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THE

Jifletitcal

AND

CHIRURGICAL REVIEW

OR COMPENDIUM OP

MEDICAL LITERATURE,

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC:

CONTAINING

A Copious Account of New Publications

MEDICINE AND SURGERY,

TOGETHER

WITH A VARIETY OF MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

RELATING TO THE

DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF MEDICINE ,

AND THE

SCIENCES CONNECTED THEREWITH

. qua: non fecxmus ipsi

VIX EA NOSTRA VOCO . Ovid .

VOL. %

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR THE EDITORS,

AND SOLD BY T. BOOSEY, NO, 4, OLD BROAD STREET ;
BELL AND BRADFUTE, EDINBURGH*;

W. GILBERT, DUBLIN;

And by all the Bookfellers in the United Kingdom,

Knight and Compton, Printers, Middle Street,

'Cloth Fair,

%e@

CONTENTS

account of books. Barclay’s new anat. nomenclat. 300

jyluckh lectures; on chem. 1,101, 181 Code’s praCt. obf. on vaccination 305
^ Falconer’s effay on the plague 20 Thomanis’s ann. de Finititut 307
Fordyce’s 5th difiertation on fever 24 Herdman’s plain dif. on influen. 312
Med. and phyfi journal, no. 51-52 35 Mirbel’ s trait de l’anat. veg. 327, 355
Bey on the origin of the cow-pock 42 Vitet’s medecine expeCtante 340
Report on the cow-pock inoculation45 Gregorys memorial on the royal in"
A fhort effay on influenza 55 firmary of Edinburgh 342

Be tt jinn s apology to the reviewers 56 Cheynel s efl. on dif. ot children 361
New Edinburgh pharmacopoeia 58 Wilkinfon’s elem. of galvanilm 364
H unnius on caufes, &c.of dy fen tery 64 Pop’s reflections on dropfy 376
Bley’s practical obf. in furgery 66, 221 Sawrey’s inquiry into the ven. poi. 394
Thornton’s faCts decifive on c. p. 80 Noble’s treatife on ophthahny 397
Aldini’s acc. of impr. in galvan. 123 The London praCt. of midwifery 404
Loder’s journal of furgery, &c. 132 Howard’s fuppl. on lues ven. 405
Johnftone's account of the difeovery HoqpeP s anatomifts vademecum 407
of mineral acid vapours for the de- Reece’s obf on lichen ifiandicus 407
Fraction of contagion 140 Wood’ s plain remarks on fever 409

Power’s attempt to inveftigate Egyp- Jamefon’ s treat, on Chelt. waters 410
tian ophthalmia 145 Jackjbn’ s remarks on the army 413

Gibbet sfecond tr. on Bathwaters 155 Togo’s obf. on the uterine difehar. 433
Lcttfom’ s appeal to the crit. rev. 163
Wilkinfon’s exp. on falix latifol. 164
Dewar on dial*, and dyfentery 168

W interbottom’s acc.of SierraLeone443
Blackburne’s faCts and obfervations
on fcarlet fever 465
JRicherand’ s elem. of phyfiology 178 Swediaur’s pharm. med. praCt. 484
Phil, tranf. 1803, p. i, 191, p. ii, 325 r Milne’s account of difeafes, &c. 490
Duncan’s annals of med. for 1802,207" Bing’s tranflation of Anftey’s ode to

Jenner 505

Qhantberlaine’s account of the new
medicine aCt 505

MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.

Wilfon on Egyptian difeafes i.

Cafe of blue boy x

On the rank of man among animals xi
Curious lufus naturae xii
Cranio-gnomic fyftem of Dr. Gall xii
On the poifonous properties of mufii-
rooms xiii

On the efteCt of condenfed air xiii
On cutaneous aeriform tranfp. xv
EffeCts of galvan. on animal fluids xvii
Directions for vaccine inoc. xviii
Plan of lectures on vaccine inoc, xix
On the rot in flieep xxi
A 2 On

Percival’s medical ethics 221
Monro’s obf. on crural hernia 236
Hunt’s hifiorical furgery 242, 263
Walker’ sobf. onconmt.of women 250
Falconer’s acc. of the influenza 250
Nott on do. 251

Moreau’s hift. nat. de la femme 251
Duncan’s Edin. new difpenfatory 253
Trotter’s medicina naut. vol. 3, 273
Peart’s effay on confumption 288
Bing’s treatife on cow-pock 289
Beddoes’s rules of the med. inflit. 290
Tirnbrell on manag. of ruptures 291
Trye on inj. of the lower limbs 292
Ford’s three letters on med. fub. 293
Berthollet’ selfai de fiat, chym, 295
Aubin’s elem de pathoh extern. 298

■CONTENTS,

On variations of weather xxiv^ xlv
On the caufes of irritability and ex¬
citability xxx

Galvan „ expert on the eye, &c. xl
On the formation of cryftals xli
N ew dhcovery in chemiftry xlii
Fixed alkalies in minerals xlii
Account of lectures in London xlii
Correfpondence with reviewers xliv
On the climate and dif of Syria xlviii
Account of an haemorrhagic dif*
polition Ivii

On ' leffening the pains of child-
bearihg Ixi

Account of, a perfon capable of fop-
porting ex. deg. of heat Ixvi
Correction of malt fpirits fxvii
Method of preferv. anat. prep. Ixvii
Goat-pock, fobTtitute for vaccine liviii
Exp. on myrtle wax, &c. Ixix
Chem. exam, of the truffle Ixxvii
.of gum kino Ixxx

On the febrifuge principle of cin¬
chona lxxxii

On Itchy cohere, from the lungs Lxxxiii
Vac. inoc. fecurity againll plague Ixxxv
On the origin of vaccine virus lxxxvi-

Extent of vaccine inoculation lxxxvi
On the danger of large dofes of fob-
limate lxxxvi i

Remarks on galvanifm Ixxxvii
Galvanic experiments lxxxviii
Effects of galvan. in difeafes lxxxix
On the electric organs of hlhes xci
On the fogar of the raifm xdv
Theory of electricity xciv
Prize queftion in forgery xcvl
Account of fpring lectures xevi
Non-contagion of yellow fever af»
ferted xcvii

On the identity of the blood cv
Chemical agency of magnetifm evi
Improvement of fpect. glaffes evii
Transfuiion of blood in a horfe eviii
Remarks on contagion cix
De Mooter on effential oils cxviii
Trials with oxide of cobalt in dif*
eafes cxviii

Obfervations on noftrums exix
View of the progrejs of medicin e
Title page
Contents.

Index

No. LV.

THE

MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL

3Hebteto*

JULY, 1803.

. . \ - . ( ■ •-

Art. I. Lectures on the Elements of Chemifry, de¬
livered in the Unwerfity of Edinburgh , by the late
Joseph Black, M. D. Pr oft for of Chemifiry
in that Univerfty y Sfc. 8Cc. Nozv publijhed from
his ManufcriptSy by John Robison, LL.D. Pro-,
fefor of Natural Philo fophy in the Univerfity of
Edinburgh. 4to. 2 vols. Price 31. 3s. London, 1803.
Longman and Rees.

THE very high and well earned reputation Dr.

Black acquired as a chemical philofopher, and
teacher of chemifiry ; the great and important fervices
he performed by his labours and difcoveries in this ah
luring field of fcience ; will make the prefent tran-
fcript of his lectures be received with no common de¬
gree of interefl. But this is not derived from any no¬
velty which the volumes before us can be expedted
to contain. The celebrity of their author drew around
him an immenfe number of hearers, from all parts,
who rapidly diffufed through the world of fcience the
knowledge of his peculiar doftrines. And it is well
known, that, for feveral years before his death, Dr.
Black’s feeble date of health precluded him from any
new or unufua! exertions, and even made him, in feme
vol. x. B degree.

Black V Elements of Chemifiry .

degree, regardlefs-of the daily improvements and dis¬
coveries making in this branch of knowledge. The
reader will find, however, a view of chemical fafts
andv doCtrines, as attractive by its perfpicuity as its
fimplicity. He will here find the germ of many of
thofe fiibfequent difcoveries which have Served to give
fame to numerous Succeeding phllofophers. To Sup¬
port his claims, by a careful and accurate exhibition
of his Sentiments and doCtrines, has been the chief
aim of the editor, whofe intimacy with the author,
during the greater part of a long life, and in the pe¬
riods of his greateft energy and powers, added to his
own exertions in this as well as other branches of na¬
tural philofophy, well qualified him for the talk he
has here undertaken. Some notes are added, chiefly
relative to the author’s peculiar doClrines, and his
claims to priority and originality ; Sometimes illustra¬
tive of the text,- and contributing to the reader's ac¬
quiring juft and philofophical notions of the fubjeCt.

In a preface of confiderable length, the learned
editor explains the motives which led him to under¬
take the work, and the obftacles he met with in ac¬
complishing it. c When I entered ferioufly on the
talk/ profeflor Rohifon obferves, € I found that
his notes were (with the exception of perhaps a Score
of leClures) in the fame imperfeCt condition that they
had been in from the beginning, confiding entirely of
Angle leaves of paper in oCtavo, full of eraftons, inter-
linings, and alterations of every kind ; fo that, in many
places, it was not very certain which of Several notes >
was to be chofem They were often in Such a date,
that I could not give them to my amanuenfts to be
transcribed ; and the only thing that could be done
was for me to diftate troni them. I took this method,
as the only Security for obtaining a fair tranfeript.
This procefs tieceffarily confumed a great deal of;
time before I got to the end. It was only then that:
I could form a judgment of the performance 5 for, as
I was going on, almoft deciphering, my attention was
\ wholly;

Black’,? Elements of Chemijlry ,

wholly engrofled by the lines before me, and I had
fcarcely any notion of a page of it, taken together.

€ I now found a difficulty of another kind. Through¬
out the whole feries of Le61ures, wherever the fuhje£t
was very plain and obvious, the manufcript contained
merely a memorandum, from which Dr. Black had
le6tured extempore; in many places, a reference was
made to fomething Handing on the table, or fomething
going forward in the furnaces. All thofe blanks were
to be filled up, before I could fay that I had made out
even a rough draught of the le£tures. This was done,
and then it only remained to make lome alterations
in the modes of expreffion, to cancel allufions to a
former day’s letture, and other circumftances of this
kind, which were not fuitable to the appearance in
the form of a book. In a few places, I found myfelf
confiderably at a lofs to afcertain the author’s mean¬
ing, when the reference was very flight, often in a
note with the pencil. I mention all tbefe circumftances,
to account for the feeming delay in the publication.
No doubt, my proceeding was flower than it would
have been had I been in good health ; but the addition¬
al delay on this account has not been confiderable.
I had the affiftance of a very fair copy of notes taken
by a ftudent, or rather manufactured by the comparifon
of many fuch notes. Copies of this kind were to be
purchafed for four or five guineas. This copy belong¬
ed to Dr. Black, and be had made many alterations
and infertions of whole pages with his own hand.
It was of confiderable fervice to me for filling up the
blanks above mentioned. Befides the notes which
Dr. Black had before him while he lectured, and
which were all put into feparate parcels, each of
which contained a ledture, there are other fmall par¬
cels, titled with the different articles of the courfe, and
containing notes and memorandums of experiments,
quotations from authors, {peculations and conjectures
on interefting fads or opinions. From tbefe alio 1 was

B 2 frequently

V Blacks Elements of Chemijlry .

frequently enabled to fupply what Dr. Black had faid
in the lefture.

e With fuch helps, I truft that I have omitted
nothing of any importance, and have every where
exprefied Dr. Black’s fentiments with accuracy.
This is always done in his own words, except in the
cafes already mentioned, where I filled up a blank in
the manufcript. Even in thofe cafes, if the words of
the above mentioned notes taken in the clafs exprefied
the fubjecf with diftindfnefs, I took them, in prefer¬
ence to any infertion of my own, as probably not
greatly differing from Dr, Black’s difcourfe. Where I
had no fuch help, I quefiion not but that the difference
between Dr. Black’s manner ofexprefiing himfelf, and
mine, will be perceived by the gentlemen who had the
pleafure of hearing him. I am fenfible that his language
had a perfpicuous fimplicity which 1 cannot attain.’

A fketch of the author’s life is next given, which
cannot fail to intereft the reader. We fhall proceed
to notice a few of the leading traits in the character
of this excellent philofopher.

c Dr. Black was born in France, on the banks of
the Garonne, in the year 1728. His father, Mr. John
Black, was a native of Belfaft in Ireland, but of a Scotch
family, which had been fome time fettled there. Mr.
Black refuted, for the moft part, at Bordeaux, where
he carried on the wine trade. Long before he retired
from bufiriefs, his fon jofeph was fen t home to Belfaft,
that he might have the education of a Britifh fubjeft.
This was in the year 1740, he being then twelve years
of age. After the ordinary inftruftion in a grammar
ichool, 8zc. he was fent, in 1746, to continue his edu¬
cation at college, in the univerfity of Glafgow. I have
no account of thofe youthful (Indies, but I prefume
that he had employed his time to good purpofe. i
infer this, partly, from fome pafiages in his father’s
letters to him, exprefTive of his great fatisfaftion with
the accounts which he had received from others
of li is progrefs in his ftudies ; and partly from the

very

BJack ' s Elements of Chemifiry . 5

very perfpicuous manner in which I have heard Dr.
BJack hate the difiinftions between the theories
of ethics which had been taught at Glafgow by Dr.
Francis Hutchefon, and, after him, by Dr. Adam
Smith. Phyfical fcience, however, had chiefly attraft-
ed his attention ; and he was a favourite pupil of the
profeflor of natural philofophy, Dr. Robert Dick, and
the intimate companion of his fon and fucceflor. This
young profeflor was of a character peculiarly fuited to
Dr. Black’s tafle, having the cleared: conception and
founded; judgment, a manly Aeadinefs of opinions
and condufl, accompanied by a modefly that was
very uncommon. When he fucceeded his father in
1751, he became the delightofhis {Indents, and was,
indeed, the mod. perfpicuous and infiruclive le£lurer
I ever heard. Yet Dr. Black informed me that he was
unhappy in the thoughts of not being fufflciently qua¬
lified for the office, and wilhed to refign it. He was
carried off by a fever in 1757, Dr. Black always ipoke
of him in terms of the higheA reipebt for his talents and
his great worth, and I could obierve that he was al¬
ways pleafed when I made him the fubjedd of con-
verfation. Dr. Dick had been the chofen friend of
his youth,

‘ Being required by his father to make choice of a
profeflion, Mr. Black preferred that of medicine, as
the mod fuited to the general habits of bis Andies, not
forefeeing, during the happy gaiety of youth, how
much he would fuffer by anxious folicitude and fears
in the practice of this noble art.

6 It was fortunate tor Dr. Black, that, when be began
his medical Audies at Glafgow, the celebrated Dr.
William Cullen had juA entered on his great career,
was become confcious of his own Arength, and faw
the great ungccupied field of philofophical chemiAry
open before him. It had been treated hitherto only
as a very curious and ufeful art, which was indeed
fufceptible of much improvement by means of ration¬
al inquiry and difeuffion. But Cullen faw in it a vaft
department of the fcience of nature, which mufi be

B 3 founded

Blacks Elements of Cheriiijlry.

founded on principles as immutable as the laws of
mechanifm, and which may be one day formed into
a great fyftem of doctrines, of various degrees of fub or¬
dination and dependance. He was determined to
attempt this mighty talk, and' promifed himfelf great
reputation by its accompli (lime nt. Nor was he al¬
together difappointed. He quickly fucceeded in
taking fchemifiry out of the hands of the artifts, the
metallurgifts, and pharmaceutics, and exhibited it as
a liberal fcience, the fludy of a gentleman. He
carried into his medical leHures the fame ideas of a
great fyftem of nature, and made his pupils perceive
fomething of that affinity by which, as Cicero finely
obferves, all the fciences are connected , tendering to
each other a mutual illuji ration and ajjijlance . His
pupils became zealous chemifts as well as refined
phyfiologifls. Young Black was particularly delight¬
ed with a view which accorded fo happily with
thofe enlarged habits of thought which he had acquir¬
ed ; and his great bias to this fludy was foon perceived
by Dr. Cullen. No profeffor took a more lively in-
t ere ft in the progrefs of an emulous ftudent than Dr*
Cullen. It was his delight to encourage and affift
their efforts, and therefore he was not long: in attach-
ing Mr. Black to himfelf, in the moft intimate co-opera¬
tion, infomuch that the latter was confidered as his af-
fiftantin all his operations $ and his experiments were
frequently adduced in the lefture, as good authority.
Thus began a mutual confidence and friendffiip, which
did honour both to the profeffor and his pupil, and
was always mentioned by the latter with gratitude and
refpeH/

Dr. Black went to Edinburgh, to finiffi bis medical
(Indies, in 1750 or 1751 ; and about this time it was
that he made his difcovery of the nature and proper¬
ties of fixed air, which he made the fubjeQ of his in¬
augural differtation. He fi r ft (hewed us the true na¬
ture of quicklime: what cauflicity is, to what fub-
flances it belongs, and how to induce it, or remove
it, or direct its activity at pleafure. Our notions on this

fubjeft

Blacks Elements of Chemiftry.

fubj eel are altogether reverfed. Lime imparts no*
thing ; it only removes from fubllances, naturally
caufiic, that air which renders them mild ; and, by this
addition, itfelf becomes mild and inadtive. Great
fimplicity is now perceived in thofe operations ot na¬
ture which formerly appeared intricate and abflrufe.
The pradfice of phylic, as well as chemiftry, has de¬
rived great advantages from the difeovery.

‘ The inaugural effay, and the precife time of its ap¬
pearance in public, were fortunate circumftances for
fcience. At this very time. Dr. Cullen was removed
to Edinburgh, and there was a vacancy in the chemi¬
cal chair at Glafgow. On whom could it be be¬
llowed with fo much propriety, as on fuch an alumnus
of the Univerfity, — on one who had diftinguiflied him-
felf, both as a chemifi: and as an excellent reafoner?
For Ihefitate not to fay, that, excepting the optics of
Newton, there is not a finer model for philofophical
invefiigation than the effay on magnefia and quick¬
lime. He was appointed profeffor of anatomy and
ledfurer on chemiftry in the univerfity of Glafgow, iri
1756. Had this vacancy not happened, it might pro¬
bably have been the lot of Dr. Black to pradtife medi¬
cine in fome provincial town of Britain or Ireland 5 and
thus occupied, the ferious concern which he took in
the cafes under his treatment would have abforbed
his whole attention, and might, perhaps, have over¬
powered his feeble conftitution. It was therefore
equally fortunate for him fe If, and for the public, that
a fituation now prefented itfelf, which allowed him
to dedicate his talents chiefly to the cultivation of che-
miftry, his favourite fcience. J

Dr. Black did not confider himfelf as well qualified
to be ufeful in the anatomical branch of his profeffor-
ihip, but was determined to do his utmoft. Soon af¬
ter, however, he made arrangements with the profef-
fqr of medicine, and, with the concurrence of the
univerfity, the profeffors exchanged their talks. f His
ledlures, therefore, on the Inftitutes of Medicine were
his chief talk. They gave the greatell fatisfadtion, by

B 4 their

8 Blacks Elements of Ghemijtry*

their perfpicuity and limplicity, and by the cautious
moderation of all his general do&rines. It required,
however, all this perfpicuity, and all this neatnefs in
the manner of exhibiting fimple truths, to create a re-
lifh for this great moderation and caution, after the
brilliant profpefts of fyftematic knowledge, to which
the ftudents had been accuftomed from the Doftor's
celebrated predeceffor. But Dr. Black had no with
to form a medical fchool, which fhould be diftin-
guiftied by fome all-comprehending doQrine. He
contented himfelf with giving a clear and fyftematic
account of as much of phyftology as he thought found¬
ed on good principles, and a fhort fketch of fuch ge¬
neral doftrines as were maintained by eminent au¬
thors, but perhaps on a lefs firm foundation. Without
this, he faid that his ftudents could not read their
writings, which in other refpefts were highly valua¬
ble. He then endeavoured to deduce a few canons
of medical pra£Hce ; and concluded with certain rules,
founded on fuccefsful practice only, but not fo dedu-
cible from the previoufty delivered principles of phyfi-
ology ; obferving, that we fhould not defpair of being
able, on fome future day, to proceed in the oppoftte
direction, deducing the firft principles entirely from
the practice. It does not appear, however, that he
had ever fatisfied himfelf with his method of treating
thofe fubjehfs. He did not encourage converfation
on thofe topics; and there are no remains of his me¬
dical lefhires to be found among his papers. I owe
the account now given of them to a refpeHable fur-
geon in Glafgow, who attended thefe lectures in the
two laft years of his profeflbrfhip in that univerftty/
f Dr. Black’s reception at Glafgow by the univerfitv
was in the higheft degree encouraging. His former
conduct there as a ftudent had not only done him
credit in his claffes, but had conciliated the affeftion
of the profeftbrs to a very great degree. When he
returned to his Alma Mater Academia as a profeffor,
he was immediately connected in the ftrifiteft friend-

ftiip

Blacks Elements of Chenufry,, 9

ihip with the celebrated Dr. Adam Smith ; a friend-
fhip which became more and more intimate and con¬
fidential through the whole of their lives. A certain
fimplicity of character, with an incorruptible integrity,
which was acutely fenfible to the fmalleft indelicacy /
or incorreCtnefs, was initantly feen by each of thefe
friends in the character of the other, and riveted the
band of their union. Dr. Smith ufed to fay, that no
man had lefs nonfenfe in his head than Dr. Black;
and he often acknowledged himfelf obliged to him
for fetring him right in his judgment of character, con-
felling that he himfelf was apt to form his opinion too
generally from a fingle feature. Indeed, were I to
fay what intellectual talent Dr. Black polfelfed in the
moft uncommon degree, I think I lliould fav that it was
his judgment of human character, and a talent which
he had of expreffing his opinion in a fingle fhort phrafe,
which fixed it in the mind, never to be forgottep- Dr,
Smith's pictures of men had not always this precife
fimiiitude, he being more apt to decide haftily of cha¬
racter; and he was not unfrequently miftaken in the
judgments he formed on a fhort acquaintance.

‘ When I returned to College in 1763, l found Dr.
Black in high reputation as a profelfor, and a favourite
phyfician of that large and aCtive city. Indeed, his
fweetnefs of manner, which the dulled: eve malt have
perceived to be free -from all ftudious endeavour to
pjeafe, and the evident concern which he, took in the
cafes under his care, could not but make him a moft
welcome vifitor in every family. His countenance,
at that time of life, was equally engaging as his man¬
ners were attractive, fo that 1 do not wonder that, in
the general popularity of his character, he was in par¬
ticular a favourite with the ladies. I could not but
remark that they regarded themfelves as honoured by
the attentions of Dr, Black; for thefe were not indis¬
criminately beftowed, but exclufivdy paid to thofe
who evinced a luperiorify in mental accompliftiments,

10 Black V Elements of Chemijlry .

or propriety of demeanour, and in grace and elegance
of manners.*

c It was at this time, between the years 1759 and
1763, that he brought to maturity thofe (peculations
concerning the combination of heat or fire with the
fubftance of tangible matter, which had long occupied
his thoughts occafionally. The Simple experiments
and familiar observations by which he demonftrated
the fixation (I may call it) of heat in bodies when it
melts or evaporates them, render the inference fo pal¬
pable and obvious, that one is difpofed to wonder that
it had not been made long before. But it is really
not fo obvious, and it requires attentive reflection
to conceive diftin£tly the procedure of nature. When
I lift a piece of wood out of fome box or veflel, where
every thing has been kept extremely cold, I feel it
cold in my hand. If I lift out of the fame box a piece
of lead, it feels colder ft i'll ; and a piece of ice from
the fame place feels colder than either. The firft
fuggeftion of fenfe is, that I receive cold from the
wood ; — more from the lead ; — -and that the ice proves
a fource of cold till it be all melted. But the per™
fon who is habituated to the coniideration of things of
this nature makes an inference which is precifely the
contrary to all this. Such a perfon infers that the
wood takes a little heat from his hand, and is foon
warmed fo much as to take no more. The lead takes
more heat from him before it be as much fatiated ;
and the ice continues to rob him of heat as fail as in
the firft moment, and therefore feels equally cold till
all be melted. Dr. Black made this inference. He
had alfo fome vague notion that the heat fo received
by the ice, during its conversion into water, was not
loft, but was contained in the water. His chief in¬
ducement to think fo, was a curious observation of
Fahrenheit, recorded by Dr. Boerhaave, namely, that
water would fome times grow considerably colder than
melting Snow, without, freezing, and would freeze in

a mo

Blacks Elements of Chemiftry .

a moment, if difturbed, and in the a 61 of freezing
emitted many degrees of heat.

5 But how was this conje&ure to be confirmed or
refuted? Dr. Black hoped to do this by comparing
the time of railing a pound of water one degree in its
temperature, with the time required for melting a
pound of ice, both being fuppofed to receive the heat
equally fall:. And on the other hand, by comparing the
time of deprefiing the temperature of a pound of water
one degree with the time necefifary for freezing it com¬
pletely, he fhould learn how much heat emerged
during the congelation. If the conjedture be juft, as
much heat mull be obferved to come out of the pound
of water in freezing as were loft in melting a pound
of ice. This thought occurred to him in the Summer
leafon ; and as there was no ice-honfe then in Glafgow,
he waited with impatience for the winter ; and in
December 1761 he made the decifive experiment,
in a large hall adjoining to his college rooms, expend¬
ing on the ice during its liquefadfion, and obtaining
from the water during its congelation, as much heat
as would have raifed the water fomewhat more than
140 degrees in its temperature.

* But I muft obferve here, that this experiment, fo
anxioufly longed for by Dr. Black, only ferved to in¬
form him how much heat was thus a b for bed by the
ice, retained by the water while fluid, and emitted by
it in the act of freezing. But he had already full con¬
viction .of the truth of the doctrine by reflecting on the
obfervations of every day of iroft or thaw. Since a
fine winter day of funfhine did not at once clear the
hills of fnow, nor a froftv night luddenly cover the
ponds with a thick cake of ice. Dr. Black was already
convinced that much heat was absorbed and fixed
in the water which (lowly trickled from the wreaths
of fnow; and, on the other hand, that much heat emerg¬
ed from it while it was as (lowly changing into ice.
For, during a thaw, a thermometer will always fink
when removed from the air into melting fnow; and
- during

1 2 Blacks Elements of Chemijlry .

during fevere froft, it will rife when plunged into freez¬
ing water. Therefore, in the fir ft cafe, the fnow is
receiving heat, and, in the laft, the water is allowing
it to emerge again. Thele were rnoft unqueftionable
inferences, from obfervations the moft familar , and
they now appear moft obvious and eafy: yet, betore
Dr. Black, no perfon feems to have made them.
Fahrenheit, Boerhaave, Mairan, De Luc, and all the
inquifitive meteorologifts of the two preceding cen¬
turies, though inceftantly contemplating and employ¬
ing the fame facts in their difquifitions, never mention
having had fuch a thought; nor is a trace of it to be
feen in the laborious collections of that unwearied
compiler, profeffor Mufchenbroeck. It is the undi¬
vided property of my ingenious and acute preceptor/

* Dr. Black quickly perceived the- vaft importance
of this difcovery ; and took a pleafure in laying before
his ftudents a view of the extenftve and beneficial
effefts of this habitude of heat in the economy of na¬
ture. He made them remark how by this means there
was accumulated, during the furnmer feafon, a vaft
magazine of heat, which, by gradually emerging,
during congelation, from the water which covers, the
face of the earth, ferve's to temper the deadly, cold of
winter. Were it not for this quantity of heat, amount¬
ing to 145 degrees, which emerges from every particle
of water as if freezes, and which diffufes itfelf through
the atmofphere, the fun would no fooner go a few de¬
grees to the fouth of the equator than we ihould fee!
all the horrors of winter.

6 His thoughts on this combination of heat were not
confined to the Ample cafe of water, but extended to
every phenomenon of congelation and liquefaction, not
even excepting the changes which are effected by the
functions of animal and vegetable life. He conceived
the accretion of folid matter as a fource of a part at
leaf! of the warmth of animals.’

4 There is fuch an analogy between the ceffation of
thermometric expansion, during the liquefaction of ice,

arH

Blacks Elements of Chemiftry .

and during the eonverfioh of water il, :Am, that Dr.
-Black had no fooner explained the flu ' tnofe ano¬
malies, than he felt in his own mind that a is former
conjeddures about a variety of phenomena in he boil¬
ing and even in the gentle evaporation of fluids were
well founded; and he was perfuaded that in the tame
manner as ice, in liquefa/Hon, requires the combina¬
tion of a great quantity of heat, in order to form water,
fo water, in order to its conveifion into fleam, alfo re¬
quires another combination with beat, in an unknown
proportion. When he conlidered the flow production
of fleam, notwithstanding the continued heat of glow¬
ing fuel in contact with the veflel, — the (balding power
of fleam, — -and the great heat raifed in the refrigeratory
of a (till, — he was (o much convinced of the perfect
Similarity of Nature's procedure in both cafes, that he
taught this doctrine in his leCtures in 1761, before he
had made a tingle experiment bn the fubjecf ; and he
explained, with great felicity of argument, many phe¬
nomena of nature which refuit from this vapor fie com¬
bination of heat' — It is needlefs to fay how amply
this was confirmed by fubfequent experiments.

The influence of this laft combination of heat in re-
fpebi to the accommodation of the wants of the inhabi¬
tants of this globe is great and extenflve. e In the equa¬
torial regions/ profeffor Robifon obferves, c the op-
preflive heat of the fun is prevented from a deflru drive
accumulation by copious evaporation. The waters,
ftored with their vaporific heat, are thus carried aloft
into the atmofphere, till the rareft of the vapour reaches
the very cold regions of the air, which immediately
forms a (mail portion of it into a fleecy cloud. This
alfo farther tempers the fcorching heat by its opacity,
performing the acceptable office of a fereen. From
thence, the clouds are carried to the inland countries,
to form the fources in the mountains, which are to
fupply the numberlefs ftreams that water the fields.
And, by the fteady operation of caufes which are
tolerably uniform, the greater part of the vapours pafs

1 4 Black’.? Elements of Chemijlry .

on to the circumpolar regions, there to defcend in
rains and dew.s ; and in this beneficent ccnverfion in¬
to rain by the cold of thofe regions, each particle of
ft earn gives up the 700 or 800 degrees of heat which
were latent in it. Thefe are immediately dlffufed, and
foften the rigour of thofe lefs comfortable climates.’

* Dr. Black continued in the univerfity of Glafgow
from 1756 to 1766, much refpedted as an eminent
profieffor, much employed as an able and molt attentive
phyfician, and much beloved as an amiable and ac-
complifhed gentleman, and happy in the enjoyment
of a fmall but a feledt fociety of friends. Often, how¬
ever, have I feen how oppreffive his medical duties
were to his fpirits, when he faw that all his efforts
did not alleviate the bufferings of the diftrefled, When
his dear friend Dr. Dick was carried off. Dr. Black’s
dill refs was indeed exceedingly great, particularly, as
he thought that another mode of treatment might have
been more fuccefsfuh

€ in the mean time, his reputation as a chemical phl-
lafopher was every day increafmg, and pupils from
foreign countries carried home with them the pecu¬
liar doff rines of his courfes ; and fixed air and latent
heat began to be fpoken of among the naturaMs on
the continent. The progrefs, however, of this dif-
fufien of knowledge muff have been How, had things
continued in the fame train. But in 1766 Dr. Cullen,
chemical profelfor in Edinburgh, was appointed pro-
feifor of medicine, and thus a vacancy was made in
the chemical chair of that univerfity. There was but
one wifli with refpedf to a fucceffor. Indeed, when
the vacancy happened in 1756, by the death of Dr,
Plummer, the reputation of young Black was fo high,
as a perfon not only ingenious and inventive, but An¬
gularly correct and logical in his manner of thinking
and writing, that, had the choice depended on the
univerfity, the newly graduated phyfician would have
been profeffor of chemiftry. He had now, in 1766,
greatly added to his claim of merit, by his more im¬
portant

Black V Elements of Chemlftry* 1 15

portant difcovery of the procedure of nature in pro*
ducing fluidity and vapour ; and he had acquired the
high efteem of all, by the Angular moderation and
fcrupulous caution which marked all his refearchesd
c Dr. Black was appointed to the chemical chair at
Edinburgh, to the general fatisfadfion of the public ;
but the univerfity of Glafgow thence fuftained an ir»
reparable lofs. In this new fcene his talents were
more confpicuous, and more extenflvely ufefuh He
faw this ; and while he could not but be highly gra-
tifled by the great concourfe of pupils, which the re¬
putation of the medical colleges of Edinburgh brought
to his ledtures, his mind was forcibly impreffed by the
importance of his duties as their teacher. This had
an effedl, of which it is difficult to fay whether it has
been fortunate for the public or not. Dr. Black now
formed the Arm refolution of directing his whole ftudy
to the improvement of his fcholars in the elementary
knowledge of chemiftry. He faw too many of them
with a very fcanty flock of previous learning. He
had many from the workfhop of the manufacturer
who had none at all ; and he faw that the number of
fuch hearers mufl increafe with the increaAng adtivity
and profperity of the country: and thefe appeared to
him as by no means the lead important part of his au¬
ditory. To engage the attention of fuch pupils, and
to be perfectly underflood by the moft illiterate, was
eonfldered by Dr. Black as his moft facred duty.
Plain doctrines, therefore, taught in the plaineft man¬
ner, mufl employ his chief ftudy. That no help may
be wanting, ail mufl be illuftrated by fuitable experi¬
ments, by the exhibition of fpecimens, and the ma¬
nagement of chemical proceffes. Nice and abftrufe
philofophical opinions would not in ter eft fuch hearers;
and any dodtrines, inculcated in a reAned manner,
and referring to elaborate difquifltions of others, would
not be underflood by the major part of an audience of
young perfons, as yet only beginning their ftudies.

< To

Blacks Elements of Ckemiftry *

* To this refolution Dr. Black rigidly adhered, endea¬
vouring every year to make his courfes more plain and
familiar, and iljuflrating them by a greater variety of
examples in the way of experiment. No man could
perform thefe 'more neatly and fuccefsfuily. They
were always ingenioufiy and judicioufly contrived,
clearly edabllthing the point in view, and nevermore
than fufficed for, this purpofe. While he fcorned the
quackery of a (bowman, the fimplicity, rieatnefs, and
elegance, with which they were performed, were
truly admirable. Indeed, th tjimplex munditiis (lamp¬
ed every thing that he did. I think it was the unper¬
ceived operation of this impreffion that made Dr.
Black's leflures fuch a treat to all his fcholars. They
were not only inilmcled, but (they knew not how)
delighted ; and without any effort to pleafe, but folely
by the natural emanation of a gentle and elegant mind,
co-operating, indeed, with a mpflperfpicuous exhibition
of his fentiments, Dr. Black became a favourite lec¬
turer ; and many were induced, by the report of his
Undents, to attend his courfes, without having any
particular relifh for chemical knowledge, but merely
in order to be pleafed. This, however, contributed
greatly to the extending the knowledge of chemiftryi
and it became a fafhionable part of the accomplishment
of a gentleman.’

Thus was laid the foundation of a new branch of
faience. Pneumatic Ckemiftry , which began to be
cultivated with ardour in all parts of Europe. The
aerial fluids became as familiar, and as eafily managed,
as the tangible fubflances which we are accuftomed
to handle: they were mixed and fubjeQed to all the
torturing degrees of heat, and palled from retort to
retort ; and, in Ihort, were examined in every way
that imagination could fug g eft. Dr. Robifon obferves,
mod judly, that the two difcoveries of Dr. Black, —
fixed air, and combined heat,-- gave the incitement,
pointed out the road, and furnilhed the chief helps

Black V Elements of Ghemijlry* IT

for purfuing the improvements which have fince been
made in this in ter e (ling branch of chemiftry.

c It is reafonable to fuppofe that he took an adiive
part in thofe keen refearches, which have thus occu¬
pied the attention of the philofophers. But, alas!—
iC his lot forbade.” His conftitution had always been
exceedingly delicate. The flighted cold, the mod
trifling approach to repletion, immediately affedted his
bread, occationed feverifhnefs, and, if continued for
two or three days, brought on a (pitting of blood.
In this (ituation, nothing redored him to cafe but re¬
laxation of thought and g-entle exereife. The feden-
tary life to which ftudy confined him was manifeftly
hurtful; and he never allowed himfelf to indulge in
any interife thinking, or puzzling refearch, without
finding thefe complaints fenfibly increafed.

4 Thusdtuated, Dr. Black was obliged to be content*
ed as the fpedlator of the fuccefsful labours of others.
So completely trammelled was be in this refpedt, that
although his friends law others difingenuous enough to
avail themfelves of the novelties announced by Dr*
Black in his lectures, without acknowledging the obli¬
gation, and were thCnce afraid that their friend’s claim
of originality and priority might become doubtful ;
and although they repeatedly urged him to publifh an
account of what he had done, this remained unaccom-
piiflied to the lad. Dr. Black often began the talk;
but was fo nice in his. notions of the manner in which
it fliould be executed, that the pains he took in form¬
ing a plan of the work never failed to affedt his health,
and oblige him to defift.’

Dr. Black was no lefs averfe to appear before the
public as an author ; and the only works he publifhed
were, his thefis De Acido a cibis onto ; his Experiments
on Magnejia , Quicklime , and other alkaline Subfiances ;
his Obfervations on the more ready freezing of W ater
that has been boiled , publifhed in the Philofophical
Tran factions of London in 1774; and his Analyjis of
the fVaters of fome boiling Springs in Iceland \ given

Black Elements of Chemijlry ,

in the Tranf actions of the Royal Society of Edin¬
burgh.

Dr. Black's charadler in private life was of the moil
amiable calk In the fociety of a few efteemed friends
[he was never married] he palled his days calmly, but
cheerfully j refpe£ted and beloved. * His confutation
never was robuft, and, as he advanced in years,
became gradually more delicate and frail ; fo that
every cold he caught occafioned fome degree of (pit¬
ting of blood. Yet he feemed to have this unfortu¬
nate difpofition of body almoft under command, fo that
he never allowed it to proceed far, or to occafion any
diftreffing illnefs; and he thus fpun his thread of life
to the laft fibre j and even this does not feem to have
broken, but merely to have ended. cc He guarded
againft illnefs by reftridb’ng himfelf to a moderate,
or, I fhould rather call it, an abftemious diet $ and he
“ met his increafing infirmities with a proportional
increafe of attention and care, — regulating his food
ee and exercife by the meafure of his ftrength. It is
*e wonderful with what fkill and fuccefs he thus
made the molt of a feeble conftitution, by thus pre-
venting the accefs of difeafe from abroad. He en«
joyed a health which was feeble indeed, but fcarcely
*c interrupted, and a mind ever undifturbed, in the calm
and cheerful ufe of all his faculties. A life fo pro-
longed had the advantage of prefen t eafe, and the
€c profpeft, when the juft period ftiould arrive, of acalm
€C diffolution.”— His only apprehenfion was that of a
long-continued fick bed : and this perhaps lefs from
any felfifh feeling than from the humane confideration
of the trouble and diftrefs occafioned to attending:

friends ; and never was this mod eft and generous with
more completely gratified. f£ On the 26th Nov.
€e 1799, and in the feventy-firft year of his age, he ex-?
<sc pired, without any convulfton, (hock, or ftupor, to
announce or retard the approach of death. Being
«c at table, with his ufual fare, fome bread, a few
prunes, and a meafured quantity of milk, diluted

“ with.

Black’,? Elements of Chemijlry. 19

& with water, and having the cup in his hand when
xt the laft ftroke of his pulfe was to be given, he had
fet it down on his knees, which were joined to-
<c gether, and kept it fteady with his hand, in the man-
ner of a perfon perfectly at eafe ; and in this attitude
cc expired, without fpilling a drop, and without a
cc writhe in his countenance ; as if an experiment had
been required to fhew to his friends the facility with
which he departed/’ His fervant opened the door
to tell him that fome one had left his name, but, get¬
ting no anfwer, ftepped about half way towards him ;
and feeing him fitting in that eafy poifure, Supporting
his bafon of milk with one hand, he thought that he
had dropped afleep, which he had fometimes feen hap¬
pen after his meals. He went back, and fhut the
door ; but before he got down hairs, fome anxiety,
which he could not account for, made hirn return and
look again at his matter. Even then, he was fatisfied,
after coming pretty near him, and turned to go away ;
but again returned, and, coming quite clofe to him, he
found him without life/

In our next we propofe to notice the chief obferva-
tions of the learned editor, as furnilhed in the Notes
at the end of the volumes. They will intereft the
reader, not only as vindicating the author’s claims to
his own difcoveries, the merit of which has in various
inftances been attempted to be purloined from him,
Specially by our Gallic neighbours ; but alfo as in
fome meafure fupplying the chafm which the advances
of the fcience of chemiliry have made fince the time
the lectures of Dr. Black were drawn up. To ef¬
fect this, and to complete fome articles which re¬
mained in a very imperfect ftate in the author’s ma~
nufcripts, profeffor Robifon announces his intention
of publifhing an Appendix, in which will be particu¬
larly confidered the chemical analyfis of animal and
vegetable fubftances, and the doflrine of fermenta¬
tion,

C 2

Art.

Art. II. An EJjay on the Plague : alfo a Sketch of a
Plan of Internal Police, propofed as a Means of pre¬
venting the Spreading of the Plague, Jhould it be in¬
troduced into this Country . By W. Falconer*
M.D. F.ll.S. Phyfician to the Bath Hofpital. 1 2mo,
71 pages, price 2s. London, 1801. Robinsons.

IN every age, Dr. Falconer obferves, fome one par¬
ticular difeafe has, from its prevalence or fatality*
been regarded with particular apprehenfion and
dre&d. In early times, the leprofy feems to have
been viewed in this light 3 but this, confidered as a
contagious difeafe, has long difappeared from the
hiftory of medicine, and has probably been eradicated
for many ages. Another more mortal, and not lefs in-
fe£tious, has fucceeded to the leprofy, and become an
objeft of terror equal at lead to the former. The diF
cafe called Kqi[lo; by the Greek, and Peftis by the Latin
writers, and which we tranflate the Plague , has been
figuratively ufed to fignify the greated milchief that
could happen, and to denote objects that were likely
to produce the greateft public misfortune. But whe¬
ther the difeafe which we call by this name be the
fame with that defcribed by the writers of antiquity*
Is a matter of doubt: it appears, however, in fome in-
ftances of its occurrence, to have been a didemper
equally mortal.

Before entering on the fubjeft of prevention , which
is the main objedl of the prefent effay, Dr. Falconer
gives a brief hiftory of the plague and its cure, as far
as this is prafticable ; taken from the accounts of
thofe modern writers, who have been eye-witneffes of
Its effefts. The chief of thefe ate Hodges , Sydenham ,
and RuJfeL Dr. F feems to infinuate, that no fmali
lhare of the mortality formerly obferved in this difeafe
may be attributed to the fweating regimen then com¬
monly employed for its cure, which he calls can extra¬
vagant and unnatural pra&iced Yet it is a practice
^ ... ~ which

Falconer on the Plague,

which almoft all writers worthy of credit
have concurred in recommending, and affords, ao
cording to their teflimonv, the chief means of re-
lief, in fo far as the difeafe is relievable by art. And
Dr. Cullen , it may be obferved, confidered the evi¬
dence in its favour fufficiently flrong to induce him
to recommend it, and to point out the beft means of
conducing the fweats, in order to procure a crifis to
the fever.

In room of the fweating plan, Dr. Falconer advifes
the cool regimen, as pracfifed in the fmall-pox, to
its utmofl extent, Savary , in his letters on Egypts
mentions an anecdote which Dr. F. considers as much
to his purpofe. c A captain of a (hip, whofe failors
had contracted the plague at Confiantinople, caught
it himfelf, by attending on them: he felt, as he ex-
preffed himfelf, exceffive heat, which made his blood
boil : the difeafe feized his head, and he perceived
(as he thought) that he had only a few moments to
live. The little remaining reafon he had, taught him.
to attempt an experiment : he laid himfelf down
quite naked on the deck: the heavy dews that fell,
penetrated, according to his fenfations, to his very
bones. In a few hours he could breathe better, his
agitated blood became calm, and, bathing the morn¬
ing after in the fea, be was perfe6tly cured.

< This ftory bears a flrong analogy to a fimilar re¬
covery in the fmall-pox, mentioned by Sydenham,
of a perfon, who, after being treated according to the
hot regimen, was thought to have expired, and was
accordingly laid out, the windows opened, and the
body llripped and expofed to a flream of cold air. This
recovered him ; and in a fhort time/ by perfevering iu
the cool regimen, he recovered perfeStly.’

4 Should it be required,’ the author obferves, c that
what is meant by the cool regimen fhould be ex¬
plained, I anfwer in a few words. Avoidance of a
warm bed , and , indeed , of a bed altogether, if pofjibles
iri the day-time ; a circulation of free and cool air,

C 3 light

22 Falconer on the Plague .

light clothing, cool drinks, and particularly colcj
water. This is perfedlly confident with the applies-?
tion of remedies for particular purpofes, as, mild pur¬
gatives or injections to obviate coftivenefs ; with the
life of the Peruvian bark, as a tonic or antifeptic, and
that of opiates, and even of bliders, to relieve or
moderate occafional fymptoms. — -But if any material
benefit is to be expedted from the ufe of this regimen,
it mu ft be tried largely and fieadily ; not as if cold
liquor were an indulgence permitted, or allowed*
but as a remedy enjoined, on which the principal de.-
pendance was placed. The proportion in which it
is taken muft no doubt be regulated by good fenfe
and obfervation, not by prejudice and impetuofity j
but dill wre mud not err on the fide of timidity, as
every moment is precious in a difeafe of fuch rapid
progrefs. It appears to me to be a material point to
oppofe the very commencement of the fweating ftage.
The patient mud therefore be kept out of bed*
and ,on every appearance of perfpiration have cold
water adminidered, and a larger proportion of cold
air admitted.’ — In addition to this, Dr. Falconer re¬
commends the external ufe ot cold water, in the
manner pointed out by Dr. Currie , of Liverpool.
This plan, undoubtedly, is well worthy of trial; bur
its entire fuccefs would not neceffarily vitiate the ob-
fervations made in favour' of the fweating plan, which,
however, on the whole, might be far inferior as a ge¬
neral remedy to the former. Experience here muft
decide between the two, but this we are not yet in
poffeffion of. ' .

Looking on the plague as indubitably contagious,
though exerting its influence at no great didance
from the infefted perfon or fubdance, Dr. Falconer
proceeds to point out the means bed calculated to
check its progrefs, and to dedroy or render innocent
the infeftious effluvia. Thefe means, it is obferved,
are -as fimple as they are effectual, and con lift in no¬
th 11

Falconer on the Plague. |2S

tiling more than in the dilution of the poifonous matter
In the air to fuch a degree as to render it inadtive, and
this joined with cautions to prevent the adtual con-
tadt of the virus. In totally excluding chemical
agents, as corredtors of contagion. Dr. Falconer , we
prefume, has gone rather too far : the evidence in their
favour is fufficiently Itrong, whilft they do not ne»
ceffarily exclude or interfere with the other more
pie means of effecting the purpofe.

c We have no reafon to doubt,’ the author obferves*

* that the infedtious matter of all difeafes is capable
of undergoing a folution in the atmofphere. The air
thus contaminated can be diluted with nothing but
air that is frelh, and on this depend all the methods
of prefervation, except what regards contadt of the
virus. All correctors of the fpccific nature; of the con¬
tagion I regard as at bed uncertain, and moft of them
Incompatible with that change of air which is required
for the purpofe I recommend. None of them appear
to poffefs any advantages fuperior to what may be
gained by change of air; and, as they may induce peo¬
ple to negledt what is material, I with to induce
them not to pradtife any ot them whatfoever. — ' The
fphere of infedtion in the fm all-pox has been proved
not to, extend, in general, above two feet from its
fource, confidered as a centre, and we have great rea¬
fon to think that it is equally infedtious with the plague.
By a free circulation of air this fphere may be farther
reduced, infomuch as to render fecure the fervices
which attendants may adminifter to the tick. Except
this can be accomplhhed, all attempts to put a flop to
the infedtion will be unavailing. Humanity and the
ties of affection will not admit of people dying an a ffi fl¬
ed and unattended; and if the infedtion cannot be pre¬
vented from fpreading to thofe who perforin thefe
duties, it rnuft foon become general.

* Every circumftance, then, that can promote a free
pirculation of air In the chambers of the Tick muft be

C 4 attended

<>4 FordyceV Fifth Differtation on Fever,

attended to* and we muff: lay afide all prejudices about
injuring them by expoftng them to cold air, which
are frivolous and unimportant, compared with the ne-
ceffity which there is for a different management/

The particular means enjoined, as they refpeft do-
nieffic management and external police, are all of
eonfiderable moment, and the beff, probably, which
could be devifedo They do not, however, require
more particular notice here.

Art. III. A Fifth Differ tation on Fever , con¬
taining the Hiftory of and Remedies to be employ¬
ed in, irregular continued Fevers ; together with
a general Conclufion to the four preceding and pre-
fent Differ tations . By the late George Foedyce,
ALD. Sic. Sic. Edited by W. C. Wells, M.D.
F.R.Si Phyjician to St. Thomas's II of pit at. 8vos
70 pages, price 2s. 6d, London, 1803. Johnson,

JT muff be highly fat is factory to the medical world,
that the excellent author of the Effay before us fhould
have lived to finifli his important Hiftory of Fever and
its remedies; a work unequalled, we believe, either in
ancient or in modern times, and which exhibits
the moft ff liking proofs of the author’s talent for obfer-
vation, and of the foundnefs of his judgment. It is ab
moft the only fvftematic treatife on the fubjeft of
fever that is not contaminated by idle and ufelefs fpe-
culations with regard to the proximate caufe, the in-
yeftigation of which has never tailed to obfcure the
hiftory of the fymptoms, and to influence improperly
the plan of treatment recommended. Of this it would
be eafy to adduce ftriking examples from all the writers
of the greateft note, from the time of Galen to that of
. the celebrated Cullen-, It has been our aim, in notio

s s

Fordyce’s Fifth Differ tation vn Fever ;

Ing the preceding Di deviations fl to give as complete
a view of the author’s fentiments and doctrines as
pur limits permitted y and we fhall purfue the fame
plan with regard to the prefent, which, free as it is#
aim oft entirely, from unfounded fpeculations, leaves
but little room fof comment.

The object pf the author now is, to point out the
clifeafes which may be complicated with, and the ir¬
regularities and accidents which may occur in, con¬
tinued fevers. The firft of thefe taken notice of is Ge*°
neral Inflammation , a term peculiar to the author, by
which, our readers wall recollect, is meant that increak
pd ftate of vafcular aftion which commonly accom¬
panies extenfive local inflammation in ftrong habits,
and which has generally been called fymptomatic
fever.

When general inflammation takes place at the be¬
ginning of continued fevers, it alters their progrefs
very much, and occafions a difference not only in the
appearances, but in the treatment, of the difeafe. It
rarely takes place in large towns, where the atmofphere
is varioufly contaminated, but is frequent in the coun¬
try, and in men of vigorous habits. It commonly takes
place alfo in cold climates ; rarely in hot; and more
frequently in the fpring feafon than in autumn.

There are three dangers, the author obferves, arifing
from general inflammation : one, left the increafed
action of the heart and arteries fhould throw forward
fuch a quantity of blood upon the brain as to induce
a fatal delirium : a fecund, leftthe fame affion fhould
fo hurt the brain as to make it unable to bear that
rnifchief which induces delirium : and, laftly, left the'
lenfion, produced by the blood being thrown by the
ftrong aft ion ot the heart and arteries into the fmall

* For an ample account of thefe, fee Med, and Chir. Rev,, vols. i. p.
J33~ii. 420— v, 134 — vi. 421, 501— ix, 14, 113.

veffels

26 FordyceT Fifth Differ tation on Fever \

veffels throughout the fyftem, fhould be fuddenlj?
•taken off, and the patient fink.

Thefe dangers may be obviated by blood letting:
but the propriety of employing this evacuation is a
point fomewhat difficult to determine. c SuppofingF
the author obferves, c that after having made large eva¬
cuations by opening a blood veffel, the pradlitioner
fhould not be able to carry off tbe difeafe by the means
which are amply laid down in the Treatife on Regular
Fever, it would then of neceffity go through its courjfe*
and thefe difficulties would occur. In the firfl place*
Inch a degree of weaknefs is induced, as, added to the
depreffion of ftrength, which arifes in confequence of the
fever, often produces fymptoms of putrefaction in the
fecond week of the difeafe, fo as to prove fatal. Many
infiances of this have come under the author's obferva-
tion. In the next place, fuppofing fuch fymptoms of
putrefaQion have not made their appearance, yet a,
fatal degree of weaknefs has arifen towards the end
of the fever, from the living power being obliged to
exert itfelf in contradling the veffels to the fmaller, and
fmaller quantity of blood that is left in them. This hap¬
pens, firfl, from the evacuation made by bleeding $
fecond Iy, from the want of tbe powers of digeftion to
form a Sufficient quantity of blood, if even food could
be exhibited $ hence the patiept has funk, and beeq
(deftroyed.

e The author cannot help lamenting, on thisoccafion,
the terrible proportion laid down in an aphorifm of Dr*
Boerhaave, that it is difficult to diminifh the ftrength at ,
the beginning of fevers, but eafy to fupport it towards (
the end ; the contrary of which he has found by long
experience to be true. This proportion of Boerhaave,
irom the year 1730 to the year 1760, deftroyed more
men than fell in battle in the whole of that period,
during two dreadful wars in Europe.

It will well behove, therefore, a praQi boner to weigh
both (ides of the argument before he proceeds to em¬
ploy the lancet at the beginning of continued fevers.

Fordycef? Fifth DiJJertation on Fever . 21

If die danger from the general inflammation is great;
if it very much overbalances the mifchief that would
arife afterwards ; he will then undoubtedly take away a
quantity of blood, by opening a blood veSTeld

Refpeding the quantity of blood that it may be
necelTary to take away, the author obferves that there
is very rarely any danger from the general inflamma¬
tion, which can be obviated by the lofs of lefs than ten
ounces ; and it may be proper to take away as much
as fixteen or twenty. The quantity, however, fhoulc|
be taken at once, and not by repeated fmall bleedings ;
as, by the former mode, there will be greater temporary
but lefs permanent weaknefs induced by the evacuation.

Plethora alfo may be a reafon for taking away blood*
and, to remove this, eight or ten ounces will be always
futhcient : plethora rarely takes place but from the
age of 16 to 35, and, when it does, is pointed out by a
particular feel of the pulfations of the arteries, they
feeling always full with foftnefs, and hardly receding
from the finger. This ftate of the pulfehas been called
oppreflion. But the author wiilies it to be under¬
flood, that thefe reafons for taking away blood at the
beginning of fever muft be clear to a practitioner before
he ventures to bleed ; for there have been more patients,
he fays, deft rayed by a contrary pradice in fevers, than
by any others whatever.

The firft irregularity taken notice of is, the fever not
affecting every part of the fyftem equally, the fymptoms
being lefs fevere in one part of it than in another. This,
which the young and inexperienced praClitioner, and the
by-fianders in a much greater degree, are apt to think is
fortunate for the patient, is, ill fad, the very reverfe ;
there being nothing more dangerous in fever, the au¬
thor obferves, than its not affeding every part of the
fyflem in an equal degree.

f Sometimes a fever does not attack a patient all at
once, and he cannot exafilly afcertain the time at
which the firft attack took place. In this cafe moft
commonly the fyftem is not equally affeded. In the next

*28 Fordyceh* Fifth Differ tation on Fever.

place, it fometrmes happens, that although the fever
came on in fuch a manner that the patient can perfect¬
ly afeertain the time of the attack, yet at that time he
felt no fenfe of coldnefs, or, as he generally expreffes
himfelf, chillinefs. If this fhould happen, the fever is:
often irregular, but not fo frequently ah in the former
cafe. In the third place, when the attack comes on,
the depreffion of ftrength is feme times in a much
greater degree than the appearances of the contraction
of the fmall veftels, and fo me times the reverfe. If the

depreffion of ftrength be greater than in proportion to
the con traSS on of the fmall veftels, there is greater
danger of delirium, fuch as has already been deferibed,
,at the beginning of the fecond week of fever. If the
appearances of contraction of the fmall veftels be
greater in proportion than the depreffion of ftrength,
there is lefs chance of a critis, and a greater probability
of the difeafe running out to a great length. In the
fourth place, the fymptoms, not found in particular
parts of the body, are the patient's being either totally
free from head-ach, or very ilightly affected with it ; the
tongue's not being covered with a cruft, not only at
the beginning, but like wife through the firff week of
the difeafe ; there being no coftivenefs, but rather
too great evacuations from the inteftines. This laflfymp-
tom fometimes increafes to a diarrhoea, which, be (ides,
the irregularity it fhows in a want oF equal affection in
the difeafe, tends alfo very much to weaken the patient.
The appetite not being totally loft is a very deceitful
fymptom, becaufe it would give an inexperienced prac¬
titioner the idea, that food might be eafily digefted, and
fo the ftrength be prevented from being exhaufted
during the progrefs of the difeafe. The fkin’s being
loft and moifr, and the deep not being at the beginning
of the fever very- much difturbed, are alfo to be regarded
as irregularities. It one, or two, or three, of thefe mild
appearances fhould take place, and all the other fymp¬
toms fhould not be equally mild, the fever is likely to

run

FordyceV Fifth Dijfertation on Fever .

run out for a great length of time, and has a much
lefs chance of being terminated by a crifis.

* This is not only the cafe, but every attempt to carry
off the fever by any remedy is fruftrated. Every me¬
dicine, fuch as preparations of antimony, ipecacuanha,
&c., which tends to produce fymptoms fimilar to thofe
which take place in the crifis of fever has its whole
force exhaufted upon thofe parts, in which the appear¬
ances of fever are flight, and does not at all affect
thofe parts which are moil afflicted by the difeafe.
For example; if there fhould be confiderable pain m
the forehead, and the fkin fhould be foft and moiff, pre¬
parations of antimony being exhibited, the patient
will fall into a prof ufe fweat, without the leaft relief of
the pain in the forehead.

e It is farther to be obferved, that not only if there
fhould be a want of febrile fymptoms in any one par¬
ticular part of the body, but if even thofe appearances
fhould arife, which take place in a crifis, in fame par¬
ticular part of the body, and not in the whole at the
fame time, the mifchief is much greater, and the pa¬
tient in fuch a cafe rarely recovers. If, for example*
there be a lateritious fediment in the urine from the
beginning of the difeafe, or if it take place before the
middle of the fecond week, and neither the faead-aeli
nor delirium is any way diminiihed ; if the ikin fhould
remain hot, contrafted, and dry, the tongue covered
with a mucous cruft, and the pulfe continue of equal
frequency ; it hardly ever happens that the patient
recovers from the difeafe. In like manner, the fkin
having been dry and contrafted at the beginning, if a pro®
ftife fweat afterwards take place, and continue for fame
time without any diminution of the other fymptoms of
the difeafe ; that is, if there fhould be no lateritious
fediment in the urine; if the coftivenefs and the head-
ach fhould continue ; inftead of being favourable
appearances of the difeafe, we are to expedt that it
will prove fatal. Independently of the mifchief arifing
irom .’inequality >of the difeafe, ,anv evacuation will

weaken

SO torclyceV Fifth Dijfertation on Fever.

weaken the patient, and render him incapable of fup-
porting the farther progrefs of it, if there be not at the
fame time an alleviation of the other appearances of
the difeafe the points now mentioned are of great
importance in regard to the prognofis.

There are no remedies, the author obferves, which
increafe the fever in particular parts, fo as to render
the difeafe equal. When the want of a fufficient
degree of fever in any part of the body has been attend¬
ed with confiderable evacuation from that part, then in¬
deed means have been employed to put a flop to fuch
evacuation, or to moderate it ; as when profufe fweat-
ing or purging takes place, without relief to the difeafe.

The next irregularity noticed, is that which happens
during the courfe of the fever. If, inftead of the
ufual progrefs, when the difeafe obferves no critical
days 3 that is, if inftead of the difeafe gradually increaf-
Ing to a certain height, then remaining at that height
for a time, and afterwards gradually diminifhing and
going off, the patient fhould fometimes be better for
two or three days, and then grow worfe, and the fymp-
toms fhould then again abate for a day or two, and
then return with greater force, and fo continue for
the firft three weeks of the difeafe 3 the fever, inftead
of gradually leaving the patient, will often continue
to return for four, five, or fix weeks, or longer, and
the patient will be cut off at laft, in many cafes, by
weaknefs.

* When a practitioner finds a fever thus to deviate
from the ordinary courfe, in the firft fortnight, he ought
to be very anxious, where fymptoms of weaknefs have
not already come on, to endeavour to take off the
difeafe by medicines producing fymptoms fimilar to
thofe which take place in the criiis of fever, fuch as
preparations of antimony, ipecacuanha, &c. If they
do not fucceed, and no qrifis is produced, he muft in
this cafe defift from them about the tenth day of the
difeafe 3 otherwife they will run a rifle of occafioning

partial

FordyceT Fifth Differ tation on Fever . SI

partial evacuations, which weaken the patient unne«
ceflarily, and add confiderably to his danger.

* The author does not know a more unpleafant
lituation than that of the praftitioner in this cafe.
All that he can do is, to endeavour to keep up the
ilrength of the patient by fuch food as his ftomach
can digeft, and by a very moderate quantity of wine.
The patient, his relations, and the by-ftanders, in the
mean time, are conftantly urging him to ufe feme
powerful remedy ; while he knows that, if he com¬
plies with their importunity, it will only add to the
danger, without the lead chance of fhortening the dif~
cafe, excepting by the deftrudtion of the patient. It
is his duty, therefore, to refill every conhderation of
this kind, and wait patiently until the difeafe is worn
out.’

Again ; where the fever obferves critical days, if
there fhould be on one of thofe days confiderable ap¬
pearance of erifis, and the patient be much relieved^
and continue better for two or three days, but after¬
wards grow gradually worfe again for two or three
clays longer; or if there be a ftrong exacerbation, fol¬
lowed by few or no critical fymptoms, and the patient
be left during the next relaxation with much feverer
fymptoms of the difeafe ; and if afterwards for a day
or two the patient continue extremely ill, and then on
a fubfequent critical day there be ftrong appearances
of a erifis, and the patient be relieved again for a day
or two, and then gradually get worfe ; or if a much
ilronger exacerbation follow again, with hardly any
fymptoms of erifis, and the difeafe go on ; either the
recurrence of one fuch ftrong exacerbation deftroys
the patient, or the difeafe does not wear itfelf out, but
runs on until the patient is fo much exhauiled that he
finks. This mifehief is increafed confiderably, if the
appearance of critical fymptoms fhould take place on
a day that is not critical in the difeafe.

c In fuch cafes, it is worth while, immediately after
fuch confiderable relaxation of the difeafe, to employ

$2 FordyceV Fifth DijJertation on Fever .

* j.

large quantities of the bark of the cinchona, in fubftance |
that is, to the quantity of a drachm every two or four
hours, to prevent the return of the difeafe. This prac»
tice frequently fucceeds ; but when it does not, it
often increafes the difficulty of refpiration, or the affec¬
tion of the head, fo that the patient dies. It is never-
thelefs worth running the rifk, fince the difeafe, if left
to itfelf, is much more frequently fatal. This kind of
irregularity in continued fever, is fortunately not very
frequent, and many pra&itioners may not have feen or
noticed it. Sometimes, however, fevers of this kind
are epidemic in a very high degree. In the courfe of
two or three months, about fixteen or twenty years
ago, the author faw at leak forty fuch cafes in St.
Thomas’s Hofpitah He had remarked this irregula¬
rity before that time, and had feen it in moft cafes
fatal, by wearing out the patient. No perfect crilis
took place, nor did the difeafe fpontaneoufly ceafe in
about three weeks, as continued fevers generally do.
In this epidemic, the irregularity was fuch as to
weaken and carry off the patient, in moft cafes, in lefs
than three weeks. This induced the author to try the
exhibition of large quantities of Peruvian bark, to
endeavour to put a flop to the difeafe ; and from that
time, the author did not lofe more than one patient out
of feven. It is neceffary to obferve, however, that of
thofe patients who died, feveral were loft from great
affeftion of the head or break, evidently in confequence
of the effedls of the cinchona. This happened not
only in the Hofpital, but alfo in many cafes which
elfewhere fell under his care. It muft be obferved, on
the other hand, that this kind of irregularity in the
difeafe, when the cinchona was not employed, was
fatal to more than half the patients in whom it oc^
curredf

Hyfteric fymptoms occurring during the progrefs of
fever, is another irregularity pointed out. Both fexes,
the author obferves, are nearly equally apt to be affect¬
ed

FordyceT Fifth Differtation on Fever* 33

ed with them. Thefe are characterized by . great fre¬
quency of pulfe, without any great oppreftion upon
the bread, or any great affection of the head, or, in
iliort, without any aggravation of the other fymptonis.
The tongue is clean, and the Ikin moift ; there is great
,de preffion of fpirits and anxiety, without any apparent
caufej and there is in fome a copious flow of pale
urine. Thefe fymptoms the author has knowrn induced
by blitters, from the cantharides being abforbed,
and irritating the fyftem.

Thefe hyfterical fymptoms are more alarming than
dangerous, though they fometimes prevent the difeafe
from fubfiding by its ordinary courfe. In fuch cafes,
the author advifes the patient to be fupported by ani¬
mal broths, and a moderate quantity of wine, not ex¬
ceeding a pint in twenty-four hours At the fame
time the patient ihould take eight or ten drops of the
tinct. opii, with fome antifpafmodie, fuch as ten
grains of caftor, every four hours.

. -

The laft irregularity mentioned is, when many cri¬
tical fymptoms take place all at once, either on a true
critical day, or otherwife, without the delirium going off,
or the frequency olthe pulfe fubfiding, or the reftleffnefs
and oppreflion remaining, without any return of ap¬
petite or found fleep : in thefe cafes, the difeafe has
always proved fatal. The author fufpe&ed that fome
mifchief had happened, during the difeafe, to fome
particular vifcus neceffary to life ; but no apparent in¬
jury has been found, though the body has been examin¬
ed by Mr. Hunter, and other diftinguifhed anatomifts*.

The author concludes with a fummary of the preced¬
ing Differtations, and replies to fome criticifms that
have been made on them. This, however, we thinks
was fcarcely neceffary, as they were not of a kind or
origin to demand his notice. c Fir ft : it has been faid
by fome/ he remarks, c that he has been too minute
in de (bribing' the difeafe itfelf, and the remedies to be
v’ol. x. D employed

84 Fordy ce\? Fifth Diffrtation on Fever,

employed in it ; or, as thefe obfervers have expreffed
it5 he has been too verbofe in thefe Differtations®
But he begs leave to remark, that moft authors and
teachers of medicine at this time are fcandaloufly neg«
ligent in giving accounts of difeafes, and the remedies
that are to be employed in them ; fo much fo, that
there are teachers in London who pretend to teach
the whole knowledge of all the difeafes incident to
the human body, as well as the effedls of the reme¬
dies applicable to them, in thirty Tix lectures of fome-
what lefsthan an hour each.

c If a man were but to refledt on the great importance
of this fcience to mankind, and on the immenfe detri¬
ment it is to a family to lofe either a father or mother
at a premature age, not to mention the diftrefs arifing
from parents lofing their children, he would take great
care, before he- began to pradlife this art, to in¬
quire into it in the moil minute manner. The author
has found, incorredting the copy of the fecond edition
of the firft Differtation, that, without adding any one
new idea, he has been obliged to extend it confidera-
bly in words*

* With regard to plagiarifm, he will take for inftance,
what he has been faid to borrow from Dr. Cullen, the
ufe and mode of a cl ion of antimony.

'■ c He certainly cannot juffly be faid to take the ufe of
antimony in fevers from Dr. Cullen, becaufe it is well
known that Dr. James, a regularly bred phvfician, had
brought it into general ufe before Dr. Cullen began to
teach medicine. Neither can he be faid to have
taken the mode of its adtion from Dr. Cullen, becaufe
Dr. Cullen called it a naufeating medicine, and afcrib-
ed its effedts* in carrying off fever, to its producing
hcknefs ; and this he taught to the author, who era-
braces this opportunity of acknowledging the acquire¬
ment of much knowledge from fo great a maker in
•medicme, and alio his great friendfliip in admitting
him at ail times like a fon into his houfe. The author
on the other hand, when he came to fee a great num¬
ber!

Medical and Phyjical Journal , Nos « 51, 52 . $5

ber of patients, after being chofen phyfician to St.
Thomas’s Hofpital, found, as he has obferved in thefe
Diftertations, that, fo far from the ficknefs produced
bv antimony being the caufe which carries off fever^
when fmall dofes produce ficknefs the effedt is much
lefs certain ; and alfo that other medicines, which
occafion as great ficknefs as is induced by antimony*
fuch as fquiiTs, have not the leaft power of producing
fymprom* fimilar to thofe which take place in the crifis
of fever/

Art. IV. Medical and Phyjical Journal, Nos, 51 and

52, for May and June 1803. London, Phil lips*

^T^HE fir ft original communication here contained
jg^ is on the fubjedt of the Gorget for Lithotomy*
by Mr. Abernelhy. The inftrument which this gentle¬
man recommends is an improvement of Hawkins's
gorget, its cutting edge having the fame direction in
every part, but not being curved as in the latter. Mr. A,
thinks three quarters of an inch a fufficient length
for the cutting edge to extend laterally from the beak
of the inftrument.

Mr. Girand , of Feveriham,. points out a new mode
of preferving vaccine matter from the influence of the
atmofphere, and in a fluid ftate. It confifts in em¬
ploying a fmall glafs bulb with a very narrow tube or
(hank to it, about an inch and a half in length. The
bulb of the inftrument is immerfed for a few fecbnds
in boiling water to expel the greater part of the con-”
tained air, and on taking it out the point of the tube
is inftantly applied to a drop of the virus, as it ifTues
from the puftule previoufty opened. As the bulb cools,
the greater prefifure of the -atmofphere from without
forces the matter into the tube, the end of which is
then fealcd hermetically, by holding it in the flame of
a candle.

- D 2 Mr,

36 Medical and Phyfical Journal , Nos. 51, 52.

Mr, Barlow, of Blackburn, Lancafhire, relates a
cafe of premature delivery, induced by art, in a woman
whofe pelvis was fo diftorted as to admit of delivery
only by the crotchet in two preceding pregnancies.
The operation was performed at the eighth month of
geftation, as nearly as could be afcertained: labour
pains came on in about twenty-four hours. By a
flight application of the lever, delivery was foon accom-
plifhed, and the life of the child thus preferved, without
danger to the mother.

On the fubjefl of apoplexy, wThich has of late
given rife to a good deal of controverfy, from which no¬
thing like conviftion feems tohave been produced by the
arguments employed on either fide. Dr. MoJJ'man , of
Bradford, adopts the plethoric theory of the difeafe,
and recommends ftrongly the practice of blood-letting
and other evacuations. The employment of emetics
appears to him a dangerous pradlice. Dr. M. is of opi¬
nion, that much benefit may be derived, in habits pre»
difpofed to plethora and apoplexy, from a limitation
of the ufe of liquids, the phenomena of plethora and
obefity being more referable to the taking in of liquid
than of folid aliment.

An anonymous account is given of the epidemic
which has lately prevailed in Paris, under the name of
la gripe, and which bears a near refemblance to the
catarrhal affe&ion, or influenza, as it has (hewn itfelf
in this country.

A number of fenfible obfervations occur on the
late experiments in galvanifrn, by Mr. Hutchins , who
appears to have paid confiderable attention to the
fubjeft, and oppofes feme of the conclufions which
have been too haftilf, perhaps, drawn. It was Paid
that, in the experiments alluded to, “ not only the
me teles, but the (kin and cellular membrane were
excited by the galvanic ilimulus. ’ Mr. H. remarks, that
neit ier the cellular membrane, cutis, nor moifl: cuticle,
nave ever exhibited any evident excitement when the
galvanic arc has been applied to them : they appear

' - to

Medical and Phyjical Journal, Nos. 51, 52. 37

to be merely paffive conductors, by which property,
dependent perhaps on their lubricating fluid, they con¬
vey the galvanic Aim ulus to the mufcular fibres, in
which alone excitement is manifefted.

It is laid alfo, <c that contractions of the mufcles
were excited by the metallic arc applied to the
nerves fupplying the mufcles ; but that the nerves them-
felves were not affeCted.” Mr. Hutchins thinks it
doubtful, whether the galvanic impulfe is decidedly
propagated along the nervous fibres to the mufcles they
lupply, or whether that impulfe is conducted merely
by the furrounding animal moifture. The experiments
of M, Aldini (feveral of which were inftituted exprefif-
]y to determine this point) tend to confirm the lat¬
ter opinion, particularly Experiment 12, where he
©bferves, to his aftonifhment, <c that the galvanic arc
being eftablifhed from the fpinal marrow to the fciatic
nerve, diverted of its theca, no contraction whatever
enfued in the mufcles : but the conductors, being
made to communicate with the fibres of the mufcles
and cellular membrane, as flrong an aCtion as before
was manifeftedo” By diffeCting as much as poflible of
the theca of the nerve, we alfo deprive it, Mr. H. ob-
ferves, of a great part of its natural moifture; hence it
admits of a queftion, whether the difference in the
aCtion produced in the above experiments is not attri¬
butable to the defeCt of abundance of the animal fluid.
He has always found, that mufcular contractions were
excited by the communication of the galvanic arc, either
from nerves to mufcles not organically united, or from
the lungs, cellular membrane, or other moift part, to
mufcles, or even from one mufcle to another, where all
organical connection was deflroyed by the total excifion
of both from the body, and nothing but moifture al¬
lowed to intervene ; and he has never been able to ob¬
tain pofitive refults where the circle of communica¬
tion was interrupted by anv kind of dried animal mat¬
ter, as bone, nerve, mufcle, fkin, & c. This opinion
of Mr. H. is flrongly confirmed bv the experiments o

D 3 ' Dr.

3S Medical and Phyjical Journal , JS/ os. 5 1 , 52®

Dr. Monro , made fome years back, * who found, that
a ligature being applied on the nerve by no means in¬
terrupted the galvanic action, though it immediately
intecerpted the influence of the will : hence Dr. Monro
inferred, that the galvanic fluid had no relation to the
nervous power, and operated on the principle of other
jftimuli.

Much importance has been attached to the apparent
formation of a milky coagulated matter on the lurface
ofmufcles that have been made to undergo repeated
galvanic contraftions , but the phenomenon, Mr.
Hutchins obferves, is very eafily accounted for, on
Ample chemical principles. The milkinefs in this cafe
arifes from the raoid diforganization ot the fluid which
ihoiftens the mufcle, and by the extrication of gas
which arifes and forms a froth on the furface.

A letter from Dr. De Carro , of Vienna, to Dr. Jenner,
contains remarks on the Cow pock, and an account of
its introduction by inoculation into the Afiatic quarter
of the globe. Dr. De Carro fuggefls an hypothefis
refpebting the origin of the fmall pox, viz. that it may
have originated from that fort of cohabitation which
many wandering nations of the Eaft are fa id to have
with their horfes : that, under fome particular circling
fiances of climate, feeding, &c. the greafe of thofe
horfes may have produced that variety we now term
fatal I- pox.

Dr. Marcet propofes, for the prefervation of vaccine 1
matter, the ufe of two pieces of thick glafs about an '
Inch fquare, their lurfaces ground flat, without poll (li~
ing, with an excavation made in the centre of each
contending to each other: in this hollow the mat!
ter is to be depofited, and, on bringing the plates together,
all communication with the external air is nrevented
Mr W, furgeoh, of Great Yarmauth, relate, a
amputcttion oi the thigh, where comprelTiont

.19

* For an account of tliefe, the reader may confult our 2d vol. o. 34.

oil

Medical mid Phyflcal Journal, Nos. 51, 52. 39

of the artery at the groin was fuccefsfully pradtifed.
It is of importance to know that the current of blood
through the femoral artery can be effedlually checked
by comprefiing it, as it pafies over the os pubis ; as,
without this, amputation high up the thigh is fcarce-
ly pradlicable. It is not, however, to be expe6ted,
but that a greater lofs of blood in fuch cafes will take
place from the pofterior veffels ofthe limb than in ordi¬
nary cafes of amputation.

Several accounts ofthe late influenza are given, but
in general fo loofely drawn up, and differing fo much
from one another, both with refpedt to the hiftory and
mode of treatment, that little illuftration of the nature
of the difeafe is to be looked for. Nor is it eafy, from
thefe accounts, to determine whether the difeafe fpread
bymontagion or not. Unfortunately, thofe beft qua¬
lified to obferve and report are the mo ft averfe from
obtruding their fentiments on the public. The point
is not likely to be determined to the fatisfaflion of
cautious inquirers, by general and unqualified aflertions
of its being unquestionably contagious : nor by fuch
paflages as the following : “ the exifting influenza in-
<c duces thefe changes in the falutary ftate of pulmo-
<( nary action that arrange, conftitute, and evolve, a
<c peculiar halitus, which, reaching the tracheal mem-
brane, imprefles its excitability, and generates an
<s adiion, as fpecific of its own nature as could be
“ refpedfively produced by variolous, vaccine, venereal,
morbillous, or any other defcription of virus/’

The only facts adduced that bear with any weight
on the .queftion of contagion are thofe of Dr. Bardfley ,
phyfician to the Manchefter Infirmary, who obferves
as follows : “ that it is a difeafe of a contagious kind,
arifing from a fpecific materies morbi, and readily
communicable from one perfon to another, is render¬
ed probable from various fadls, as well as from its
analogy to other contagious diforders. Its appearance
here, although rapid, was progreffive. It fpread like

D 4 other

40 Medical and Phyfical Journal, Nos. 51, 52.

other infeflious maladies, more particularly among
thofe expofed by their greater intercourfe w ith each
other to the danger of contagion. Female domeftics,
and the inhabitants of the nurfery, feldom efcaped its
influence.

A gentleman of this town returned from London,
in the third week of March, while labouring under
influenza. He found his family all well ; and, uncon-
fcious of the infeHious nature of his complaint, he be¬
llowed the ufual careffes upon his children. Three
of them lickened the next day, and two more on that
following.

But the rnoft complete and fatisfaftory evidence of
the propagation ofthisdifeafe by human contagion (I had
aim oft faid the only mode in which it is communicat¬
ed) is derived from what happened in the Manchefter
Lunatic Hofpital : none of the patients were afflifled
with the epidemic (although permitted to walk out
daily in the airing grounds) until the keeper and matron
became aftefled. In confequence of their attention,,
while labouring under the influenza, to feme elderly
patients whofe fituation demanded more than com¬
mon care, they communicated this infeflion to five of
the perfons thus c rcumftanced ; w hile all the reft, to
the amount of 80 and upwards, entirely efcaped the
complaint. The houfe fervants, who are folely engaged
in domeftic employments, and never permitted to af«
lactate with the lunatics, lurlered more or lefs feverely
by the diforder. Thus, it would appear, that a care¬
ful exclufion from intended perfons is probably tbe
moft certain preventive method of obviating a malady
fo univerfally prevalent

“ The nurfes of the houfe of recovery fell fick foon
attei the reception of the firft cafes of the malady, not-
Withftanding the ufual preventive rules againft infec¬
tion were ftriaiy followed. At Rochdale, I have been
an u red, the origin of the difeafe was diftmfiHy traced
o o. ne gentlemen who nad brought it from Lancafteiy
wnere they had attended the aflizes,”

A cafe

* < |-4

Medical and Phyfical Journal , Nos. 51, 52. 41

A cafe of enormoufly fwelled legs is given by Mr.
Ward, of Manchefter, and which he denominates ele-
phantiafis; but whether juftly, it is not eafy to deter¬
mine from the defeription annexed. It was cured*
however* by preffure, made by bandage and flips of
adhefive plafter, in the manner recommended by Mr,
Baynton.

A piece fsful Method of treating the Yellow Fever
at its Commencement ; communicated May 25, 1803*
by Dr, Harnefs, CommiJJioner for Sick and Wounded
Seamen.

< Lieut. Douglas, of the S5tn regiment, relates, that
he embarked on board the Chichefer ftore fhip at
Jamaica for England, with one hundred and eighty
men, feventy-four of whom died on the paffage pre¬
vious to reaching Halifax in North America, exclufive
of the captain, two lieutenants* furgeon, and furgeoiys
mate of the fhip. In confequence of the two latter
having fallen victims to the difeafe, Lieut. Douglas
felt himfelf driven to the neceffity of undertaking the
treatment of the fick ; and, from the great fatality at¬
tendant on the calomel and purgative plan, purfued
by the late furgeon and his mate, he (Lieut. D.) was
induced to adopt bleeding (as recommended by Dr.
Jackfon, and as bad been fuggefted in Lieut. D/s
prefence by the furgeon’s mate of the 60th regi¬
ment, a fhort time previous to Lieut. D, leaving Ja¬
maica), which proved to iiave been productive of the
happieft effects* as will evidently appear by the follow¬
ing ftatement.

4 Lieut D relates, that, after the care of the fick
had devolved upon him, lixty-twm men (thirty-feven
of whom were Teamen) were attacked with fymptoms
of yellow fever, the ’whole of whom recovered by bleed¬
ing: three others were like wife bled, but, he obferves*
fb late in the difeafe, or not until the fymptoms of fe¬
ver were fo fully eftabiifhed* as not to be within reach
of the remedy.

s Lieut

42 Loyb Experiments on the Cow-pox.

< Lieut. D. remarks, the fuccefs in treating the
difea,fe was fo evident to the troops and fhip’s com¬
pany, that after a ihort time they would, on being
taken ill, apply to be bled; and Lieut. D. became fo
confident of its good effects, if had recourfe to at the
onfet of the difeafe, as to induce him to give particular
directions to be called any hour of the night to per¬
form the operation, fhould any one be feized with the
leading fymptoms of the difeafe (the three alluded to
excepted): he had the happinefs to fee every fymptom
give way or diminifh, and all unfavourable appearances
removed by one, two, or three repeated bleedings, per¬
formed at intervals of a few hours, as the neceffity of
the remaining fymptoms indicated.

c Lieut. D. not being educated to the profeffion,
and confequentiy ignorant of the dofes of medicines,
was induced to have recourfe to clylters, when the
procuring of evacuations appeared neceffary ; on
which, with bleedings as before mentioned, he relied
the whole means of cure.5

The above account is interelling as tar as it goes;
but it is to be remembered, that, before the plan was
adopted, the veffel had reached a temperate, if not a
cold, latitude ; and therefore the propriety of the fame
practice in the Well Indies is not juftly to be inferred
from the relation.

» ■ « > • - .

Art. V. An Account of fame Experiments on the Ori¬
gin of the Cow-pox. Bp John G. Loy, M.D. 4to.,
29 pages, price 2s 6d. London, 1801. Whitby.

IT is rather ftrange, that lo few experiments have
been made or publifhed on the interefting quef-
tion refpecting the origin of the cow-pock ; a matter
fo ealily reduced to the teft of experiment, at leaft as
j L - ^ regards its fuppofed fource m the gvecifc ot

bouts, an idea fiift taken up by the promulgator of

the

LoyV Experiments on the Cotv-pox. 43

the vaccine inoculation, contradicted by the fubfequent
experiments of Dr. Woodville, Mr. Colman, and Mr.
Simmons, and now again receiving fome degree of
probability from thofe narrated in the pamphlet before
us.

Dr. Loy’s experiments were fuggefted by the cafe
of a farrier, who was affefted with an eruption on his
hands, compofed of diftinct puflules containing a thin
fluid, and furrounded by an inflamed ring. The
v, elides had an appearance fi mil ar to thofe arifing
from a burn ; but were all regularly circumfcribed,
and a fmall dark fpeck could be difcovered in the
middle of each, which appeared to be the remains of
fome flight injury. T his perfon had been in the ha¬
bit of dreffing the heels of a horfe affedted with the
greafe ; and he had never been fubjeft to any fuch af¬
fection previous to that employment. He had no ge¬
neral fever, and had had the fmall-pox.

Another perfon who had not gone through the fmall-
pox, and who had been for fome time employed in ap¬
plying remedies to the heels of a horfe aifedled with
the greafe, was affedled with fimiiar fores about the
roots of his nails, with a number of red painful lines,
extending from the puflules to the armpits, where a
tumour formed. A puftule of the fame appearance
was fltuated on the eve-brow, communicated proba¬
bly by the fingers in Scratching the part. This perfon
had a confiderable degree of fever, which continued
obftinate, till the abforption from the puflules was pre¬
vented by deftroying them with cauftic, when the tu¬
mour in the axilla alfo difperfed.

Matter from the fores of the lafl mentioned perfon
was inferted into the arm of hh brother, who had ne¬
ver had the fmall pox. A pultule followed, with
flight fqveriihnefs, and having exactly the appearances
of the genuine cow pox.— The above obiervations
and experiments were made by Mr. Loy> furgeon,
at Pickering, in YorkiLire, in the year 1801,

ExpL

44 LoyV Experiments on the Cow-pox.

Expt. 1. Dr, Loy now inferted feme of the fame
matter into the udder of a cow. On the ninth day a
veficle was obferved, furrounded by a rofe- colour
rim. The furrounding parts were hard, and painful to
the touch. The veficatiop continued to fpread for
feverai days ; but at length a fcab formed, and the
place healed without any remedy.

Expt. 2. Matter taken from this cow on the ninth
day was infer ted into the arm of a child. The appear¬
ances, Dr. Loy obferves, correfponded exactly with
thofe of the genuine and mild form of cow-pox. On
the fixth day variolous matter was inferred ; but with¬
out producing any effeCt, except flight inflammation
on the third day.

Expt. 3. Relates the cafe of a child inoculated with
the fame matter as in the firft experiment. The ap¬
pearances deferibed are nearly or wholly fimilar to
thofe of the ordinary vaccine puflule, and the patient
afterwards refitted the variolous inoculation.

Expt . 4. The matter of greafe was inferted into the
udder of a cow, and a puflular appearance fucceeded,
with the ordinary characters.

Expt. 5. The matter produced in the above was infert¬
ed into the arm of a child. On the fixth day, and not
before, a confiderable degree of rednefs furrounded the
wound, and a veficle was formed on the ninth, when
the child was inoculated with fmall-pox virus in three
places, but without any effeft.

In Expt. 6. Matter of greafe from the fame horfe
was inferted into the arm of a child. Inflammation
began on the third day, and on the fifth a veficle had
foimed, which, with the inflammation, increafed till
the feventh, when a chillinefs came on, attended with
naufea and vomiting, "Thefe were fucceeded bv con-
hderable fever, winch foon abated, and difappeared on
the ninth day. On the fixth day, fmall-pox matter was
jnfei ted on the iame arm, but at a diftance from the
former puncture. ^ On the fourth, iome rednefs ap¬
pealed aoou, the w ound, and ontne fixth a fmall veficle.

* The

A Report on the Cow-pock Inoculation .

The inflammation now decreafed, and on the ninth
day the veficle was converted into a fcab.

Expt . 7. Matter procured from the greafe puftfile
of the above was inferted into five children. Thefe
were not feen bv the author till the tenth day, when an
extenfive eryfipelatous inflammation was obferved
furrounding the veficles, which were beginning
to dry 5 but Hill contained a limpid matter. On
the tenth day, they were all inoculated with variolous
matter, but with no other effe£l than flight inflamma¬
tion, which vanifhed on the fifth.

Such are the experiments from which the author
thinks it proved, that the cow may be infeOed with
the greafe poifon, after it has produced difeafe in the
human fubjeft ; and alfo directly from the horfe, by
inoculation. But many other attempts of the fame
kind failed. Hence he concludes, that there are two
kinds of greafe ; efpecially as he found the horfes
that gave infection had a general as well as local
difeafe, and with a general eruption over the body of
the animal.

But whether any light is thus thrown on the origin
of the cow-pock or not, it appears, as far as a fingle
experiment goes, that the matter of greafe , both as
taken directly from the horfe, and after having gone
through the fyftem of the cow, is poflefled of anti-va-
riolous properties.

It is proper to remark, that the greafe matter em¬
ployed by Dr, Loy with fuccefswas in a perfectly lim¬
pid ftate, and was taken about the fourteenth day of
the difeafe, and a week from the firfl: appearance of
the difcharge.

Art. VI. A Report on the Cow-pock Inoculation ,
from the Practice at the Vaccine-Pock Injtitution , dur¬
ing the Years 1300, 1801, and 1802; read at the
General Meeting of the Governors y Feb . 7 th, 1803,
at the ShakJ peace Tavern ; written by the Phy-

Jicians

40 A Report on the Cotv-pock Inoculation .

ji clans to the Inftitution : to which are prefixed , hm
' 'painted Engravings of Cow-pock and other Erup¬
tions. 8vo., 136 pages. London, 1803. Beckett.

THE work before us may be confidered as afford¬
ing a futnmary account of every important fact
reipe&ing the vaccine difeafe and inoculation, and as
ferving to determine the laws of agency of the poifon,
as far as they are at prefent afeertained. They are
thrown into the form of general proportions, which are
occafionally illuftrated by reference to the particular
fads from which they were deduced. The greater
part of them, of courfe, have been already before our
readers ; we (hall confine ourfelves, therefore, to a
brief notice of fuch. points as appear moil new or im¬
portant.

A concife hiftoryof the cow-pock is prefixed, and of
the ft eps taken to introduce the new practice to pub”
lie notice in the year 1798, by the publication of Dr.

• Jenner’s book on the fuhjeCf. The nature and ob¬
jects of the Vaccine Inftitution are likewife pointed
out, and the character of its officers vindicated from the
charge of having unjufily overlooked the merits of Dr.
jenner, by not admitting him into the lift of officers of
the eflablifhcnent. *' In giving a hiilory of this Inftitu-
tion,’ the reporters obferve, ‘ we fhould have been glad
to have been able to have left unrecorded a circum-
ilance, although, on account of it, both the original
founders in general, and individual ones, have been
long expofed to repeated obloquy in circles of conver¬
sation and in periodical publications, it was deter¬
mined to endure tnefe reflections fo unmerited, ra¬
ther than expofe to the eye of the public a tranfac-
tion which fome per fons might confider as more dignified
».opafs by unnoticed : but the very recent and probably
future repetition of the accufation here alluded to ap¬
peals i.o demand from us an explanation \ for now wc
fhould by filence feemingly admit the charge. -Here,
however, from the lame motives which induced us hi¬
therto

A Report on the Cow-pock Inoculation . 47

Puerto to make no reply, we {hall now ftate what is
barely neceflary on' fo difagreeable a tranfa£tion, and
that with extreme brevity.

€ The public have been told, even in terms of invec¬
tive, and reports have been induftrioufiy propagated,
that the founders have been guilty of a flagrant aft of
injuftice in excluding Dr. Jenner from this Inflit utiom
If our adverfaries had but been thoughtful, candid,
and judicious enough to have afcertained the truth
of the fuppofed fa fit to which their cen fares were im¬
puted, they would have fpared themfelves the trouble
of going farther, granting (which we are not required
in propriety to do) that it was an a 61 of injuftice to do
what was aflerted. The truth is, that Dr. jenner was
invited by one of your Reporters, Dr. Pearfon, in a let¬
ter addreffed to him at Berkely, his place of refidence,
December 10th, 1799, to belong to the Inftitution, un¬
der the moil honourable title then deemed confident,
—that of confultingor correfponding phyfician. This
propofal was declined, without intimating that any
other lituation would be more agreeable. Subfe-
quently, in order to drew due refpedt and deference
to fame friends of the Inftitution, Mr. Brande was de¬
puted by the Vaccine Medical Committee to wait up¬
on Dr. Jenner, then in town, and allure him of the
willingnefs of each and all the medical department
to make any arrangement agreeable to induce him to-
be attached to the Inftitution ; the committee even
went fo far as to authorife Mr. Brande to fay. Dr. jen¬
ner might make what alterations he pleated in the^
plan of the Inftitution ; and that, if any of the officers-
were not agreeable to him, there was not one who
was not willing to refign. Alter repeated applica¬
tions and much delay in the fpring, 1800, all the pro-

* ‘ At the committee, on Tuefday, lith February, 1800, it was $e-
folved, That Mr. Brande, the chairman, fhould wait on Dr. jenner,
and fettle with him refpe&ing facb a ftuation as may be agreeable to
him in the Inftitution-,

* Vide Minute Book.

48 A Report on the Cow-pock Inoculation ,

pofals were declined, it being at lafl (aid, it waft
thought beft that there Ihould be no inftitution.

« Unlefs it be exacted by a continuance of centered
we fhall avoid explanation (which might, at this
time,feem invidious) to make it appear that the off rs,
on the part of the phyficians of the Inftitution, were
more than could be ftri£fJy or even legally juftified, but
that they conceded their rights from their refpebt lor
the promulgator of a moil beneficial pradiced

From the 18th Jan. 1800, to the Sift. Dec. 1802,
there have been inoculated at this Indication 1202
fubje£ts; a number fmall, in comparifon of what has
been elfewhere praQi fed, but probably as large as ad¬
mitted of diftin6t and ufeful obfervation, and certainly
fufficient for the determination of the moil important
laws of the difeafe.

Refpeciing the fuppofed attack of fmall-pox in fome
inliances fubfequently to the vaccine inoculation, there*
port obferves, ‘ it may be alfo ufeful to notice, that
we have been alarmed two or three times with the in¬
telligence of the fmall-pox occurring feveral weeks or
months after our patients had undergone the cow-
pock. We thought it our duty to vifit and examine
thefe patients, and alfo to enquire into their hiilory
among their attendants ; and by thefe means we ob¬
tained the completed fatisfaftion, that the pretended
fmall-pox was generally the chicken-pox. One in-
ftance was the under-related, which we have feledted
lor illuftration, becaufe the eruptions were, by their re*
femblance, miliaken for the fmall-pox by the friends
or the patient, and even by a medical "practitioner*
who accordingly gave a reprefentation of the cafe, by
no means advantageous to the Inftitution.

* A child, ten months of age, was inoculated the
i ff of April, 1800, by one pundture only. The infec¬
tion took, and the pock was well charabterifed, by the
\ elide, on the iixth day; and on the eleventh, bv the
fcabbing procefs beginning with an extenfive' areola.

A Repo?' 1 071 the Cow-pock Inoculation . 49

On the fifteenth day there was the genuine vaccine fcab,
which fubfequently fell off, and left a cicatrix. The
patient was conftitutionally difordered on the fixth
day, and again on the eighth ; but moil probably from
teething. On the 8th of Augufl following, the child
returned to the Inilitution with above one hundred
eruptions of blackifh fcabs, and red fpots, apparently
the chicken-pox, in the fcabbing (tale, which it was
faid began to appear feven days before, and came out
during five days, having been preceded by a fever
three days previoufly to the eruption. Small
pits were left, as was obferved by one of your re¬
porters, fome months after this eruption,

* It will probably afford inflrudfion, to notice that
cafes of eruption, fuppofed to be variolous, were ob-
lerved fubfequently to the cow-pcck, of which the ad-
verfaries to the new inoculation availed thenifelves to
difcredit it. But however refembling, on the mere
infpedtion, fuch eruptions were to the fmall-pox, the
inquiry into the courfe and duration of them manifeft”
ed a different diforder 5 ftilJ, to remove all poffible am¬
biguity, the Experimenturn Crucis by inoculation of
the matter of fuch eruptions was infututed, but unavail-
ingly.’

The few inffances of death which have occurred in
patients during the progrefs of the vaccine inoculation
are referred, and probably with juffice, to unknown
peculiarities of conftitution, to intervening diforders
independent of the vaccina, and to inflammation ex¬
cited by accidental caufes in very young children,
efpecially where they have been ill-fed, and ill-nurfed,
circumftances not uncommon among very poor people.

4 It has been too commonly the practice to blame the
inoculator in thefe inffances, by imputing the mifchief
to ufing matter from a pock older than the ninth
day; and, alfo, on equally unjuftifiable grounds, to
refer thefe bad confequences to ufing fome other mat¬
ter different from the vaccine, or to the inode of ino-

%dl. . E eolation/

50 A Report on the Cow-pock Inoculation.

dilation,’ filch as penetrating through the cutis into
the cellular fubftance beneath.

Xnftead of the ufual appearance of the vaccine-pock,
in fonie cafes a large pimple, or gnat-bite-like erup¬
tion, only was excited, but permanent for the ufual
time ; yet, on re-inoculation with both vaccine and
variolous matter, the fufceptibility of the fm all¬
pox appeared to have been deftroyed — it is hardly
neceffary to obferve, that in fuch and other anomalous
cafes the ted of re-inoculation fliould always be reform¬
ed to. In no cafe was the fucceptibility deftroyed,
when the pimple .or pock exxited difappeared within
ten or twelve days, although the inflammation began
at the ufual time 5 nor when no cicatrix was left be¬
hind.

About four-tenths only of the patients inoculated
were conftitutionally affefted ; and many of thefe were
fuppofed to be owing to intervening d borders.

The eruptions which have occafionally been obferv-
ed are the following. Where there was conliderable
fever, ‘on the fecond or third day after this fever, in a
very fmall proportion of cafes, eruptions appeared, fel-
dom exceeding twenty, which were either hard pim¬
ples, not unlike fmall-pox, but fcarcely with any fluid
in them, and which difappeared in a few days : fome-
times, however, they contained a watery fluid, like
chicken-pox, yet did not fuppurate, and thefe became
fmall fcabs in a few days.

‘ 1. An eruption of this kind occurred (as late as
the twentieth day), which dried on the twenty-eighth.

‘ 2. In the fummer feafon, efpecially in Auguft,a
rath very often broke out on the tenth or eleventh day,
alleviating the fpecific fever, but excitin^ much gene¬
ral irritation. 0 * *

o. Another kind of eruption, we were rather told
of thaq faw, was fmall maculee, like the mealies, or
thofe of the fcarlatina anginofa.

4. Acommon rath has appeared on the ninth day,
with great inflammation .of the inoculated part, and

great,

A Report on the Cow-pock Inoculation . 51

great difcharge ; and a fecond eruption on the feven-
teenth day, like millet feeds, without fever.

‘5. A kind of eruption now and then occurred in
hot weather, five to ten days after the period of the
vaccine fever, which was a very irritating rafh, of the
urticaria kind. This we venture to defignate by the
title of EJfera Vaccina. In a few infiances the itch¬
ing from it was hardly tolerable.

‘ Sometimes, two kinds of eruptions at once took
place, or fucceeded one another. In one cafe, a watery
eruption occurred on the twenty-third day. In a few
cafes, eruptions were produced of various figures,
particularly on the face, from the rubbing of the mat¬
ter of the pock on thefe parts of the’ patient.’

The vaccina does not appear to be preventive of
chicken-pox, mealies, ulcerous fore throat, hooping
cough, &c. ; nor is it otherwife affedled by thefe, than
in having its progrefs occafionally retarded by them.

Chronic difeafes being prefent at the time of inocu¬
lation did not produce any evident efFedl on the vac¬
cine difeafe. * Perfons having a variety of leprous*
and other cutaneous affedlions ; fcrofula, and other
glandular complaints ; rheumatifms ; rickets 3 mefen-
teric confumption ; chronic coughs; diarrhoea; itch,
&c. have gone through the vaccina in the ufual man¬
ner.

* In a child emaciated, and in fits daily, being hedtic
alfo, the cow-pock went on as ufual, without making
it either better or worfe. A greater number, however,,
of anomalies in the vaccina, or irregular cafes, occur¬
red in thofe who laboured under fcrofula and rickets
than in healthy fubjedts. In thofe who had the pfora,
an intolerable itching occafioned fcratching, by which
the vaccine matter feemed to be inferted into the rup¬
tured places, and occafioned troublefome fores.’

The general health, for the moft part, does not feem
to be either bettered or injured by going through the
vaccina : the following, however, are mentioned as
exceptions.

E 2 e ift. Swell-

52 A Report on the Cow-pock inoculation .

6 1ft. Swelling of the axillary glands, in one or two
inftances, remained from the inoculation, which fup-
purated and difeharged in three or four months a great
quantity of pus.

< 2d. In children previoufly not fubjeff to eruptions,
they appeared from time to time, tor a year or more
afterwards, not unlike gnat-bites, or little velicles, but
otherwife there was perfect health.

‘ Sd. In the fecond, third, and fourth week after ino¬
culation, an eruption now and then occurred of various
kinds of pimples.

* 4th. In one or two cafes, fome months after the
cow-pock, an eruption broke out not unlike the
fmall-pox in fome ftages, and which was conftdered
to be that difeafe by perfons not ot the profeftion.

€ Some have enjoyed better health after the vaccina
than before, and even got cured of fome former com¬
plaint. On the contrary, now and then the fubjeft en¬
joyed bad health fubfequently ; but, in both cafes, that
thefe confequences arofe from the vaccina was equi¬
vocal/

No difference in the effect of the matter appeared to
arife from the prefence or abfence of an areola around
the inoculated part ; nor did any difference occur be¬
tween matter of the eighth and matter of the fifteenth
day, even when the latter was of a purulent appearance,
except that the matter taken at thofe late periods was
iefs apt to take effeft : when it did, the true vaccine-
pock was produced.

. The fpecific conftitutional diforder, ufual on the
ninth and tenth days, bore no proportion to the
inflammation in the inoculated part ; nor to the num¬
ber of pocks; nor to the quantity of matter inferted.
Ihe matter of a Angle pock being mixed with one
quarter of an ounce meafure of warm water, fuch dilut¬
ed matter excited as diftinft a vaccine-pock by ino¬
culation as an equal quantity of undiluted matter. A
pock fo excited was not attended with Iefs inflam¬
mation

A Report on the Cow-pock Inoculation . S3

mation or conftitutional affeflion than that excited
by a larger quantity of undiluted matter. But this
faft (hews an eafy method of inoculating feveral hun~
dred or at leaft fcores of perfons from a Angle vaccine-
pock ; a great conveniency, when the poor of per¬
haps feveral parifhes are to be inoculated at the fame
time.

The age or conftitution of the patient does not feem
at all to aife£f the quality of the matter, fo as to vary
its effefts on others. Nor do feafons, weather, or
mode of living, appear to influence materially the pro-
grefs of the difeafe.

As far as has yet been afcertained, the difpofition to
be affe&ed by the vaccine and variolous matter is alike
in the fame perfon : where an infufceptibility to the
one exifts, it feems to exill: equally with regard to the
other.

In 449 out of 500 inoculated cafes of vaccina, many
properties of the cow-pock are uniform, there being,
Jirjly the appearance of a fmall red pimple, in three to
fix days after inoculation ; fecondly , the gradual growth
of it to the date of a circular, or oval, well defined veficle,
by the 9th to the 1 1th day,of from 2-tenths to 6-tenths of
an inch in diameter, and often furrounded by an erythe¬
matous areola, and attended by pain of the axilla, or
ihoulder: thirdly , the gradual change of the veficle
into a black or dark red, hard, gloffy, prominent,
round, firmly adhering fcab, by the fifteenth to the
. eighteenth day, which, in a week or ten days farther,
falls off, leaving a cicatrix for life. This fcab, which
is not fimilar to that produced by any other affedlion,
is a real anthrax , or fmali carbuncle, from a part killed
by the inflammation excited by the vaccine poifon.
The red areola or erythema is from the irritation of
the dying or dead fkin; and the cicatrix is from the
floughing off of the dead part, leaving a cavity never

afterwards entirely filled up.

E 3

* Whether

A Report on the Cow-pod Inoculation «

Whether the fymptoms be obfervable or not* a
change in the whole economy is produced by the
vaccine-pock vehicle, generally on the ninth or tenth
day; and hence the capability is immediately for ever
deftroyed of taking either the fmall-pox, or the cow-
pock.

‘ The phenomena, above related, are unequivocal of
the vaccina; but it may in reality take place fo as to
deftroy the fufceptihility of the fmall-pox, after being
attended by an eruption or pock not at all like the
ufual peculiar one, but refembling various others ; yet,
in all cafes, fubfihing tor two weeks or more, and leav¬
ing a cicatrix. That fuch anomalies are really the
vaccina can only be determined by re-intlituting the
vaccine inoculation, fo as either to produce the re¬
gular unequivocal vaccina, or nothing but what is
excited in perfons who have undergone it or the fmall-
pox: and if a farther proof be exadled, by inoculating
for the fmall-pox.

c That many perfons inoculated for the cow-pock, in
the years 1799 and 1800, and even in 1801 and 1802,
have already, and may hereafter take the fmall-pox,
is a reafonable expectation, from the charadteriftic
properties of the vaccina not being known to the
inoculators by their own experience, nor from the de¬
scriptions of authors.

‘ The diftreffing information was lately given of two
children in one family taking the fmall-pox cafually,
of which they died ; although they were fuppofed to
be in fecurity, by having been inoculated for the cow-
pock two years before. One of your reporters. Dr,
Fearfon, not very long ago, vifited a patient in the
caiual fmall-pox, w?ho had been inoculated for the
cow-pock three years before. In ten days the erup¬
tion of the inoculated part became a brown fcab, then
tailing off, and leaving a fuperficial cicatrix.’

Art.

( 55 )

Art. VII. A JJiort Fjjay on the Nature and C a life
of Influenza, in which the important Hueftion is dift
cuffed , whether the Influenza is contagious or not ?
With Anfwers to the Queftions of Dr. Beddoes, pro-
pofed in his circular Letters to the different Medical
Practitioners . To which is added , Obfervations ou¬
tlie Gaiife of the London Plague in 1665. Together
with a Hint for flopping the Ravages of the Yellow
Fever in the Weft Indies. 8vo,, 32 pages, price Is.
London, 1803. Murray.

OF this fhort Effay, a fhort account will fuffice ;

fince it condds of little more than hypothetical opi¬
nions refp effing the fuppofed nature and caufes of
the late epidemic.

The original caufe the author imagines to be derived
from f fome long-continued, peculiar, and uncommon
date of the weather for fome months before, bringing
on a peculiar di at hefts of the body, in which the
fyftem receives a heavy fhock from a fudden alteration
in the weather taking placed This uncommon Hate of
weather confided in, ‘ a winter unufually mild and
moid, with very little dry froft : the effefl of fuch fort
of weather on the dial hefts (which is conftantly changing)
mud be at lead to prevent its being of the ftenic order,
if it does not abfolutely introduce the afthenic diathefisd
* Of courfe, we mud acknowledge that colds and fevers
coming on at this time mud recede from the inflam¬
matory and approach to the typhoid type, and confe-
quently be more or lefs of an infectious nature d — This,
with a great deal more about throwing off perfpirable
matter, and its dying to the lungs, &c., makes up the
fum of the author’s pathology.

The author’s fcheme for putting a dop to the ra¬
vages of the yellow fever, and c as a probable method
of faving the lives of thoufands of our fellow creatures’
is founded on the idea of the difeafe owing its origin to

E 4 the

LettfomV Apology > 8Cc. Sic .

the exceffive heat of thofe countries ; and confifts in
‘counterafting the heat, 4 by having the ftreets, &c., kept
conftantly watered, by means of fire-enignes, and large
machines conftrudted on purpofe, watering pots, &e/

Art. VIII. An Apology for differing from the Authors
of the Monthly and Critical Reviews. On3 1. Lite¬
rary Communications . 2 . Variolous and vaccine I no -

culation. 3. Dr. Jenncr s Dif cover y of vaccine Ino¬
culation. 4. The Means of preventing febrile Conta¬
gion. b. The EJiabliJhment of Charitable Infitu-
tions. By John Coakley Lettsom, M. and
L.L.D, kc. 8vo. 63 pages, price 2s. London,
1803. Mawmak.

/ * .

THE dogmatical, infolent, and over-bearing treat¬
ment often experienced by authors at the hands
or reviewers, who are ignorant frequently of the fubjedt
they pretend to criticife, is well calculated to roufe the
indignation of writers, and to draw from them an effu-
iion of their bittereft gall. They not unfrequently,
indeed, have to combat mifconception, mifreprefenta-
tion, and petulant remark, from perfons qualified
neither by judgment nor candour for the critic’s talk.
We are not furprifed, therefore, to find the worthy
author of the pamphlet before us wielding his pen
in vindication of himfelf, from what he deems unjuft
and illiberal afperfions both of his motives and under-
ftanding : from the ftatement here given, it muft be
allowed his provocation was ample ; and fo, we may
add, has been his revenge.

The inducement to the prefent undertaking is thus
ftated by the author. “ The Monthly and 'Critical
Reviewers having publhhed opinions which appeared
to me, if carried into practice, calculated to injure the
comm un.tv , I thought it my duty, as a phyfician,
to addrets thcm^ m private letters, upon their injudi¬
cious

LettfomV Apology , Kc, 8Cc, 57

cious advice : perhaps my remonftrances might convey
a degree of cenfure not agreeable to perfons habitually
accufromed to cenfure others, and by an invaiion of
whofe privileges I may have incurred their difpleafure.
This feems probable, from their criticifms being
chiefly perfonal ; and nearly as little applicable to the
contents of my volumes as to the Hiftories of Jack the
Giant-Killer, or of Robin Hood. One paffage, indeed,
might be excepted, in which an unqualified attack
is made upon charitable inftitutions in general, to which
I have paid fome attention in the third feftion of the
fecond part of this Apology ; for I have divided it into
two parts, as more explanatory of the reflections on my
refpeStive publications, intituled, * Obfervations on

* the Cow-pock,’ and £ Hints defigned to promote

* Beneficence, Temperance, and Medical Science/

** I am ready to acknowledge, that there is not any

employment in which literary men devote their leifure
with more advantage to fcience, and improvement
to fociety, than in the critical inveftigation of the pro¬
ductions of the prefs. Instances, however, may occur,
when fentiments may have been delivered with pre¬
judice rather than with candour ; and opinions may
have been given without juftice or decorum. Authors,
doubtlefs, feel more or lefs partiality in favour of their
own performances, and may feek for praife where cen-
fure is demanded : judicious reflexion, however, mud
enable them to eftimate the propriety of the criticifm,
and induce them to acquiefce in its candid decifion,
although unfavourably fevere : but when critics fub-
ilitute inveCtive for argument, and the violation of
truth under the plea of candour ; and, to perfonal
infult, add detraction of character, fr would be culpa¬
ble not to court difcufFion, and weak not to repel ca¬
lumny. Under thefe fentiments the following obfer°
Vations are fubmitted.”

The

New 'Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia .

The oppofition of the Reviewers, both Monthly and
Critical '/* to the introduction of the vaccine inocula-
] at ion is well known ; nor was it till the public mind
had been convinced by manifold experience, that thefe
arbiters and diredlors of public opinion could bring
themfeives to fpeak of the fubject with complacency.

The quell ion of merit in refpecl to Dr. Jenner, as
difcoverer of the vaccine inoculation, is next difcuned,
and Dr. L. confiders the affirmative as demonilrated :
but we have already fpoken fully to this point, and fhall
not now refume the fubjeft.

The other points in difpute between the author and
the reviewers may be collefted from the title-page.
To thofe that love controverfy, and who will be pleafed
with a fuccefsful attack on anonymous and ill judging
critics, we recommend a perufal of the pamphlet.

Art. IX. Pharmacopoeia Collegii regii Medicorum
Edinburgcnjis . Edinburgh a pud Bell X Brad-
pute. 8 vo. 8s. 1803.

'N thus early pre Tenting our readers with an account
^ of fo ufeful a work as the new Edinburgh Phar¬
macopoeia, we fhall, we truft, perform an acceptable
piece of fervice. The firft edition of this Pharmaco¬
poeia was publiihed in the year 1685, and the prefent
is the ninth edition. -Hence it appears that the Col¬
lege of Edinburgh have thought it neceffary to revife
their Pharmacopoeia much more frequently than the
London College, which latter has publifhed only three

Hit faiiiv. is l. ue in an eipecial manner or the Gentleman s Map-a-
?.me, waich foi a long time refufed to admit not opinions only, but
the plaineft ftatements of fa&s on the fubjefl. Yet the editors do not
icruple to foul their pages monthly with the recommendation of empiri¬
cal trafh, and old women’s no drums, in cafes where the mod prompt
and ikilfal interference of art is necedary to preferve life.

editions

Nezu Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia .

editions in the courfe of more than a century pad, viz.
in 1721, 1746, and 1788. The edition next preced¬
ing 1721 appeared, we believe, in 1676. It is Im-
poffible to determine after what intervals a new edi¬
tion ought to be printed, as the expediency of this
mud depend upon the progrefs of fcience and cafual
difcoveries ; but it may be fafely affirmed, that the
public have been deprived of much benefit by the
College of London allowing fuch long intervals to
elapfe between their editions, as thofe above dated.
From the companion of the prefen t work with the
lad London Difpenfatory of 1788, there appear to us
very cogent proofs of the great advantages to be exr
pedted from a reform of the latter.

In the preface, the changes effedied fin'ce the pre¬
ceding edition are noticed; and we are informed that
the improvements of foreign pharmacopoeias have been
attended to. Some new medicines have been admit¬
ted, on the authority of others, as well as from the
experience of the authors. Some articles, which
were formerly inferred from fuperdition and credulity,
are now excluded ; the rule, however, is obferved of,
prajlat copia quam penuria premi.

A confiderable alteration is introduced in the no¬
menclature of the drugs and prefcriptions. Linnaeus’s
fyftem is chiefly followed for the limples, and the me¬
thodical nomenclature, or names of the new fyftem of
chemiftry, for elementary fubflances and compounds
of them.

As the old chemical terms are now generally explod¬
ed, and new ones introduced, denoting the nature and
compofition of fubflances commonly ufed by chemifls,
it feemed fit that medicinal fubflances Ihould enjoy
the fame advantages of language as thofe exclufively
chemical. Certain fimples, however, have under¬
gone no change of names, being fo well known by
their prefen t brief titles, and the new ones being ver-
bofe ; as, Opium , Mofchus , Cajloreum , Crocus an -
glicits , which retain their former names. And for the

fame

New Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia .

fame reafons, the terms Tinctura & Spiritus do not
give way to AlcohoL

We (hall now point out the principal novelties in
the prefent work, as compared with the la il edition.

1ft, Under the head of Ponderum ratio there is
no change.

2d. The Ordo capitum is made rather clearer ;
and in two or three infiances, as Synonyma, new terms

are inferted.

3d. Materia Medica, As the Linnaean names are
now rendered the officinal ones, the order of the ar¬
ticles is quite different from that in the former edi¬
tion y but we obferve, alfo, that feveral fimples are
expunged from the lift; as the Abrotanum , Arijiolo -
c hia, Arlemifia vulgaris , Arum macula turn, A fur urn,
Atriplex foetida . Bryonia alba, Convallaria , Cttbeba ,
Cumvnim , Curcuma , Cufcuta , Dictammis albur , Dul¬
camara, Flammula joins 9 For man gr eecum, Fuligo lig-
ni, Fumaria , Ginfeng , Irledera terrejlris , // elenium.
Hydro lapathum, Imperatoria , 7m paluftris , Lichen
ijtandicus , Ligujlrum , Lilinhi album , Millefolium ,
Millepede , Ox alls aceloftlla , Parietaria , Plant ago.
Primus f pint fa , Pulfatilla nigricans , Radix indie a 3
Lope zi an a, Salix, Sant alum citrinum 3 Satyr ion, Scolo -
pen dr him, Scordium , Thymus , Afplenivm, Trie ho manes,
Verbafcum, Viper a , Urt.ica , Zingiber conditum.—
Thus, near fifty articles have been expelled.

The new limples inferted, are, — Cinchona caribaa ,
cortex; Cinchona, cortex Jtavus and cortex ruber;
Smie tenia febrifuge ; Swietenia mahogani.

Simple Preparations . Under this head we only
obferve the Axungia porcina pr separata and <?/-
freorum left out, and the names of the articles chang¬
ed. We doubt the propriety of the term Carbonas
Jerri to denote what was formerly called Rubigo ferri%
not being Satisfied that it really' confifts of carbonic
1'iwrd and non oxide. Opium is no longer directed to *

be :

New Edinburgh Pharm acopcrid, 61

be purified by diffolution in fpirit of wine and evapo¬
ration of the tincture.

Conferva. The chapter contains the fame kinds of
them as before, except the conferva prunorum Jilvcf
trium , which is omitted.

Sued . This article remains as before.

Sued fpiffiati. A particular praefeription is given
for the hemlock ; otherwife the articles are as before.

Oltafixa 9 five expreffia , are as before, except as to
the omiffion of the Oleum rieini , which is directed
only as prepared in the Weil Indies, viz. by boiling;
the bruited feeds in water.

Emuljiones. As before.

Inf v fa. The Infujum cinchona officinalis , and /.
digitalis purpurea ?, are new prafferiptions. The Aqua
Calcis fhould be among the Salina. The other prepay
rations are as in the former edition. We think the
Mucilages fhould have been under a diftinbf head.,
and not among the Jifufa.

Decocta . Thefe differ from the fame head in the
former difpenfatory only in the titles.

Syrups. As before, except the order and the titles;

Vina. The Vinum antitnonii tartar ifati is omitted;
the reafon for fo doing we are curious to know, as
we efteem this the moil ufeful of all the formulas for
antimony. The other formulae are as before, except
the order and titles.

Aceta. Of the three formulae, two are as before ;
but the third, the Acidum aettojum camphor a turn , is
a new one.

Tine t ura. The only new praefeription under this
head, is the Tinctura digitalis purpurea , which is di¬
rected to be prepared by infufing one ounce of the
dried leaves in eight ounces of proof fpirit.

Extracta . Thefe are diftinguiihed as prepared
lft. per aqua m ; and, 2d. per aquam et. alcohol.

The Extraction pulfatilUe nigricantis is expunged ;
and the Extract ion hwmatoxyli campechcnjis is a new
prescription, with water alone : in the former edition.

New Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia.

it was prepared with the fpirituous folution, and the'
decodtion mixed, as the

Extractum cinchona is prefcrihed in the prefent and
f o r tnerpharmacopoeia.

The only two extrafts prepared according to the
title per aquam et alcohol are thofe of cinchona and
jalap.

Aqua ft i Hat ilia. The aqua anethi is exploded : the
other praefcripjtions are as before.

Spirilus jlillatilii. The articles here are as formerly*

Ole a volatilia. As before ; except with the omif-
fion of the oleum mentha fativa .

Oleofa. Alfo as before, except with the addition
of oleum Uni cum calce, which is prepared by mixing
together equal parts of lime water and linfeed oil; a
favourite prefeription in Scotland for burns and fealds.

Sales et falina : The new preferiptions here, are—
I. The acidum acetofum forte , prepared by diflilling
one pound of exliccated fulphare of iron with ten
ounces of acetite of lead. 2. The quantity of fulphu-
ric acid is increafed from one pound to fixteen ounces
in making the acidum muriaticum . 3. The proper*

tion alfo of fulphuric acid is increafed from one pound
to fixteen ounces in the diftillation of the acidum ni-
trojum. 4. The acidum nitricum , a new article, is
directed to be prepared by diddling the acidum nitro-
fum till the redded part is feparated. 5. Aqua fuper-
carhonaiis potajfa is prepared by faturating the ' carbo-
nas potajja with carbonic acid, in the Nooth s or
W olfe s apparatus. 6. Aqua Jiiper-carbonatis foda is
prepared in a fimilar manner. 7. Sulphur alum potajja
is ordered to be prepared by mixing equal parts of
lulphur and carbonate of potafh, and melting them in
a covered crucible, which when cold mud be broken.
8. Hij dro-fuLph u rein m ammonia is prepared by re¬
ceiving the gas, extricated on adding muriatic acid to
fulphuret oi iron, in aqua ammonia. 9. Rlurias ba¬
ryta is made ol fulphate or baryte, rendered into ful*
phurei by car Don, and then decomposed by muriatic

acidl

6 %

New Edinburgh PhannacopmicU

acid. 10, Solatia muriatis baryta is the diffolution
of one part of cryftals of muriate of baryte in three
parts of diftilled water. 11. Solutio muriatis calcis
is prepared in the ufuai way, from muriatic acid and
marble, or chalk.

Metallicct. 1. Of the Antimonials, the calx anti -
monii nitrata is exploded ; and fo is the vinum anti -
rnonii : the reft are as formerly, under new names. 2.
The Copper preparations are as before. 3. The Iron
preparations have been increafed by the infertion of
the J alphas ferri exjiccatus . 4. The Mercurial pre-

feriptions are as in the former work, the titles only
being changed, 5. There is of Lead but one prepa¬
ration, as before, viz. the acetis plumb i . 6. Zinc .

The folutio fulphatis zinci , and acctitis zinci, are new,
but the aqua zinci vitriolata is expunged.

Pu Iveres . The only new article here, is, the pul
vis cpiatus , compofed of one part of opium and nine
of carbonate of lime.

Electa aria. As before.

P Unite. 1, The pilulce opii are made up with extradt
of liquorice and pimento*; inftead of foap, extradf of
liquorice, and pimento. 2. The pilulce aloeticce are
made up with foap, in place of extradf of gentian. 3.
The pilulce hydrargyri are now prepared with con-
ferve of rofes and ftarch, inftead of manna and liquo¬
rice powder, as before, 4. The pilulce plummeri are
omitted.

Trochifchi . Thefe are as formerly.

Liniment a , Unguent a, ct Cerata . The ungueatum
oxidi hydrargyri cinerei , and oxidi hydrargyri rubric
are new ; and fo is the iinguentum acidi nitrofi , which
is from Alyon , the French phyftcian: in other refpedfs
there is no alteration in this chapter.

Emplajira . Here, alfo, we perceive no change?
except in the nomenclature and the order.

The work concludes, as ufuai, with a Table, exhi¬
biting the quantity of opium, antimony, and mercury,
contained in many of the preferiptions ; and laft of

all

64 Hunnius on the Caufes, He., of Dy f enter y.

all are the Indices of the Nojmna Mutata , and the
Index Medicamentornm .

With regard to the change of nomenclature, it rauft
be acknowledged that the new denominations have
many and great advantages ; becaufe the methodical
names of Linnceus , and of the new chemiftry, are
now univerfally known, or may readily be fo, by con*
fulling the fy ft e ms ; and there can be no miftake as to
what is meant by them : fo that if, at any future pe¬
riod, the deferiptions of the articles fliould be loft, and
the fyke ms to which they belong fhould alone furvive*
no miftake can arife. For want of this aid, we are ig¬
norant of many of the ft m pies really ufed by the Greek
mnd other antient phyftcians. On the other hand, the
names, it mu ft be allowed, are frequently long, cum-
berfome, and often inelegant ; fo that if import were
not conveyed by them, they would be fcarcely tolera¬
ble, How far fo great a facrifice ought to be made to
import, we leave others to determine.

While the above work was in our band, we re¬
ceived another difpenfatory, from the pen of Dr. A.
Duncan, jum, of Edinburgh, containing an entire
tranflation into Englifh of the prefent, as well as of the
o&avo edition of the London Pharmacopoeia of 179],
of the Dublin Pharmacopoeia or 1794, with many pre-
feriptions from other fources ; together with the ele¬
ments of pharmaceutical chemiftry and the natural
hiftory of different medicines.

Of this very ufeful book, for practitioners of all de-
feriptions in medicine, it will be our duty to °dve an
account the ftrft opportunity.

Art. On the Caufes > Complications , and Treat -
nien t of Dy fen levy . By F R a n z - W i c h - C h r i s t i a n

Hunnius, Phyfician at Weimar , in Saxony . 8vo„
209 pages.

(Bib. Germ,, torn. 2.)

THIS

Hunnius on the Cciufes , & fc., of Dyfentery . 65

treatife is from the pen of a juftly celebrated
j|_ continental practitioner, and contains a view of
the opinions of both antient and modern writers on this
difeafe. The author endeavours to (hew, from experi¬
ence and obfervation, that the different methods of
curing dyfentery are founded on, and vary with, the
nature of the different epidemic conftitutions, the dif-
tinCfive characters of which he attempts to defcribe.
The work is divided into three chapters ; ofthefe, the
firft contains the defcription of the difeafe.

Dyfentery, it is obferved, is a difeafe which attacks
many perfons at one time, efpecially about the end of
fummer or beginning of autumn : it difappears,
ufually, at the end of the latter feafon ; and, by the
e million of contagious miafmata, may be communi¬
cated from one individual to another.

There are two fpecies of dyfentery, the one with,
the other without, fever : the firft fpecies, again, fubdi-
vides itfel'f into two varieties; in one of which, the
characieriftic fymptoms of the difeafe appear before
the fever ; in the latter, this order is reverfed.

In the fecond chapter, the caufes of the difeafe are
treated of ; and here the author, in common with the
majority of continental praftitioners, recurs to the
fuppofition of a morbid acrimony in the fluids, depo-
fiting itfelf particularly on the large inteftines, befides
exciting the general fymptoms of fever in the fyftem.
This acrimony he attributes to the fudden repreflion
of the perfpirable matter, rendered acrid by the pre¬
vious fummer heats.

In regard to the cure, which makes the fubjeft: of
the laft chapter, the chief indications are founded on the
aetiology above mentioned ; and are, 1ft, The evacua-
tion of the morbific matters by gentle emetics and laxa¬
tives. 2d; The ieffening the determination of the
fluids towards the inteftines, and determining them,
efpecially towards the furface, by gently relaxing and
fudorific remedies. 3d, Reftoring the loft tone of the
inteftines, by the employment of fuch as are ftrengthen-
vql, x. F lag

66 HeyV Practical Ohfervations in Surgery .

ing and mildly reftringent. 4. By proper manage*
ment of the febrile fymptoms that ufually accompany
the difeafe. — Happily, thefe indications readily fquare
with the moft fuccefsful treatment, as fuggefied by ex¬
perience alone. Thus it is, that hypothetical difcuf*
lions with refped to the nature and caufes of difeafes
are lefs pernicious in the hands of prudent an-d cautious
praditioners, who know how to fubmit themfelves to
the didates of obfervation, than might a priori have
been expeded. Amidft all the variety of hypothefes
which have prevailed at different times, the mode of
treatment in difeafes has in reality varied but little
fince the days of Hippocrates.

Art. XL Practical Ohfervations in Surgery , il-
lujl rated with Cafes . By W. Hey, Ejq., FJLS.%
Senior Surgeon of the General Infirmary at Leeds ^
Sc, 8vo., 537 pages, price 10s. London, 1803.
Cad ell and Davies.

np HE volume before us merits the attention of our
JL chirurgical readers, as a work containing much
valuable information on feveral of the moft important
points in lurgery. The author’s opportunities, dur¬
ing a long courfe of practice, and in a fituation that
afforded him extenfive means of obfervation, have
been great; and he has profited by them.

I he firff iubjed that engages the author’s attention^'
is. Fractures of the Skull. The chief purport of his*
ohfervations here, is , to oppofe a pradice, too frequent
among!! the older furgeons, and recommended even in
our own times by the late Mr. Pott ; viz. the excifion
of a considerable portion of the fcalp, in cafes where
the application of the trepan becomes neceffary. T he
pradice, however, though frequent a few years fmce,
has now pretty generally gone into difufe, in Britain
at ieaft 9 a fimple incifion, in one or more diredions,

being

Hey V Practical Obfervatvons in Surgery . 67

being found, in almoft every cafe, fufficient for the pur-
pole.

Another point of not lefs importance is inculcated,
viz. the prefervation of every portion of the cranium
poflible, and which the fafety of the patient does not
compel us to remove. c The only inftrument,’ the
author obferves c now in general ufe, for fawing out
any portion of the cranium, is the trephine, or trepan.
I fpeak of thefe as one, as they differ only in the man¬
ner of working. The ufe of this inftrument caufes
an unneceffary deftru61ion of the cranium, and in
other refpedts is attended with inconvenience. The
piece of bone fawed out by the trephine muft be of
one figure, whatever be the form of the fracture ; and
the quantity of bone removed muft be generally
greater (fometimes confiderably greater) than the cafe
requires.’

Inftead of the trephine, or circular faw, therefore, the
author ftrongly recommends the ufe of a ftraight faw,
the edge of which may be either ftraight or round. This
may be either worked in a ftraight or a curvilineai direc¬
tion, and enfures the removal of no more bone than
is requifite to fet an entangled or depreffed portion
at liberty, or to allow of the difcharge of extravafated
blood or matter from beneath the cranium. It ap¬
pears to us to be a very material improvement on the
circular faw, and we have no doubt will come into ge¬
neral ufe. Its merits have been eftabiifhed by a trial
of twenty years, during which the author has rarely
employed the trephine ; and its ufe, he obferves, has
■been adopted by his colleagues at theLeed’s Infirmary.
Mr. Hey does not claim the merit of invention, with
regard to it; as it was firft fhewn to him by Dr. Cock-
ell , of Pontefraft. A faw formed on the fame princi¬
ple is reprefented in Scultetuf s Armamentarium Chi-
rurgicum. — Some cafes are related, where the inftru¬
ment thus improved was employed with fuccefs ; to
the great advantage of the patient, and acceleration
of his cure. It has been applied, alfo, for the removal

F 2 of

68 HeyV Practical Oh [creations in Surgery.

of caries in the tibia and other bones* and with equal
advantage over the trephine.

The fubjeft of the fecond chapter is Cataract . The
intention of the author here, is, to eft i mate the merits
and difadvantages of the two operations of couching
and extraction, to the former of which he gives a de¬
cided preference. His arguments on this point are
entitled to much attention, as they are derived from a
confiderable extent of experience and obfervation.
As the author has, with a fmgle exception, been al¬
ways in the habit of deprefhng the opaque cryltalline,
he was not competent, from his own experience, to
drawT a comparifon between this operation and that
of extraflion ; yet it is fufficiently evident, from the
faffs here adduced, that the former mav in moft cafes
be performed with fafety and fuccefs, and is free from
many objections which have been made to it by thofe
who give the preference uniformly to the method of
extraction.

c When the nature and variety of the parts wound¬
ed in couching are confidered,’ Mr. Hey obferves, s a*
perfon not accuftomed to this operation might reafon-
ably conclude, that it would ufually be followed by a
confiderable degree of inflammation. Yet 1 can with
truth affert, that, when it is performed in the manner
above deferibed, the ufifal confequence is nothing
more than a tendernefs of the eye, which goes off by
degrees, it the patient ufes the proper cautions. Fre¬
quently the eye appears as free from inflammation as j
it did before the operation, excepting a flight rednefs
in the conjunctiva, wThere the punCture was made.
Nor is the operation itfelf attended with that degree
of pain which one might reafonably expeCt. It is com¬
monly fpoken of by the patient as inconfiderable. A
iad), wrhom I couched in this town, was afked by her
daughter, immediately after the operation, what de~*
gree of pain (he had felt. Her reply was this: <f I ex-*

peeled, to have felt an acute pain, though of fhort

* “ duration ;

Hey’* Practical Obferoations in Surgery. 69

“ duration ; but I did not. I only felt as ,if fome-
“ thing was prefling againft my eye.” ’

Amongft other reafons for preferring the operation^
of couching, the author obferves, that it is lefs difficult
than that of extra£lion. 4 Of this opinion wras the
late Mr. Sharp ; and no inconfiderable teftimony to
the validity of this opinion is afforded by the following
fa£f, that all the patients who undergo the' operation
of extractions in one of the principal hofpitals of the
metropolis, are committed to the care of one furgeon ;
though the reft of the furgeons, who decline this
operation, are in the habit of performing all others*
which the cafes of their refpeClive patients may
required

The needle employed by the author in couching
differs from that in common ufe, and is thus defcribed.

4 The length of the needle is fomewhat lefs than an
inch. It would be fufficiently long if it did not ex¬
ceed feven-eighths of an inch. It is round, except
near the point, where it is made flat by grinding two
oppofite fldes. The flat part is ground gradually
thinner to the extremity of the needle, which is femi-
circular, and ought to be made as fharp as a lancet.
The flat part extends in length about an eighth of an
inch, and its fldes are parallel. From the plafce where
the needle ceafes to be flat, its diameter gradually in-
creafes towards the handle. The flat part is one-
fortieth of an inch in diameter ; the part which is near-
eft the handle is one-twentieth of an inch. The hai>

4 ,

die, which is three inches and a half in length, is
made of light wood ftained black, It is o diagonal,
and has a little ivory inlaid in the two fldes which cor-
refpond with the edges of the needled

Chap. 3 treats of Strangulated Hernia. The author
endeavours here to eftimate, from his own experience,
the advantages really derivable from the different means
that have been recommended in the treatment of this
affection, With rcfpecl to blood-letting, opinions

F 3 have

70 Hey\y Practical Ob f Creations in Surgery.

have been widely different. Mr. Pott infills on it
as of the greateli momenta and as almoft indifpenfi-
ble in all cafes. Mr. Wilmer, on the contrary, thought
that“ large and repeated bleedings increafe the debi¬
lity, and do-much mifehief; and that they are alfo ex¬
tremely unfavourable to the patient’s recovery, fhould
the operation be afterwards performed.” Mr. Alarffon
fupports this opinion ; and goes fo far as to fay, that
he does not think bleeding ever of the fmalleft fervice
in forwarding reduction. This matter, however, as
the author juflly obferves, has been carried to an ex¬
treme on both fides. He has feen cafes in which
bleeding has been clearly ferviceable, and others in
which he judged it to be improper. It has, however,
generally failed in his hands to procure a reduction of
the flrangulated intefline.

Purgatives taken by the mouth, the author condemns
almoft univerfally the ufe of, while the intefline re¬
mains firmly flrangulated. Purgative clyflers have
in no inflance, in the author’s practice, procured a re¬
duction of the hernia. The warm bath has been often
fuccefsful ; but it has likewife often failed. Gentle
efforts with the hand to reduce the prolapfed part are
perhaps attended with lefs danger, and with great¬
er profpeCt of fuccefs while the patient lies in the
bath, than in any other pofition.

_ ‘ I have,’ he lays, c feen feveral cafes in which opiates
given freely (in athletic perfons after bleeding) have
procbre^l a recluftion of a flrangulated hernia. I have
alfo received accounts of fuccefs by the fame means
from fome of my medical correfpondents ; but I can¬
not fay that this remedy is generally fuccefsful. One
circum fiance relative to the ufe of this medicine de¬
serves to be noted, viz. that it will often remove for a
time the pain and vomiting ufually attendant upon a
ftrangulation, even where it proves ultimately ineffica¬
cious. 1 have already related one inftance in which
trie vomiting and pain were fufpended during forty-
eight hours 5 lo that the patient lay eafy, and retain¬
ed

HeyV Practical Obfervations in Surgery . 71

ed upon his ftomach every thing that he took, though
the llrangulation continued. I have feen other in-
ftances, of perfons remaining eafy and free from vomit¬
ing for twenty-four hours, after taking fifty drops of
tinftura opii. On this account opium is a valuable
remedy, when the patient is fo fituated that it is ne-
ceflary to remove him to a conliderable diftance be¬
fore the operation can be performed. Opiates fhould
be given in large dofes when it is intended to try
their effeft for procuring redu£lion ; and whenever the
fymptoms of llrangulation return, after having been
removed by the ufe of opiates, the operation lliould
be performed without farther delay."

Cold dupes, and the cold bath, the author has ufed
with evident advantage, but oftener without fuccefs.
A (ingle immerlion of the patient in cold water caufed
the fpontaneous afcent of a drangulated inteiline ; but
it has alfo failed in other cafes.

Injections of tobacco Mr. H. confiders as one of the
mod efficacious remedies, and have fucceeded where
other means have failed ; yet even thefe are not ge¬
nerally fuccefsful. He prefers the infufion or decoc¬
tion of the herb (one drachm to a pint of water) to the
fume or fmoke.

The uncertainty of all other means being confider-
ed, the neceffity of an early recurrence to the opera¬
tion is evident, and furgeons are now very generally
agreed on this point. It was the opinion of Mr. Pott,
that the operation, when performed in a proper man¬
ner, and in due time, does not prove the caufe of death
oftener than perhaps once in fifty times: it would un¬
doubtedly, therefore, preferve the lives of many to per¬
form it almod as foon as the difeafe commenced, with¬
out increafing the danger by fpending much time in
the ufe of means which cannot be depended on for a
cure. The author has twice feen. the difeafe prove
fatal in about twenty-four hours.

F 4

72' HcyV Practical Obfervaiiom in Surgery ■

In regard to the femoral hernia, the author enters
tains forne opinions that are peculiar to him, or at leaf:
fuch as are not generally heid on the .fu.bj.e6h He
maintains, with M. Gimhernatf that the ftranguja-
tion in this fpecies of hernia, is not can fed by Poupart' s
ligament. ‘In the femoral hernia,’ Mr. Hey obferves,

* the prolapfed parts defcend within the aponeurotic
(heath, which envelopes the great ve dels of the thigh,
and which is ftrongly attached at its fuperior part to
the offia pubis. The anterior layer of this (heath is
formed, in part, by a continuation of the fafcia of the
abdominal mufcies, paffing down upon the thigh.—
About three-eighths of an inch below Poupart’s liga¬
ment, there exifts in this aponeurotic (heath another,
ligament, fomewhat fimilar to that of Poupart, but
fmaller. It runs tranfverfely, but does not defcend
obliquely, as that ligament does ; on the contrary, it
rather a (bends as it approaches the fymphifis ot the
offia pubis, paihng behind, and deeuffating, the extre¬
mity of Poupart’s ligament. As I (hall have occafion
to mention this ligament frequently, I (hall, by way of
diftin&iah-, call it the femoral ligament \

‘ This ligament is not fituated in the fame plane
with that of Poupart, but lies deeper; that is, at a
greater diftance from the integuments, though it is re-
prefented in the plate as nearly in the fame plane,
from being puflbed outwards by a finger thfuft down
behind it, while the drawing Was taken, that it might
he brought more diftinctly into view.’

c I hat part of the fafcia ot the thigh, to which I
fave given the name of femoral ligament , may eafily
be difcovered, by introducing the finger (after the ab¬
domen has been laid open) into the aponeurotic (heath
ot the great femoral vefiels, behind Poupart’s hga-
j -f • the finger pafles downwards, it will be
p‘e(;ed upon by a part ot the fafcia, more compact

* Hew Method of operating for the Femoral Hernia , tranflated by Dr.
Jledaoes : an account of this will be found in our 2d vol., p, 516'.

than

Hey V Practical Obfervations in Surgery .

than the reft, which runs tranfverfely about three-
eighths of an inch below Poupart’s ligament, and
fometimes prefents a (harp edge to the finger. When
this is examined by diftedtion, it will be found to re~
femble the inferior border of the aponeurofis of the ex¬
ternal oblique mufcle of the abdomen. In thefe fub--
jedts, which I have di defied on purpofe, I have not
found it equally diftinff ; but it has been, in all of
them, fufiiciently apparent. In this examination one
may perceive,, that a prolapfed inteftine would receive
very little prefiure from Poupart’s ligament, in com-
parifon of that which it muft fuffer from this inferior
ligament, the ftrudf ure and fituation of which account
clearly for the peculiar phenomena of the femoral
hernia .*

The importance of the diftinflion now made, in re*
gard to the performance of the operation, is very great
and manifeft. 4 In performing the operation for the
ftrangulated femoral hernia, the furgeon ought to be
aware that the hernial fac is ufually thinner than in
the fcrqtal hernia. After a divifion of the integuments,
the fac ought, therefore, to be opened with great
caution. The ftridfure made upon the prolapfed parts
is very great, as I have already obferved ; but if the
tip of the finger can be introduced within the femoral
ring, to guide the bubonocele knife, a fmall incifion
(for the ring is narrow) will be fufficient to fet the
parts at liberty. If the tip of the finger cannot be in¬
troduced at the proper place, a director with a deep
groove muft be ufed inftead of the finger ; but I prefer
the latter. The finger or diredtor fhould not be intro¬
duced very near the great veffels, but on that fide of
the inteftine or omentum which is neareft to the
fymphyfis of the of fa pubis : the incifion may then be
made diredtly upwards. The furgeon muft take e fpe-
cial care to introduce his finger or director within that
part where he finds the ftriefure to be the greateft,
which, in this fpecies of hernia, is the moft interior
part of the wound. The difficulty of executing this

part

74 Mey’s Practical Ob [creations in Surgery.

part of the operation fhould not induce the furgeon to
divide any part which is of more eafy accefs. It is
much more eafy to divide the abdominal (Poupart's)
than the femoral ligament ; but it is the divifton of the
latter only, that will fet the prolapfed parts at liberty.
The aponeurofis, which lies between the abdominal
and femoral ligaments, is yielding, and will not ufu-
aily, I believe, prevent the reduction of the mteltine,
when the femoral ligament is divided. I had repeat¬
edly wondered that, in this operation, fo fmall a divi-
lion of the mod: interior and contracted part Ihould
prove fuificient for the reduction: but fmee I have
etifeovered the fit nation and ftructure of the femoral
ring, my wonder has ceafed. I had, from experi¬
ence, gained a knowledge of the proper manner of
performing this operation before I had acquired, from
anatomical invelligations, a juft idea of the part which
principally caufes theftrangulation. I had prefumed (as
1 fuppofe every other furgeon did) that X was dividing
Poupart's ligament when I removed the ftricture ; but
I knew, practically, that a fmall divilion of the moil:
interior part ufuallv proved fufficient.’

As a fmall incifion of the ftriCtured part is all that
is neceffary in general to fet the inteftine at liberty, it
does not appear that the rilk of dividing the fpermatic
or epigaftric arteries is fo great as is commonly fup-
pofed, provided the operation be done with the re-
qoiftte caution.

The author deferibes a new fpecies of fcrotal her¬
nia, in which he found the hernial fac, as well as its
contents, within the cavity of the tunica vaginalis tefti-s.
This unufuai occurrence he thus explains: — the her¬
nia here muft have taken place, after the aperture of
the tunica vaginalis towards the abdomen vvas clofed,
but while it remained in the form of a bao- as hwh as
the abdominal ring. Hence the tunica vaginalis
w o * } .1 v't receive the hernial fac with its included mtef-
<. i.t, permit the iac to come into contaCt with
teTcit, This kind of icrotal hernia the author

terms

Hey V Practical Qbfervations in Surgery . 7 5

terms hernia infantilis , as it can only exift when the
rupture is formed while the parts retain the ftate pe¬
culiar to early infancy.

c The fcrotal hernia, therefore, may be divided into
three fpecies, the fpecific difference of which arifes
from the ftate of the tunica vaginalis at the time of the
defcent 1, If the abdominal aperture of this procefs
is open when the inteftine or omentum is protruded,
the rupture is then called hernia congenita . 2. If the

upper part of the procefs remains open, but 'the abdo¬
minal aperture is doled, and is capable of refilling the
force of the protruding part, the hernia then becomes of
that lpecies which I have now defcribed, the hernia in¬
fantilis. 3. If the cavity of the upper part of the procefs
is obliterated, and the feptum is formed a little above
the tefticle, as in the adult ftate, the hernial fac then de-
fcends on the outfide of the tunica vaginalis, and forms
the moft common fpecies of fcrotal rupture, which
may with propriety be called hernia drills '

A new trufs for the exomphalos, or umbilical her¬
nia, is defcribed, and which promifes very effectually
to anfwer its intention*. It confifts of two pieces of
thin elaftic fteel, which furround the ftdes of the ab¬
domen, and nearly meet behind. At their anterior
extremity they form, conjointly, an oval ring, to one
ftde of which is fattened a fpring of fteel, of the form
reprefented. At the end of this fpring is placed the
pad, or bolfter, that preffes upon the hernia. By the
elafticity of this fpring the hernia is repreffed in every
pofition of the body, and is thereby retained conftant-
ly within the abdomen. A piece of calico or jean is
fattened to each tide of the oval ring, having a contff
nued loop at its edge, through which a piece of tape
is put that may be tied behind the body. This con-
trivance helps to preferve the inftrument fteady in its
proper fituation.

* The inventor is W. Marrifon of Leeds, trufs-maker.

76 Hey’s Practical Obfervations in Surgery/. *

In the 4th chapter the author treats of a difeafe not
hitherto* as he believes, defcribed*, and to which he
gives the name of Fungus Hamatodes . Ten cafes of
it are particularly defcribed* one of which we (hall
extraft, as ferving to point out the nature of the dif¬
eafe better than any general defcription.

« Cafe 2. July 20th, 1785, I vrfited Mrs. Dean, of
Linton, a maiden lady, aged fifty-four years, who had
a conftderable enlargement ot the left mamma . She
informed me, that, about three months before, as fine
was exerting herfelf in railing her father (who was fu-
perannuated, and confined to his bed), ffle felt a fe il¬
lation as if fom.ethinar- had cracked in her bread. With-
in a few days alter this accident, (he perceived a fmall
tumour in the part, about thp iize of a hazel nut : this
tumour increafed . gradually in bulk; was hard, and
moveable. When it had arrived at the fize of an ap¬
ple, it was (hewn to Mr. Moorhoufe, a furgeon at
Skipton, who confidered it as an occult cancer, and
advjfed extirpation. Afterwards Mr. Prieftley, a fur¬
geon at Leeds (who accompanied me in this vifit), be¬
ing in the neighbourhood of Linton, was confulted.
He, entertaining hopes of removing the difeafe by in¬
ternal remedies, did not recommend an operation* but
advifed Mrs.. Dean to take the cicuta.

4 The tumour had increafed very much within the
Jaft fix weeks before my firft feeing it ; and, when I
firft faw it, extended nearly to the axilla on one fide*
and aim oft to the fternum on the other. Its furface
was uneven. The integuments were in general thick,
but not un'iverfaljy fa: in fome parts they felt rather
thin ; and upon prefling thofe parts, it feemed as if
the tumour contained a fluid. When I prefled the
thick and harder parts of the tumour, I had the fenfa-
tion of fomething crackling beneath my fingers, as if

t A difeafe very fimilar is mentioned by Mr. Burns of Glafgow 8
under the title of the Spongoid Inflammation . See Med, & ‘c'hir.
Rev. v. 8. p. 211.

HfeyV Practical Observations in Surgery, 7 7

by the preffure I had broken fome fibrous fubfiance.
Shooting pains had been felt at times in the tumour
from its commencement : they were now more fre¬
quent ; and Mrs. D. paffed the nights uneafily. She
was languid, aud her appetite was bad.

e I was apprehenfive that the tumour had arifen from
the rupture of fome blood veffels, and that it would
prove an untraflable difeafe. I thought it too late to
attempt extirpation; andf imagining that the integu¬
ments would foon give way, and that a confiderable
haemorrhage might fupervene upon the burlting of the
tumour, 1 informed my patient that I could not be of
any fervice to her at the di, fiance of thirty miles ; and
that it would be neceffary for her to come to Leeds,,
if (he wifhed for my affiiiance.

c About a week after this vifit, Mrs. D, came to,
Leeds, and put herfelf under the care of Mr, Prieftley
and myfelfi Within ten days after her arrival, ihe was
feized with the dyfentery, which was then epidemic
in the town. The affillance of Dr. Davifon, a phyfi-
cian in Leeds, was requeued in the treatment of the
dyfentery. During the continuance of this difeafe,,
the (kin covering the tumour gave way ; a dark-co¬
loured fubflance arofe in the fiffure, and blood began
to ooze out from the aperture at the bafe of this fub-
ftance.

6 The more I re Heeled on the origin, progrefs, and
appearance of the tumour, the more inclined I was to
believe that the difeafe was exactly fimilar to that
which had affe&ed the thigh of poor Campinet. I re¬
lated this man’s cafe to Dr. Davifon and Mr. Prleftley^
and expreffed my opinion, that Mrs. Dean’s tumour
would be found to be of the fame nature. As the
fituation of this tumour precluded the advantage of
applying a tourniquet, I expefied that the hemor¬
rhage would prove fatal whenever a large opening
fhould be made. However, I did not choofe to withr
hold my affiflance, how little foever that might avail ;
and confulted the gentlemen, who attended with me,

upon

78 Hey V Practical Obfervations in Surgery,

upon the method to be purfued, whenever the degree
of haemorrhage fhould render it neceffary to make fome
farther attempt to preferve the life of our patient.

< Auguft 19th, Mrs. Dean was nearly, but not en¬
tirely, free from her dyfenteric complaints, when the
aperture in the tumour became fo large as to difcharge
a confiderable quantity of blood. The orifice was
now filled with a loofe plug of blood. When this was
pufhed inwards, a great deal of extravafated blood,
of a dark colour, ruflied out ; partly fluid, and partly
coagulated.

* I cut off a large oval portion of the difeafed inte¬
guments, with the defign both of preventing the hae¬
morrhage which they would have caufed, and of en¬
abling me to apply the more readily, to the remaining
part of the cavity, fuch ftyptics as we had determined
to make ufe of.

s The fungous fubftance, which principally confli-
tuted this tumour, had the fame appearance as that
which I have defcribed in Campinet’s cafe, and evi¬
dently bled upon being broken. It adhered ffronglv
to the remaining part of the integuments, which
formed a great number of irregular cells. Indeed, the
whole internal furface of the fac containing this fungus
was compofed of thefe cells, except the bottom, formed
by the peftoral mufcle, where the furface was more
even. When the whole of the contained fungus was
removed from the bottom of the fac, a portion of the
pefforal mufcle, about two inches fquare, was left
uncovered. The mufcle was in a morbid ftate, and
appeared as if it had been expofed to the air, and bad
begun to form granulations on its furface. The muf-
culai fibres were fcarcely diltinguifhable. The whole
internal furface or the lac bled uniformly, as if the
blood had been fqueezeci from a fponge. To the
mufeular pari I applied Rufpini’s ftyptic, and to ther
remainder of the cavity hot oil of turpentine. The
cavity was gently filled with lint dipped in thefe li¬
quids;

Hey 9s Practical Obfervalions in Surgery * 79

quids; and the applications were retained in their
place by a circular bandage put round the thorax,

* Notwithstanding our patient was kept in bed, in
a horizontal poiition, during the operation, which I
endeavoured to perform with all polhhle expedition,
yet fne fell into a deliquium before the dreffings could
be applied. She was, however, loon recruited, and
fpoke to us cheerfully. We did not remove her in
the lead from her pofition ; but made her as clean
and comfortable as we could. We directed that fhe
fliould be fupplied frequently with wine gruel, and
other cordial nutriment of the moil grateful kind.

c At two o'clock in the night her pulfe cea fed to
be diftinguifhable, and at eleven in the morning of the
next day fhe expired.

5 I did not obferve any unufual appearance of blood
upon the bandages ; but Mrs. F., at whofe houfe die
lodged, afterwards informed me, that (upon laying
out the body,) a good deal of blood was difcovered
to have iffued from the cavity of the tumour.’

The difeafe here defcribed may affect indifcrimi-
nately any part of the body ; various inftances of
which are adduced. Of fixteen or feventeen cafes
which the author has feen, he has not been able to
eifeff a cure in any one, but by amputation of the
limb, when the feat of the difeafe was in the extremi¬
ties. It not unfrequently, the author thinks, a fleets
the globe of the eye, caufing an enlargement of it,
with the deftruedion of its internal organization. If
the eye is not extirpated, the fclerotis burfis at lad ;
a bloody fanious matter is difeharged, and the patient
links under the complaint.

1 he growth ot fungus which takes place in this
difeafe, cannot always be reprefled by the ftrongeft ef-
charotics. Neither the hydrargyrus nitratus ruber,
the hydrargyrus muriatus, the antimonium muriatum,
nor the undiluted vitriolic acid, have been fufiicient
for this purpofe

(To be continued.)

Art.

( so )

iV ' - ‘ \

Art. XII. Facts decifive in Favour ' of the Cow*
pock : including the Hi/lory of its Rife , Progrefs ,
and Advantages ; and the Evidence given before the
Honourable the Committee of the Houfe of Com¬
mons, with their Report , and Remarks on the fame .
By Robert John Thornton, M.D.,8kc. 8vo.,

318 pages, price 5s. 4th edition. London, 1803.

ON comparing the title page of the prefer! t with
that of the former edition* of this pamphlet, the
reader will perceive that the work has been confider-
ably extended, and its object enlarged. It contains,
indeed, a fufficiently clear and ample account of all the
fubje&s is profeffes to notice, though in the florid and
high-flown ftyle fo peculiar to the author. To thofe
who are yet Grangers to the fubjeft of vaccine inocu¬
lation, it will afford both intereft and inftru&ion.

* See our lafl vol., p. 158a

* \

MISCEL-

( i )

MISCELLANEOUS.

. ' j .. i

§ I. On the Difeafes of Egypt ( From Sir Robert
Wilfon;s Hillory of the Expedition to Egypt.)

* , S » 1 - • 1 :

XHE following extradl, we have no doubt, will prove in-
terefting to fuch of our readers as may not have met with
the original work. Accounts of this fort are not always the
lefs valuable, nor lefs to be depended on, from their being
written by ??ou-profeffional obfervers. One frequent fource of
error is at lead: thus avoided — preconceived hypothecs,—
which not feldom vitiates profeffional hiftories.

“ Difeafes of Egypt.

u In no country are the inhabitants afflicted with more
dreadful diforders, many of which mull be attributed to the
vices of the people ; yet the moll fatal unhappily proceed
from caufes which civilization and art cannot altogether con-
trouL Sonnini , although his opinions are proved to have
been in fome inilances erroneous, has entered into a very in-
terefting detail of them, and his work on every account is
worthy peruial ; nor fhould fome errors of defeription preju¬
dice the general character of the hidory, as the circumftances
under which he wrote, and the great objedt with which he
whhed to inflame the fpirit of his countrymen, mull ever be
kept in view, and excufe a partiality excited by patriotism.

“ The plague, as being the malady which occaflons the
greateh alarm amongft thofe who have never been immedi¬
ately acquainted with its nature, ranks as the moft fatal of
all.diftempers. This fever, now properly called epidemical,
was long fuppofed to have been brought from Turkey in the
fhips charged with old clothes, which conftantly came to
Alexandria for a market ; but thele and fimilar rcafons can¬
not any longer be maintained, fince the plague has generat¬
ed annually in Egypt during the laft four years (although no
vol. x. G fuch

MISCELLANEOUS*

fuch communication has been poflible), and even chiefly
commenced in Upper Egypt. The fource of this diforder
mud, therefore, be fought for in thole phenomena with
which the appearance is connected .

The plague commences in Egypt when the Nile begins
to fall, and ceafes to be fatal (almoft to a day, many pretend
precifely fo) after the 17th of June, which is the period of
the fummer folftice, and when the Nile is fuppofed to receive
the fird increafe.

u As the waters of the Nile retire from the furface of the
country they had inundated, a rich Dime of conliderable den-
fity is left, which forms a foil fo productive, as to render
Egypt the mod fertile land in the known world : hut, unfor¬
tunately, the benefits of Nature are always charged with a
proportion of evil. The flime, Subjected to the univerfai
laws, is no fooner feparated from its principle of action, than
corruption enfues, and continues until all the putrid juices
ate totally absorbed by the beat of the fun, which then leaves
the ground perfectly brittle, with the fiffures previoufly de~
(bribed : the atmolphere at this time ceafing to be tainted,
the plague throughout Egypt difappears.

“ This theory, however natural to Egypt, cannot be im¬
mediately applied to other countries where the plage annu¬
ally rages ; but an examination into their climate, foil, and
the cuitoms of the people, will certainly prove the pofition,
that the plague is local, occafioned by a corrupted date of
atmolphere, and never introduced by contagion.

Since toe french expedition to Egypt, great difcoveries
have been made as to the properties of the plague, by the abi¬
lity and boldnels with which the numerous cafes have been
tieated. sJff'ahni , in his excellent work, amongd many other
remarkable fadts denying the evidence of contagion in the
pi ague, adei ts, that he found by obfervation in the French
enmv, that n a battalion infe&ed left its cantonment for an-
the d idem per not only cealed in that corps, but that
no one having communication was expofed to the fmalled
danger : nor did the phenomena terminate here ; for even if
the battalion which occupied the pod left by the difeafed bat¬
talion

miscellaneous. iii

tall on quitted the place in ten days, the high left fymptom of
the dilorder never appeared amongft them.

As a proof of the plague being confined to atmofphere*
independent of the examples its particular locality in Egypt
offers,, he mentions feveral remarkable cafes, at Jaffa, of men,
who, confined in the hofpital of that town by the plague>
efcaped into the Defert, and endeavoured to reach the army ;
hut, finding the attempt impracticable, returned again in
three days, perfectly recovered. This extraordinary cure in*
duced A (fa (ini to encourage a removal from Jaffa, whenever
the firfl fymptoms were difcernible; and every one on whom
he co id prevail to adopt this advice immediately became
convaiefcent. Unfortunately, fimpie as the remedy is, deatk
was more frequently preferred by the wretched patients^
whom ftupor and lethargy generally feized.

To remove hill more thofe doubts which the prejudice
of 1 ong received opinions will reluCtantly allow to be difpeli-
ed, the fact mull be hated, that the Englifh and Turkifh air*
lilies which marched to Cairo paffed through a country wherd
the plague filled almoh every village ; that they communi¬
cated, without any precautions, in the moh intimate manner
with the natives, and eftablifhed their ovens at Menouf, where
the plague raged violently ; that the Turks even rifled the
difeafed in the peh-houfes of Rhamanieh, and at Cairo dug
up the corpfes recently buried, and yel that no individual in-
hance occurred of the malady in the armies ; whilft the troops
who remained ftationary at Aboukir were feverely affliCted,
and of whom one hundred and feventy-three died : yet nei¬
ther at Rofetta nor Alexandria did the fever (hew itfelf.

“ In Egypt, where the villages approach within a quarter
of a mile of each other, fome were exempt from this malady,
whilft the mofit neighbouring were defolated. So common h
this circumitance, that the inhabitants particularife to Eu¬
ropeans thofe villages in their diftriCfs, wdiich during the fea-
foil the plague has appeared in, yet do not themfelves refufie
to enter into them ; nor, indeed, did the Engiifh hefitate,
although frequently the dying were laid by the gate through
which they were to pafs. When the plague has been molt

G 2 virulent

MISCELLANEOUS,

virulent in Cairo, the inhabitants of the citadel have often
been totally free from any infedlion, although having daily
and promifcuous communication with the inhabitants of the
citv. There will be fome difficulty in accounting on indis¬
putable inferences for this partial infection of atmofphere,
which at prefen t can only be attributed to the different de¬
crees of foetid matter left on the ground, producing the quan-
tity of putrid miafmata. The problem is, however, more
arduous, that if the plague be contagious, and not, like the
fm all-pox, to be had only once in a life, how, in a country
where no care is taken to check the extension, population has
not long ffnce become extinct.

“ In Cairo, hill year, forty thoufand people were fuppofed
to be infected with the plague, and many of the French gar-
rifon died in that city, although the difeafe was treated in.
their hofpitals with the greateft ability. In Upper Egypt,
ffxty thoufand of the inhabitants perifhed during the fame
feafon. There whole villages were fwept away, and remain¬
ed abandoned when the Indian army defeended the Nile;
but, at the fame time, many inftanees occurred, when the
neareft villages had not in them an inftanee of the malady.
Then, if the plague had been pofttively contagious, how
comes it that this prodigious violence of infection did not ex¬
tend the diforder indifcriminately and univerfally amongft all
the people in Egypt, producing, of courfe, effects conffder-

ably mote fatal ? N or can the obfervation attached to the

> .

return of Dr. Young, under whole fuperintendance the Eng-
lifti hofpitals were preferred in the higheft order of excellent
arrangement, the lick treated with the greateft eonfideration,
and whofe philofophical mind fo well capacitated him for the
very important fttuation in which he was placed, controvert
the politico, that the plague is not more contagious than
other fevers. The fervants attached to an hofpital, by con¬
tinuing conftantly in tainted atmofphere, muff certainly be
fubje&to maladies produced by bad air; and thole inftanees
afford rather proof in favour of a doctrine very important to
humanity and the military fgrvice.

“ Egypc

MISCELLANEOUS. V

& f ■ ' t * } . f * 1 J : • „ r;

Egypt, in the pofieffion of a power who felt interefled
in her profperity, might in a courfe of years calculate on
this diforder being altogether annihilated, or the pernicious
influence fo correbted, as no longer to poffefs the fame cala¬
mitous properties. The irifrodubtion of lime, the ufe of coals,
the paving of the ftreets in the cities, the formation of roads,
the whitewafhing of the apartments in every houfe, the drain-
ilia: of all ftaamant waters, and' the ufe of well burnt brick
inftead of mud in building the villages, might in time cor-
rebt the corrupted exhalations of the foil, whilft an attention
to cleanlinefs would promote confiderably the operations of
fcience.

u Until that too remote period arrives, the abilities of me¬
dical men have difcovered medicines which check the fata¬
lity, if they cannot enfure always a certain cure. The em¬
brocation of oil is found to be very beneficial ; and mercury,
if the diforder has not gained already fo much progrefs as to
prevent the patient feeling in time the effebts of that medi¬
cine, will generally produce the mofl favourable e beefs,

“ That daring ipir.it of iiiveftigation into the caufes and
effects of thofe difeafes whofe principles are yet unknown,
and which has fo much diifinguifhed the profeffion, was not
to be intimidated by the menacing confequences vof a bold
examination into the powers and properties of the plague.

<c Dr. White, an Englifli phyfician, determined to dif-
cover if this malady, fo deftrubtive to a large portion of ’the
globe, and 'which filled a with apprehenfion the remainder,
could not be checked, or rendered lels virulent, by the intro¬
duction of inoculation. Refoived to become the patient of
his own fpeculation, during the time the plague raged again
at Rofetta (which it did towards the fall of the year, when
numbers of fepoys died), he inoculated himfelf with matter
taken from the buboes of an infected perfon. The attempt
failed twice; the third proved fatal : in three days after the
fymptoms appeared, he died, falling a much-to-be-lamented
vibtiin to a difmtefefled zeal, benevolently and intrepidly di-
rgbled for the benefit and happinefs of the community.

G 3 (S This

miscellaneous.

« This catafirophe may for fome time operate again# the
profee ution of a very interefting theory ; yet in the detail of
this cafe there are many incidents which will hereafter excite
the attention and enterprize of the enquiring mind, and the
fact may very foon be incon trover tibly eftablifhed, that this
fever is local, excited by the (late of atmofphere, in its pro-
orefs not contagious, which will be very confolatory to hu~
man i tv, and particularly important to be ascertained, at a
moment when the countries moil fubject to this dreadful pef-
tilence are about to be more intimately connedled with the
civilized Hates of the world.

“ Ophthalmia .

“ The period no fooner arrives when Egypt for a feafon is
relieved from the plague, than another malady fuceeeds im¬
mediately, diftinguiihed by the name of ophthalmia. The
effedls of this difeafe are much more terrible than thofe of
its precurfor.

“ The fever called plague is not attended with any corpo¬
real pain : torpor tranquillizes all fenfibihty of mind, and the
hour of di Ablution is expected with apathy. The crifis is
death or complete recovery.

“ Tn the cafe of ophthalmia, the anguifh of the affected
part is acute nearly to delirium, whilft the unhappy patient
retains a confoiouihefs that his agonies probably may termi¬
nate in the lofs of organs precious as ex i lienee. When the
beauties of nature, the wonders of the univerfe, the objects
oi deareft aiiedlions can no longer be gazed on, that darknefs
is hire ly more painful to a foldier than the tranquil gloom of
the grave.

“ 1 he quantity of blind in Egypt is prodigious; nearly
eveiy filth inhabitant has loft one eye, and many both. All

the children have fore eyes ; and Europeans do not better
efcape.

i he French, at hr#, had more than two thirds of their
aruHj aceoiding to their own report, affedted with this mala¬
dy ; and the Enghfh troops, during their fhort ilay, have
{uffei cd conlideiably, one hundred and fixty being totally
iiuiio., and two hundred having loft one eye irrecoverably.

« The

MISCELLANEOUS.

Vli

“ The diforder is believed to originate in the nitrous parti¬
cles emitted from the ground by the force of the fun, which
are of a quality fo pungent and penetrating as to injure the
fine veffels at the corner of the eye. The acrid and burn¬
ing drift flying continually in the atm ofp here, irritates flill
more the already affected part ; whilft the reflexion of the
foil, the heat of the air, and vivid light of the Iky, tend to
weaken the fight, at laft occafioning that exceflive inflamma¬
tion denominated ophthalmia. When the adlual ophthalmia
has taken place, the patient buffers the 1110ft excruciating
pains, which are defcribed as if the balls of the eye were on
fire, and the points of needles perpetually pierced into them.
The abfcefs formed under the eyelids difeharges a confide r~
able quantity of moifture, which frequently vitiates into mat¬
ter : every membrane fwells, and the whole eye becomes
frightfully diftojted.

The children in Egypt, from the barbarous inattention
of their parents, have from eariieft infancy at the corner of
their eyes a great quantity of little infects continually fettled,
which keep the veffels in a conflant irritation, and finally
burrow themfelves into the interior coating of the eyelids.
Scarcely will this afferfion be believed ; neverthelefs, the fadf
is pofitive, that in Egypt all the mothers are guilty of this
inhumanity, negligence, and uncleanlinefs.

“ The affeciion of the malady is fometimes extremely hid¬
den, which induces the fuppofition that checked perfpiration
frequently and feverely contributes to produce the difeafe.
In a few hours, often, the inflammation has attained an
alarming ftrength, to which no precife crifis can be antici¬
pated. With fome, the diforder lafts only nine or ten days;
in others, the patients have buffered for months : and, unfor¬
tunately, there is no fecurity, even after perfect, recovery,
againft an immediate new attack.

“ Ophthalmia is endemical to Egypt; its extirpation can
fcarcely be expected ; but an acquaintance with all the dif¬
ferent cates has enabled the European phyficians to difcover
remedies which have rendered this difeafe in fome degree
lefs fatal.

G 4

Dyfen-

\ ill

MISCELLANEOUS.

“ Dyfentery.

« Ophthalmia and dyfentery are twin eyils, generating
and expiring together.

’ “ This complaint, fo deftraefive in Europe to armies, can-
not be deemed, however, more pernicious, or even equally
fo, in Egypt. The returns of fick by cafes of dyfentery in a
campaign where the climate is moi ft, and the ground fre¬
quently damp, would be found to exceed confiderably the
number of thofe a til idled with the fame malady in this dry
foil, where the damp of rain feldom penetrates'. There is,
indeed, in Egypt, particularly on the ifthmus of Aboukir,
every morning an exhalation in the bottoms, where the date
tree grows, of an extraordinary condenfity, and which mull
be extremely noxious : but troops feldom would be expoied
in fuch fituations.

Ci Some have attributed to the Nile water the caufe of this
diforder, which is erroneously imputed, unlefs exceffive quan¬
tities are drunk, when all water would be equally unwhole-
feme. That water certainly, at the feafon ot the year when
the dyfentery appears, becomes extremely thick, and even
foetid : a tumbler full, allowed to fettle five minutes, would
yield at leafi one third of ilimy mud. The operation of this
iediment is, however, to be deemed rather falutary than
otherwife, and a little vinegar or fpifits infufed would always
correct- any bad effects. With more jufiice do others affirm,
that the diet is a principal caufe of dyfentery; for in Egypt
every thing’ which is eaten tends to promote acrimonious hu¬
mours. The poultry of the country, from being unnaturally
forced in ovens, feem to have the fourees of health and
growth dried up, never exceeding the fize of a pigeon ; their
bodies yield only fkin and bone, between which are lumps of
rank fat, extremely naufeous and imwholefome : the earss
are very heavy, arid often occaiion ficknefs.

Lufialo meat is mdigefiibie, and the mutton not very
good. The oily food of the common inhabitants It i 1 1 more
weakens the iiitefiines, and produces a difpofition to bile ;
p!!*, the principal caufe of dyfentery is checked perfpiration.

MISCELLANEOUS.

<e The foldiers crowded into the Nile when their bodies
were pouring out ftreams of moifture, indifferent to the con¬
sequences of which they were fo frequently warned. At
night, a damp aiv chilled thofe who did not fecure themfelves
by covering; and, during the march to Cairo, frequently
fifty men per day, feized with the malady, were obliged to
leave the army. The impreffion of heat fee nis alfo to have
had a conftderable influence, fince thofe fesit to Rofetta, or
who pafled on board of fliip, very foon recovered. The fea
air braced again immediately the fyftem, which had been too
much relaxed.

“ An attention to drefs in this complaint is extremely ne-
ceffary, both as a preventive and cure. Flannel fhirts, and
pantaloons made of cloth, fhould be worn : the gaiter and
breeches are the worft poffible appointment for a foldier
m a warm country. At night, the damp penetrates through
the button holes, even with the moil prudent: but who does
not know that a foldier wearied with marching, which occa-

O 7

fions a fvvelling of his limbs, increased by the tightnefs of his
drefs, aim oft always, for the fake of eafe and reft, removes
every confinement, and expofes entirely to the air his legs
and knees during the night ? . •

“ Objervatwns .

“ A cutaneous diforder, extremely difagreeable, fcarcely
ever fatal, during the riling of the Nile, is alfo very general
in Egypt. The itching is fcarcely fufferable ; notwithstand¬
ing, as the appearance of this heat is confide red as an indi¬
cation of health, and cooling phytic foon removes it altoge¬
ther, the complaint may be confidered as an inconvenience
not amounting to a malady. An officer imprudently bathing
three times in one day, when the ralh was ftrongly out,
threw into the fyftem what nature wifhed to rejedl, and he
died in twelve hours, Such inftances, however, occur in
fimilar harmlefs complaints in Europe, affording melancholy
evidences of indifcretion giving: to diforders an unnatural in-

o o

vetera cy.

“ A vaft variety of more fevere difeafes are common, and
feem to have a peculiar character in that country ; ftill, as

not

MISCELLANEOUS.

very frequent.

not immediately affecting the Englifh army, they fhall only
he clafied under their different heads ; and then will follow
a catalogue of what may be juftly denominated the minor
plagues of Egypt.

“ Difeafes.

“ Leprofy — of the worft fpeeies.

« Elephant iafis — very common, and of the worft fort,
fuelling the legs larger than a common bed bolfter.

(( Hernia— extremely frequent.

Syphilis — of the in oft malignant kind.

Dropfy
“ Sore Heads
Worms

Liver Complaints

“ Minor Plagues of Egypt.

Mats— -in extraordinary abundance, which the inhabit”
ants of fome villages near Kofetla eat.

Flies and other Infects — numerous beyond credibility.
Fleas— in fuch quantities, that in twelve hours clean li¬
nen was covered with thoufands of fpots of blood.

“ Lice— of every fpeeies. The Mameluke Beys even
would think it no difgrace to employ themfelves publicly in
picking them off their perfons,

“ Mufquitos and Gnats— their bite was peculiarly vene-
mous, efpecially near Rofetta.

st Scorpions and Centipedes — the fting painful, and produc¬
ing tumour, but not dangerous.

Locufts—'Ve ry deftrudtive.

Many of thefe difagreeable animals, the Egyptians may
fay, are alfo inmates of Europe ; but in no other country are
they fo numerous or fo voracious as in Egypt.”

t£

The cafe of the Blue Boy , as it is termed, is fo remarkable
as to have made a great impreflion at the time of its publica¬
tion, and is frequently quoted by medical writers : — it is in
Sandifort’s Collection. On diffeCtion, it will be recollected,
a dire6t communication, by an aperture, was found between ,

the

MISCELLANEOUS.

the right and left ventricles of the heart, fo that the blood
palled in but a very fmall proportion through the lungs after
birth.

Cafes of this kind are, at prefent, more interefting than at
any former period, becaufe the fundhon of the lungs is now
fo much better nnderftood; and a thoufand queftions occur
to a well-informed and inquifitive mind, when any inftance of
the fort falls under obfervation. Befides S an di fort’s cafe,
there are others of a fimilar kind in the writings of phyfic:
in all, perhaps, a dozen may be found. There is one by- Dr.
Pulteney, in the Philofophical Tran factions. Curiofity has,
however, hitherto been rather excited than gratified on the
fubjedt, as in none of the inftances related have obfervations
been made to any extent, and fueh as might have been ex¬
pected, from the prefent knowledge of the adtion of air (oxy¬
gen) in the lungs.

Thefe defects, it may be hoped, will be greatly fupplied

a cafe which has lately occurred in the hands of Mr.
Heavihde, of which we have obtained certain information,
and alfo of the morbid heart being in the poffefhon of this
gentleman. It would be unfair to anticipate the account,
were we even informed of the particulars; but we hope to be
rather commended than blamed for railing the expectation of
the public to receive the hi Itory of the cafe from the able
practitioner, who alone can give it accurately.

§ 3. On the Rank which Man holds in the Clajfiji ~

cation of Animals.

M. Delamcthcrie, in a work of his lately publifhed, entitled,
“ Man confidered in a moral Point of View, his Manners,
and thole of Animals,” endeavours to fhew, that man ought
to be placed in the fir ft rank of animals, at the head of the
monkey tribe. The difference, he obferves, between man
and the oarang-outang is lefs than tlr«t which exifts between
the latter and the baboon, and other fpecies of monkeys!
We know that differences as great fubfift, even, between the
differen t races of mankind. M an, as taken from the Apollo

Belvidere ,

xJi miscellaneous.

— '

Belvidere , has fiercely any refemblance to the negro of Gui-
liea> It would be wrong, therefore, M .Delametherie thinks,
to adduce the flight differences which take place between the
lie cto and the ourang-outang, as proving that they are of dif¬
ferent fpecies, whilft they poffefs fo many characters in com¬
mon. Befides, it is known that the ourang-outang carries
off occafionally the female negroes.

< 1 have pointed out/ M. Delametherie obferves, f the
manners of man, and have compared them with thofe of

other animals. X have proved that his habits, in a Hate of

*■

nature, do not differ at ail from thofe of monkeys; but in fo-
dal man, the contadl of fociety generates new habits, which
occafion the wideft differences among different nations,’

§ ,4. Curious lu (its Nature c.

There exift at prefent, in Paris, two brothers of the family
of Lambert , the males of which only, for ’five generations,
have bad their bodies covered by a fort of protuberance^,
about the fixth of an inch in length, and rounded at the ex¬
tremity : they are fo me what flattened, efpecially thofe which
are fituated about the breafis : they are vertical, and placed
like the pile of velvet. Thefe excrefcences are of a horny
confluence, fomewhat like the nails: they fall off from time
to time in final! feales, but immediately (hoot out’ again ; and
at fueli times are of a black colour : hut, when they have at¬
tained their full growth, they referable the nails in colour.
The face, the palms of the hands, and the foies of the feet,
are the only parts which are exempt from thofe excrefcences.
The hairs grow through them ; which feems to fliew that
they are merely an excrefcenee of the cuticle.

^ 5.

On the Cranio- gnomic Syjiem of Dr. Gall , of

Vienna.

tins lingular fyffern as founded on the following obferva-
t.eub. We notice it thus briefly, becaufe, though it feems
to have excited much intereff on the Continent, it probably

MISCELLANEOUS.

XUl

is in a great meafure, if not altogether, fanciful and imagi¬
nary. ,

Dr. Gall fuppofes, that the various faculties and paffions of
man, and alfo of other animals, are cognizable by certain
external characters or ligns. Different eminences, obferv-
able on the exterior part of the cranium, at the frontal, pa¬
rietal, and occipital parts, appear to him pretty certainly to
indicate fuch and fuch paffions. The brain, lays he, is

certainly the material organ of the internal faculties of the

*/ ^

animal. A certain protuberance of the brain correfponds
with a limilar one on the external furface of the cranium ;
and obfervation (hews, that fuch exterior eminence is con-
itantly found in men who are lubjebt particularly to fuch and
fuch paffions. And we may conclude, he thinks, that the
caufe refides in the correfpondent internal protuberances of
the brain, which he therefore accordingly designates as the
feat of them.

§ 6 . On the fuppofcd poifonous Properties of cer¬

tain Species of Mujhroom .

M. Collet-May gret has in veil i gated the effects produced
by different fungi on animals. When thefe are made to
fwallow a tindfu re of certain mulhrooms in alkohol/ they pe-
rilh. But, before any certain conchffion can be drawn
from hence, it is neceffary to know the effects which alkohol
alone would produce. M. C. gave alkohol, in different doles,
to dogs; and they were all more or lefs incommoded by it,
and feveral of them died. Other dogs were forced to {wal¬
low the mulhrooms alone; hut without being at all dif-
ordered thereby. It may be concluded, therefore, that in,
at leaft, feme of the experiments related by writers, the al¬
kohol, and not the mulhrooms, deffroyed the animals.

§ 7. Effects of great Condenfation of Air on the

Surface of the Body.

The effects of a more or lefs rarified /fate of the air on the
body at’e probably but little underftopd ; hence very vague

and

3S1V

u ISCELtANEODSfv

and unfounded affertions have been made on the FubjedL
Thus it has been faid, that great difficulty of refpiration is
experienced on reaching the fummit of very elevated moun¬
tains; and an equal degree of impediment, though of a dif¬
ferent kind, might be inferred to take place from breathing a
very condensed atmofphere. Neither of thefe, however, ap¬
pears to take place in reality; for travellers moll worthy of
note deny the former; and aeronauts, in their highefi flights,
have made no complaint of refpiring with difficulty in fuch
elevated regions. That the latter fuppofition is equally un¬
founded, we know from the teltimony of a philofophical gen¬
tleman, who lately made the experiment.

In order to fupply the furnaces of the Devon and other
iron works in Scotland, air vaults have been conitrucled of
conliderable dimeniions, the air in which is very powerfully
compreffed and condenfed by the force of a fleam engine.
The fize of the air vault in queftion was feventy-two feet
Jong, fourteen feet wide, and thirteen feet high. The de¬
gree of condenfation was afcertained by a' proper wind-gauge
contrived for the purpofe, and was found to be fo confider-
able as to raife a column of mercury five, and fometimes fix,
inches. The effedls felt on breathing air thus forcibly corn-
preffed are thus described by Mr. -Roebuck.

‘ As the plan of the blowing apparatus had been adopted
at my recommendation, and was now fo loudly condemned
on account of the water*, I had other motives than mere
interefl for trying to become better acquainted with the
phenomena attending it. I accordingly determined to s;o in¬
to the air vault, and to remain enclofed in the condenfed air
while the engine was blowing the furnace. It is ail experi¬
ment that, perhaps, never was made before, as there never
exifted fuch an opportunity. I could not perfus'd e the en¬
gineer, or any of the operative people about the work, to be
my companions, as they imagined that there was much dan¬
ger in the experiment. Mr, 'Neil liyrie , however, one of

Allufion is here made to circumftanCes of an ceconomical nature merely,

the

MISCELLANEOUS.

the clerks of the Devon Company, had fufficient confidence
in mv representations *0 venture himfelf along with me.

f The machine had been hopped about two hours previous
to our entering the vault, and we found a dampnefs and mihi-
nefs in it, which difappeared loon after the door was fhut
fait upon us, and the engine began to work in the ufual man¬
ner. After four or five hrokes of the engine, we both expe¬
rienced a fingular fenfation in our ears, as if they were hop¬
ped by the fingers, which continued as long as we remained
in the condenfed air. Our breathing was not in the leah af¬
fected. I had no thermometer with me, but the temperature
of the air felt to us the fame as that without the vault,
Sound was much magnified, as we perceived when we talked
to each other, or hruck any thing; particularly, the nolle of
the air efcaping at the blow-pipe, or wafte- valve, was very
loud, and feemed to return to us. There was no appearance
of wind to dihurb the flame of our candles ; on the contrary,
1 was furprifed to find, that, when. we put one of them into
the edudtion pipe, which conveys the wind from the vault to
the furnace, it was not blown out. In fhorfc, every thing ap¬
peared, in other refpeets, the fame as when we were in the
common atmofphere. Having remained about an hour in
the condenfed air, we gave the fignal to hop the engine.
As foon as it ceafed to work, and the eondenfation abated,
and before the door of the vault was unfcrewed, the whole
vault, in a few feconds, became filled with a thick vapour,
or mift, fo that we could hardly fee the candies at four or

five yards di fiance/

•/

^ 8. On Cutaneous Aeriform Tranfpiration,

M. Trouffet.

(Ann. de Chym., 133.)

Phyficians have at all times endeavoured to iqveftigate the
influence of the air on the human body. As, however, the
antients were ignorant that the atmofphere poflefled weight,
their ideas on the fubjed were. neceffarily vague and erro¬
neous, fince they had no experiments on which tq found

their

XVI

MISCELLANEOUS,

: v . > ’S. •:

their opinions. Hippocrates, indeed, fays exprefsly, that the
air is digefted in the lungs, like the aliment in the flomach ;
but this can be confidered only as a loofe conjecture, not
founded on any certain or definite experiments.

The functions of the lungs have been more fuccefsfully in-
veftieated than thofe of the fkin. In the prefent Memoir, M.
Trouffd propofes to examine, tft. Whether, befides the cu¬
taneous perfpiration obferved by Sanciorius and his followers,
any gafiform fluids are exhaled from the furface of the body?
and, 2diy, If there are, what, and of what nature ?

The antients had no notion of the exiftenee of fuch an
aeriform tranlpiration. M. le Comte de Milly firfi; announc¬
ed, in 1777 the difcovery of an elaftic fluid thrown off by
the {kin : he there afferts, that the bulk of half a pint may
be collected in the warm bath, in the {pace of three hours;
and from bis analyfis, which, however, is far from exact or
complete, it appears, that the gas thus given off is fixed air
(carbonic acid).

Some time after, M. Ingenhouz obferved, that an aeriform
fluid was exhaled from the furface of the body ; but he fup-
pofed it to be phlogifticated air (azotic gas). Dr. FmejUey
and the Abbe Fontana repeated the experiments of the two
preceding philofophers ; but could difcover no gafeous ema¬
nation from the fkin. M. J urine, a furgeon of Geneva, re¬
peated the experiments of Milly and Ingenhouz , both on
himfelf, and on other perfons of various ages, employing
different kinds of water, and at different temperatures; and
he afferts, that he never could perceive any aeriform fluid to
be* generated. Prefuming that the water, by its preffure,
might reftrain the ifllie of the air, or might corrugate the
exhaling aerial rebels, of the flan, he continued his researches,
varying the proceffes before employed by Priejlley and Fon¬
tana ; and be thought he had proved by experiments, which,
however, might eafily he (hewn to he in ex apt, that there is
a conilant exhalation going on from the fkin of a final! quan¬
tity ot caibonic acid. On this {abject M. Fourcroy thus ex-

* Mem, de 1’Acad. Roy, des Sciences de Berlin.

p relies

MrsCElXANEOtjS, xvii

prefies himfelf : — “ It is not true that eladic fluids efcape
from the Ikin, as ferae modern writers have fuppofed*."

Such, till very lately, was the ftate of the quedion before
tis. Inaccurate experiments, the reiults of which were con-
teded, left the fubjedl in uncertainty, and (hewed the necef-
fi tv of farther invedigation. M. Trouffet , being one day near
one of his patients in the bath, obferved that his body was
entirely covered by fmall air-buhbles of a pyramidal form.
He collected a quantity of thefe, and found, on repeated
trials, that they confided of pure azotic gas.

M. Tr outfit afterwards endeavoured to determine if this
Were an ordinary occurrence, and if it depended On the date
of health of the individual ; but experiments made on him-
felf, and on feveral other perfons, fhewed nothing fimilar.
M. Trouffet , neverthelefs, condders the phenomenon as a
general one, and adduces the opinions of the Count de Milty
and M. Ingenhouz in fupport of his idea. He obferved, like-
wife, another perfon who tranfpired air-bubbles copioudy
when in the bath, but which, from their not diffolving in the
water, were probably not carbonic acid. The reafon why
this cireunidance is not always obferv able, is, he thinks, that
the water, adding by its weight on the exhalent aerial veifels
of the fkin, and thefe being endowed with different degrees of
energy in different individuals, the efcape of any gafeous fub-
dance is prevented in the greater number of perfons.

§ 9* On the Eff efts of Galvanifm on fome of ike

Animal Fluids .

M. M. Larcher Daubancourt and Zanetti ten. have lately
!>refented to the French National Injiitute a Memoir con-
taming the relation of fome experiments made by them, to
■determine the effetds of the galvanic fluid on the urine and
File : they are preliminary to a more ex tend ve examination
of the fluids in general, by means of the fame agent. The
refult of the experiments hitherto made is as follows.

* S/fteme des Con, Chym., tom. 9, p. 203.

VOL. K*

l. The

MISCELLANEOUS*

I cJ;he urine, when fubmitted to the galvanic action, gave
a precipitation, without the appearance of any farther de-
compofition taking place in this fluid. This precipitation was
compofed of a part of the faline matters contained in the
urine; and it probably varies according to, the falls which
previoufly exift in it. Allowing the galvanic current to occa¬
sion a partial feparatioiT of the falts of the urine, without
other alteration, there may be reafon to apprehend fome
danger from the application of galvanifm to the bladder,
without previoufly evacuating the urine ,• as, by occafioning
the depoiition of certain falts, it may V&y the foundation for
the formation of urinary calculi afterwards.

2. A precipitation alfo takes place in the bile front the
galvanic current, and appears to be owing to a partial de com¬
petition of this fluid; as, minute portions of its refinous and
alkaline parts were obferved to be difeugaged. Thefe werg
accompanied with a portion of albumine, to the precipita¬
tion of which may be attributed the diminifhed putrefcency
which the fluid feemed to. have acquired from the operation.

§ 10. , _ Hv : ei

Directions for the vaccine inoculation have been lately cir¬
culated by the Vaccine Inftitution, containing fome obferva-
tions additional to thofe before publifhed*, and which appear
to merit notice.

The matter is found to be moll efficacious in producing the
vaccina if taken before the eleventh or twelfth day, and is
moil abundant about the ninth : but it may be uled even as
early as the fifth day, if it can be colledled. Matter from a
pock later than the eleventh or twelfth days is not more lia¬
ble to produce inflamed arms than that from younger, pocks;
and, it the cow-pock be excited at all, it is as diftinct as from
any earlier matter. No differences in the effects of the vac¬
cine matter inoculated appear to depend on the prefence, ex¬
tent, or abfence, of tj;e red areola.

See p3ge 393 of our laft vol.

MISCELLANEOUS. xix

If the eruption, or pimple, excited by inoculation has not
the characters, and does not pafs through the ordinary ftages,
this cow-pock may render the confutation unfufceptihle of
the fmall-pox ; yet it cannot be depended on. In fuch cafes,
the vaccina fliould be re-inftituted ; for, if the vaccina can¬
not be again excited, the unlufceptibility defired will have
been produced.

Though there be no .febrile affection, provided the pock
exhibit the diftindtive characters of the cow-pock, even with¬
out areola , with the ufual courfe of its ftages, the fufeeptibi-
lity of the fmall-pox will be as effectually destroyed as if there
had been coniiderable febrile affection, and extenfive areola.

The fmall-pox may break out at any period within twelve
days of vaccine inoculation. If they appear earlier than the
iixth or feventh, the vaccina is cut off’ in its progrefs ; if they
appear later, it goes forwards in its ufual courfe.

Meades, chicken-pox, hooping cough, and other difor-
orders, may intervene during the vaccina, without, in gene¬
ral, varying its progrefs.—

The importance of the above cireumffances is evident ; and,
being the refult of extenfive and varied experience, we
have no doubt of their being well founded, though they go to
controvert opinions that have been elfewhere inculcated.

§11. Plan of Lectures on the Vaccine-pock Inocu¬
lation, at the Institution (founded Dec. 1799, late
No. 5, Golden Square), No. 44, Broad Street,
Golden Square. By G. Pearfon, M. D., F. R.S.,
Phyfician to the Cow -pock Injtitution, 8pc. Spc.

A Lecture to be given at the Inffitution once or twice a
week, according to the fubject of it, for about twelve weeks.

Hit principal objects will be , 1. The hiftory of what is
known of the vaccina in cows. — L2. The hiltory or the difeo-
very, introduction, and propagation, of vaccine inoculation.
—3. To fhew, in patients at the Inffitution, the progrefs of
the inoculated cow-pock, through its ftages of growing into
a veficle, conffitutional diforder, fcabbing procefs, decidu-

ary

Miscellaneous.

tta

ary carbuncle-like fcab, with a view efpecially to make kitowii
the diftinguifhing characters of the vaccina; — 4. To explain
the unufual or accidental fymptoms and effedls of the vac¬
cina; viz. eruptions* phlegmonous inflammation, erythema,,
axillary fallings, eifera vaccina^ puftule* ulcerations of ino¬
culated parts* &c. — 5. To explain the anomalous eruption of
inoculated parts.— -6. Tq explain the anomalous courfe of the
inoculated vaccina. — 7. Intervening diforders, efpecially the
fmall-pox* mealies,, chicken-pox* contagious angina, hoop-^
ing cough, tooth rafh, red gum, &c.— 8. Jnftanees* by ino¬
culation, of the fmall-pox and cow-pock at the fame time in
the fame perfon. — 9* The various modes of preferring vac-^
cine matter.— ,10. The effedfs of various modes of inocula¬
tion. — 1 1. The effects of matter at different ages of the vac¬
cine-pock.- 12. The effedfs of inoculation of perfon s who
have undergone the fmall-pox or cow-pock.— 13. The effects
of inoculation when it fails to deftroy the fufceptibility of the
fmall-pox. — 14. The medical treatment and regimen during
the cow-pock. — 15. The effedfs on health fubfequently to
inoculation.- — 16. The vaccine inoculation inftead of the
fmall-pox, as vicarious of a difeafe in iheep.

Proposals: 1. Subfcribers for life* viz. of ten guineas, to
the Vaccine Inftitution to be admitted gratuitoufty ; as well
as, 2. Perpetual pupils to Dr. Pearfon’s ledtures in general
and his 3. Other pupils on becoming perpetual, in addition
to their prelect ledfures, to be admitted on the fame terms.
—4. Thofe who are neither fubfcribers to the Inftitution, nor
die pupils, as juft mentioned, are to pay three guineas for it
(ingle courfe, or fix guineas as perpetual.

GbV No^ncEs of Lectures in the different Branches
or Medicine, intended to be delivered the enfuing winter in
tne metropolis, or elfewhere, are requefted to be transmitted'

^ Pablifher by the third week in Auguft, for infertion in

me following Number.

MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL

3&ebteto*

SEPTEMBER, 1803,

Continuation (Art. I.) of Dr. Black V Elements of
Chemifiry , $ x., from page 19.

• '• . r‘. . f; ’’ f'

AVING furnifhed our readers with the outline
of the life and character of this diftinguithed
chemift, we proceed now to notice lbme of the edi¬
tor’s obfervations, as illuftrative of the text of the
author.

Note 5 gives an illuftration of Dr. Black’s theory of
latent heat, in oppofition to the doftrine of altered
capacity , as laid down by Dr. Irvine , Dr. Cranford
and others. Thefe gentlemen fuppofed, that when
heat fuddenly difappeared in chemical precedes, as
in the converfion of a folid into a fluid, and of a fluid
into the ftate of vapour, the heat was merely received
into the body of the water, and lodged there, with¬
out affecting the thermometer, merely becaufe the
body, by its change of form, had more room for it.—
But Dr, Black conftdered this notion as altogether un¬
fa t is factory : he looked on heat as the active caufe
both of fluidity and vapour, producing thofe new
modes of aggregation by a true chemical combination
with the particles of the body. To the reafons fur-
nilhed by Dr. Black for this opinion, the editor ad¬
duces others which he thinks incompatible with the
notion of mere capacity, , . ,

voL. x. I ‘ When

102 * Blacks Elements of Chemijlry.

c When a piece of dry fponge lies in the exhaufted
receiver of an air-pump, and we admit the air into the
receiver, it foon fills all the pores of the fponge. This
has capacity for its reception, in the purefl meaning
of the term. The fponge exhibits no appearance of
change upon this reception of air into its pores. But
let us pour water into the receiver, the fponge has
the fame capacity or room for the water. But how
different the appearance ! The fponge fwells to twice
its former bulk. And although we underhand very
little of the corpufcular actions of bodies, we compre¬
hend a good deal of this procefs. We know that the
fponge does not merely admit the water into its pores ;
it attracts it, and will even raife the water to a con-
fiderable height, if one end only of the fponge be dip-
ped into the water. We even comprehend a little
of the manner in which this attra&ion produces the ex-
panfion of the fponge. There is a force, which is
mutual between the fponge and the water, afting at
the mouth of the pore, urging the water into it,
prefling it on the water already in, in the fame man¬
ner as if a little piflon were pre fling the water into
the mouth of the pore, and therefore difiending the
pore. We can even calculate the limit to the effedf
of this force, and what rigidity of the pore wall put a
hop to the accumulation. We know that this attrac¬
tion will keep the bodies united. And we fay, with
the utmoft propriety, that they are united— combined
• — and we call this particular mode of union adhejion*
And, laftly, we fay that the water is the caufe of this
diftenfion of the fponge. It would be very awkwTard to
fay that the capacity of the fponge is the caufe of this
diftenfion. It is very true that the caufe of it is not the
water, but the force which unites the water and the
fponge. But the water is the occafion or caufe, in
the lame manner that fixed alkali is the caufe why
lime is feparated from its folution in an acid. If the
experiment had been made with a piece of dry wood
in the place of iponge, we know that it would have
fwelled with a force lufficient for fplitting the firmed:

rocks*

Blacks Elements of Chemifry. 103

Socks. ft Would furely be ridiculous to afcribe this
to the capacity of the wood. . If any perfon, unaccus¬
tomed to difcuffions of this fort, finds a difficulty in
conceiving how attra£lion, which rather feems fitted
for contracting the Sponge, produces its expanfion, he
may See this e-fiefit of undoubted attraction exerted
between the particles of mercury. Lay two or three
Small globules of mercury on a Smooth plate of glafs :
There can be no doubt of the mutual attraction of
the atoms being the caufe of the round form of the
drops. Lay another light plate of glafs on thefe drops
of mercury: Its weight will flatten them a little. Lay
on Some Small weights : This will flatten them (till more.
The addition of more weight will increafe this effect.
Now lift off the weights one after another. The drops
will gradually contract their breadth again, by raifing
ike upper plate farther from the under one , Here it
is plain that the mutual attraction of the particles forces
the plates aSunder,

* This reaSoning is applicable, in the ffiriCtefi manner*
to the phenomena now under consideration; and it is
even more forcible in the cafe of Some of them, — in
vaporization, for example. Here we know that a
due Supply of heat will caufe an ounce of water to
bur ft a bomb-fhell. Can any perfon afcribe this to the
capacity of the fleam ? This capacity is not yet ac¬
quired, ner w/// it be again acquired, unlefs the due
Supply of heat be at hand. The particles of water
acquire the vaporous arrangement which renders them
So capacious, only inconfequenceof the mutual action
between them and the matter of heat. In fhort, it is
plain that the abforption of heat is not the confequence,
but the caufe of the enlarged capacity. Striclly Speak¬
ing, they are concomitant events, and it is the combining
force that Is the immediate and operative caufe of both.

Thofe who affign the enlargement of capacity as the-
caufe of the abforption of heat, in a ftate which does
not affe-ft the thermometer, are by no means precife
and uniform in the meaning which they affix to the

I 2 term.

104

Black V Elements of Ch'emijlry*

term* They mull be fenfible that mere capacionfnefs3
or room , will not apply to the phenomenon of melting
ice, in which the room is undoubtedly diminifhed in
the liquefaction, and even for fome time after. For*
•while the water, juft formed, continues to accumulate
heat around its particles, the bulk does not increafe ;
on the contrary, it diminifhes. In their conception of
capacity is included the notion of a difpofition to abforb
heat 5 that is, of an attraction for heat ; or, to exp refs
it more philofophically, the notion of the exiftence of
a force* which unites the matter of heat with that of
the ice. What is this but the union or combination
which Dr. Black at laft contended for? Chemiftry pre¬
fen ts a conftderable variety of fuch combinations, and
there are many, efpecially of the gafes, which are as
little permanent, and yield as readily to a difference in
the proportion of the ingredients, as thofe combinations
of bodies with heat. Nay, we fhall find ftill another
combination of heat with other matter, which has all
the permanency that can be defired, and which the
,mo ft pertinacious partifan of capacity muft admit as a
true chemical union: I mean the gafeous form..
Oxygen gas is fuppofed to confift of the bafis of vital
air, united with the fubftances of heat and of light. It
requires a certain temperature, and the pre fence of a,
proper third body, to produce a decompofition ; and!
here we find a prodigious quantity of heat acccumulat-
ed. Capacity will explain this accumulation, in the-
very fame manner that it explains all the others.

€ I am difpofed to think that there is a gradation
of union between the * particles of matter and
heat which very much refembles the gradation
which late obfervations have difcovered in the combi¬
nations of oxygen. I he degrees of oxydation, as it
Is called, are. asjprogreftive, and as diftinCt, as thofe ex¬
hibited in tne efteCts of heat ; and they are all produced
by the gradual introduction or abftraCtion of oxygen,
’l-here feems to be, firft of all, a union fimilar to that
of mere adhefioji. I he heat thus united has been call¬
ed free, moveable heat. Perhaps the union accom¬
panied

BlackV Elements of Chemijlry* 105

panied by expanfion, or which produces expanfion,
is fomething more dole, and it may be that only the
fuperfluity is free and moveable. This mode of union
is evidently independent of the others, and may be fix-
peradded to them all. Then comes the union which
is charaderifed by fluidity. This is followed by the
union of vaporization, and this by the union which
forms a gas. Perhaps a juft conception of thefe changes
would be more ealily fuggefted, were we always to em«*
ploy the word temperature for the degree of the fcale*
and heat for the matter combined; and to calltheheat
concealed or latent, in a liquid and in vapour, the
melting heat and the boiling heat ; thus diftinguifbing
them from the melting temperature and boiling tem¬
perature .

6 In fhort, this difpute feems merely occupied about
the- propriety of a term: and even in mis humble
fenfe. Dr. Black's employment of the term combina¬
tion is more proper than the employment adually made
of the term capacity. About the propriety of the
term latent heat , as the expreffion of a mere fad, there
can be no difpute/

In Note 8 profefibr Robifon mentions fome fads and
circumftances which a fifed' Dr. Black's claim to the be¬
ing confidered as the difcoverer of the peculiar combi¬
nation of heat, or the caufe of heat, with different
fubftances, by which they are made to exift in the
form of a liquid, or of an expanftve vapour. His title
to this difcovery, and to the theoretical dodrine found¬
ed on it, has been called in queftion, but is here very
ably and amply vindicated. Our limits, however*
prevent our enlarging on this point. The following
remarks of the influence of light, both in vegetation
and in chemical changes, are interefting, and fuggeft
matter for future reflection and experiment.

c Having occafion/ profeffor Robifon obferves, c in
autumn 1774, to go down and infped a drain in a
coalwork, where an embankment had been made to
keep off a lateral run of water, and, crawling along, I

I 3 laid

j 06 Blacks Elements of C hem? fry.

laid my hand on a very luxuriant plants having a co¬
pious, deep-indented, white foliage, quite unknown tq
me. I inquired of the colliers what it was ? None of
them could tell me. It being curious;, I made a fod
be carried up to the day-light,' to learn from the work¬
men what fort of a plant it was. But nobody had ever
feen any like it. A few days after, looking at the fod
as it lay at the mouth of the pit, I obferved that the
plant had languifhed and died, for want of water,
as I imagined. But, looking at it more attentively,
I obferved that a new vegetation was beginning, with
little fproutings from the fame Item, and that this new
growth was of a green colour. This inflantly brought
to my recolledtion the curious obfervations of Mr.
Dufay; and I caufed the fod to be fet in the ground,
and carefully watered. I was the more incited to
this, becaufe I thought that my fingers had contracted
a fenfible aromatic fmell by handling the plant at this
time. After about a week, this root fet out feveral
items and leaves of common tanfy. The workmen now
recollected that the fods had been taken from an old
cottage garden hard by, where a great deal of tanfy was
ftill growing among the grafs. I now fent down for more
of the fame (tuff, and feveral fods were brought up,
having the fame luxuriant white foliage. This, when
bruifed between the fingers, gave no aromatic fmell
■whatever. All thefe plants withered and died down,
though carefully watered ; and, in each, there fprout-
ed from the fame flocks frefh Hems, and a copious foli¬
age, and produced, among others, common tanfy, fully
impregnated with the ordinary juices ofthat plant, and
of a full green colour. 1 have repeated the fame ex¬
periment with great care on lovage/ levijlicum vul gar e )9
mint, and caraways. As thefe plants throve very well
below, in the dark, but with a blanched foliage, which
did not fpread upwards, but lay flat on the ground,
in all of them there was no refemblance of fhape to
the ordinary foliage of the plant. All of them died
down when brought into day-light; and the flocks

then

107

Blacks Elements of Chemifry .

then produced the proper plants in their ufual drefs,
and having all their diftinguifhing fmells.

‘ From fuch experiments, 1 thought myfelf entitled to
fay that the fun’s rays not only produced the green fisecii-
la of plants, but alfo the diftinguifliing juices, and parti¬
cularly the effential oils. The improvements which
have been made in chemical fcience fmee that time,
have, I think, fully confirmed my conjecture. The
feparability of light and heat, firft noticed by Dr. Hooke,
and exhibited by him to the Royal Society, at the
meeting of March 16, 1682 (See Eire he's Hijt . of the
Royal Society, voL IV. p. 137 J ; and, after being for¬
gotten, again brought forward by Dr. Scheele, has
been lately confirmed in the moft complete manner by
Dr. Herfcheli’s valuable experiments, in which he
found the colorific rays lefs refrangible than the calorific.
It was no unreafonable fuppofition, therefore, that the
fun’s rays contained phlogiflon, fince we fee that they
contained more than light. Nor was my conjecture
without fupport from what was then known. The
fun’s rays blacken the vitriolic acid, and from vitriolic
acid much blackened we can obtain fulphur. His rays
render colourlefs nitrous acid ruddy and fuming, in the
fame manner as a dnp of fpirit of wine would have
done. They deftroy vegetable colours, They blacken
luna cornea, and other metalline falts or oxyds, in the
fame manner nearly as fatty (teams and vapours do.
Thefe are Itrong indications of fome material emana¬
tions from the fun, and are in no manner explicable
by any mechanifm of elaflic undulations. Thefe phe¬
nomena cannot be conceived by the mind as the effeCts
of an undulation. They referable communications of
matter. But, indeed, the proportionality of the fines
of incidence and refraction has always appeared to me
to give the ftrongeft proof that the fun’s rays are emif-
fions of moveable, inert matter, affected, as all other
matter is affeCted, by what we call moving forces.

4 The new doftrines in chemlftry make no change ia
the inferences from thefe phenomena. It is not ad-

1 4 nutted

10S

BlackV Elements of Chemiftry *

mltted that phlogiffon is communicated to nitric acM
by the fun’s rays when they render it fuming ; but they
are faid to detach oxygen. The whole train of chemi¬
cal phenomena induce us to conclude that oxygen
is difengaged, either by being detached by fomething
now combined with the remainder, or that the thing
furnifhed by the rays makes part of the gas now
formed.

4 When 1 fir it heard ofScheele’s curious experiment
of throwing the prifmatic fpeftrum on the nitrate or
muriate of filver, in order to compare the blackening
powers of the differently colouring rays, it revived my
chemical fpeculations, from which I had long defifted j
and, in beginning to repeat bis Experiment, an acci¬
dental circumftance fuggefted to my mind an experi¬
ment which I thought decifive of the queftiom Is
light an emanation of matter from the fun, or is it the un-
adulation of an elaftic medium?” I propofed to form
an image of the fun on the nitrate of filver, by means
of rays collected by a metalline fpeculum, and made
to pafs through a glafs veilel filled with dear and colour-
lefs nitric acid. On the fuppofition that the prepa¬
ration of filver is blackened, and nitrous acid rendered
fuming, by the fame principle in the fun’s rays, I con¬
cluded^ that, when they had performed one of thofe
talks, they could not be in a condition to perform the
other, at leaft in the fame degree. I accordingly be¬
gan the experiment, and found a remarkable diminu¬
tion of the effeft by the interpofition of the acid. But
I could not make any very confident inference from
this, having long before that time found that the fe pa-
ration of heat and light by a tranfparent body, fucb as
Scheele’s pane of glafs, was chiefly owing to abrup¬
tion of the heat by the glafs, which, after it was fatu-
rated, tranfmits the heat copioufly, along with the
hght. It therefore required a train of experiments to
determine how much was owing to this caufe. Before
| could accomplifli this object, the failure of my health, in

the

Black’.? Elements of Chemifiry » 109

thefpring of 1787, put a full flop to all aflive invefliga**
tions and purfuits. N

‘ My thoughts on this fubjeff have again been roufed
by the obfervations of Meffrs. Bockmann and Ritter
in Germany, and Mr. Wollafton in England. They
have obferved that the muriat of Oliver was ftrongly
darkened by rays of the fun which are more refraffed
than even the violet rays. The muriat was affected,
in a fpace lying beyond the violet light, in the fame
manner as Dr. Herfchel had obferved the thermometer
affefted in a fpace equally Tn the dark, beyond the red
rays of the fpeftrum.

‘ Thus it appears that there are rays which illuminate,
rays which warm without illuminating, and rays which
affeff bodies chemically without producing either light
or heat. This obfervation bids fair for giving us more
knowledge of the nature of combufiion. And, if this
newly-difcovered principle (hall be found neceffary for
this moft remarkable phenomenon of nature, it may
very well be called the phlogijton , in whatever way it
contributes to the effect. And thefe faffs feem to re¬
commend the profecution of my experiment. It wTould
be proper to compare the darkening power of the rays
coming through nitric acid with that of rays coming
through as much water. The rays produce a remarka¬
ble effeft on the fir (I , and none on the laft.

4 But whatever may be the refult of fuch experiments,
it remains certain that the rays of the fun, and the light
of day, affeft plants in the manner defcribed above,
and in fome way or other are neceffary to the produc¬
tion of their molt combuftible ingredients. The plants
may be faid to feed on the light by their green leaves,
as much as they do on the juices of the foil by their
roots. As the roots are protruded all around through
the yielding foil, in queft of nourifhment from the
earth, fo do the plants direff their growth, and turn
the upper dilk of their green leaves to the light, and to
the light alone/

1 10 Black V Elements of Chemiftry .

It is curious to obferve, how well the principal
points of the modern antiphlogijHc theory, which has
conferred fuch fame on M. Lavoifier and his coadju¬
tors of the French fchool, were feen and undcrftood
more than a century ago ; and hill more furprifing,
that, when once feen, they fhould again have funk into
oblivion. This theory was feen in all its extent and
importance by Dr. Robert Hooke , one of the greatefl
geniufes and moll ardent inquirers into the operations
of nature, who figured during the latter half of the
ieventeeoth century, a period full of great difcoveries.

4 Dr. Hooke propofed this theory in confiderable de¬
tail in his Micro graph ia , publilhed in 1665 ( fee p.
103 J; and in his Lampas , publilhed in 1676; and he
makes it an important doEbine in his Treatife on
Cornets, and h) many paffages of his Cutlerian Lectures.
He promifes to take it into ferious confideration, and
to publilh a full exhibition of it. The allufions made
to it in his Tenures make it evident that he had con-
tinned to make fame defukory additions to his firft con¬
ceptions. His Lampas contains a moil accurate ex¬
planation of flame, which cannot be furpaffed by any
performance of the prefent day.

c In the Micrograph ia he Hates the theory in the
following words :

c 1 . The air in which we live, and breathe, and
move, and which encompaffes and cherifhes all bodies,
is the univerfai folvent of all fulphurous (fynonymous*
at that time, with inflammable) bodies.

c 2. T his afilion it performs not till the body be
futticiently heated, as we obferve in other folutions.

e 3. This action of dijblutiou produces the great heat
wJiich we calif re,

‘ 4. it a fits with fuch violence as to agitate the par->
tides of the diaphanous body air, and to produce that
elaftic pulfe called light (See his own hypothefs con¬
cerning the propagation of light ).

* 5: Thisadion, or diffolution of inflammable bodies.

Is performed by ajubjiance inherent in and mixed with

the

Blacks Elements of Chemijlry . Ill

the air, that is like , if not the very fame> with that
which is fixed in faltpetre .

c 6. In this diffolution of bodies by the air, a part
of the body, uniting with the air, is diffolved or turned
into air, and efcapes and flies about.

4 7. As one part is thus turned into air, fo another
is mixed with it, but forms a coagulum, or precipitation*
feme of which is fo lights as to be carried away with
the air, while other grofler and heavier matters remain
behind, &c. &c. This latter article is frequently em¬
ployed in other parts of his writings, and is fometimes
called a grofler compound , mixed with matters terrene,
and originally infoluble in air, and incombuflible.

c Can any thing more be wanting to prove that this
is the fame with the modern theory of combuflion?
Nothing but to fhew that this coagulum contained
the air whichhad formed it, by (hewing an increafe of its
weight, or by feparating it again. But the eager mind of
Hooke, attracted by every appearance of novelty, was
fatisfied with the general notion of a great fubjeH, and
immediately quitted it in chafe of fome other inte-
refling objeft. Had he not been thus led off by a new
purfuit, this wonderful man would not only have an¬
ticipated but completed many of the great difcoveries
of the laft century. It was a bold conception, and
only a vigorous mind could entertain it for a moment,
that the vaft heat of combuflion was contained in a few
grains of air. Yet this was his opinion, as appears by
the explanation which he gives, in various meetings of
the Royal Society, and in his lectures on comets, of the
deflagration of combuftible bodies with faltpetre, and
of fiery motion.

4 In the treatife called Lampas, he obferves, that
this his treatife, publifhed eleven years oefore, had
been very favourably received, and that he had not
feen any valid objection offered to it. It was in this
interval that Dr. Mayhow, at Oxford, publifhed his
book De Sale Nitro , et Spirit u Nitro-aereo, in which
beholds precifely the fame doflrine; but his exhibi¬
tion

112

Black's Elements of Chemiftri?.

iifi.

lion of it is obfcure, complicated, and wavering, mixed
with much mechanical nonfenfe, of wedges, and darts,
and motions, &c. according to the faihion of the
times. Hooke’s conception of the fub-jedt, on the con¬
trary, is clear, fimple, and heady. The only addition
made byMayhow are forae obfervations on theincreaie
of weight obferved in the preparation of diaphoretic
antimony, &c. Hooke explaining, at a meeting of the
Royal Society, feme tricks ot the plumber’s workmen,
who called the litharge which formed on the furface
of melted led drois, and took it with them as their per-
quiiite, fays exprefsly, that they can make drofs of the
whole, and that it is more than the lead by all the air
which was its menftruum. But Mayhow wrote on the
fubjeft exprefsly, and it appears in the title of his book.
Tie is remembered, while Hooke is forgotten, becaufe
bo one would think of looking into the Micrographia
for chemical information. The theory comes in by
chance, to explain the indeftrutfibility of charcoal in
clofe veffels by heat. Mayhow alfo made many very
ingenious experiments on the air which had contributed
to inflammation, and has anticipated both the mani¬
pulations and the difeoveries of modern pneumatic
chemiftry.

6 1 do not know a more unaccountable thing in thehif-
fory of fcience, than the total oblivion of this theory of
Dr. Hooke, fo clearly expreffed, and fo likely to catch at-
Mention. No notice that I know of had been taken of
it, till I mentioned it in the Supplement to the Cyclo¬
paedia Britannica, in the (ketch given of Dr. HerfchelT
difeovery of the radiation oi folar heat, in the article
Thermometrical Spectrum . I made the ohfervation in
1798, having then got a copy of Hooke’s Lampas, and
other trafits, which are as curious as they are rare.
And I then requeued Sir jofeph Banks to order a fearch
among Dr. Hooke’s papers, in the poffeffion of the
Royal Society. 1 am perfuaded that many of his fpe-
culations on this iubjeft will be found among them,

and

Black’ £ Elements of Chemijlry. US

and I earneftly requefl: an infpeftion of them to be
made/

The great degree of heat that may be accumulated
from the fun’s rays, only by carefully preventing their
diffipation, is fhewn in Note 25. c We fee what
conliderable heats are produced in the common gar¬
den glades, and in green-houfes, merely by preventing
the air from abforbing it and carrying it off. Mr,
Saufiure (Voyage fur les Alpes , II, 932) made a little
box, lined with fine dry cork, whofe furface was nice-*
ly and uniformly charred, to make it black, and alia
more fpongy and unfit for conducting heat. It was co¬
vered by a very fine and thin plate of glafs. Athermome«
ter being laid on the bottom, and the box let in the fun's
rays, when the temperature of the furrounding air was
75° Fahrenheit, the inclofed thermometer rofe to 20 L°
in a few minutes. The account is fomewhat equivo¬
cal, in the way of exprefiing the change on the ther¬
mometer ; and I fee fome foreign writers conclude
that it rofe to 229° ; 17° above boiling water.

4 1 confiru&ed an apparatus of this kind, employing
three very thin vefiels of flint-glafs, which transmits
much more heat (according to Herfchel’s experi¬
ments) than any other fpecies of glafs. They were
nearly of fimilar fhapes, arched above, and there was
about one-third of an inch of an interval between them.
They were fet on a cork bafe, prepared like Mr,
Saufiure’s, and fet on down contained in a pafieboard
cylinder. With this apparatus I have often, in a . clear
fummer day, raifed the thermometer to 230°, and once
to 237°, of Fahrenheit’s fcale. Even when fet before
a bright fire, it raifed the thermometer to a boiling
‘heat. When I took the apparatus into a damp cel¬
lar, before I fet the glaffes in their place, fo that the
air between them was damp, I found that, when ex-
*pofed to the lame degree of the fun’s light, I never
* could raife the thermometer above 208° ; whence l
concluded that damp air conducted heat much better

than

114 Blacks Elements of Chemijlry •

than pure dry air. I did not find that inflammable
air, or hydrogenous gas, was fenflbly inferior in its con¬
ducing power, notwithftanding its great rarity. When
1 made thefe experiments, I did not know the remark¬
able effeC of obflrubiion to the motion of the a if,
noticed bv Count Rumford/

It may not be amifs to notice, here, Dr. Hutton >
Theory of Rain ; a theory which, in the opinion of
Dr. Black, 4 explains fome of the greater changes in
our atmofphere more perfpicuoufly than any he knew."

It is known that, with regard to mo ft falts, the fc-
lubility varies with the temperature of the folvent.— >
Thus hot water diflblves a greater quantity of a fait
than cold does. Different falts differ much in this
refpeC. The fel de feignette (natron tartarizatum)
requires an ounce of water, of the temperature of 50°,
to diffolve 37 grains; but an ounce of boiling hot
water diffolves 640 grains, nearly eighteen times as
much as the cold water. Nitre is about feven times
more foluble in boiling water than at 50°. Glauber’s
fait is about three one-half times. Green vitriol is
about eight times: and fo of others. Dr. Hutton
found, however, that the progrefs of folubility was
not equable in any fait, in proportion to the rife of
temperature; but that, in moll of them, the folubility
increafed fafter than the temperature ; for, when he
took a temperature half way between the two ex¬
tremes, he found that the difference between the
quantities of fait diffolved in the hotteft water, and in
that of the mean temperature, was generally greater
than the difference between this laft and the coldeft
folution. Hence it follows, that the fait contained in
a pint of the hotteft, and a pint of the coldefl, is more
than is contained in two pints of the mean tempera¬
ture (all three being faturated folutions) ; and, there¬
fore, if the two extreme folutions are mixed, the mix¬
ture is not able to keep the fait diffolved. An inftan-

taneous.

Black V Elements of Chemijlry. 115

taneous, and fometimes a copious, precipitation takes
place.

Suppofing now the Solubility of water in air to be
affefled by a fimilar law, it follows that two ilrata of
air faturated with water, if of different temperatures,
cannot mix without precipitation taking place, that is*
without the formation of rain or vapour. 4 The ge¬
neral appearance/ the editor obferves, 4 of a clouded
atmofphere is extremely agreeable to this theory. It
generally confifts of extenfive Ilrata of clouds, of no
great thicknefs, feparated by ilrata of clear air, of
much greater thicknefs. The under furfaees of the
clouds are pretty even. This is precifely what fliould
happen. One great ilratum of air, coming from one
quarter of the heavens, glides over another, coming
perhaps from another quarter. Thefe, having a relative
motion, rub as it were on each other, and mix a lit¬
tle way into each other, producing a precipitation^
that is, a fleecy cloud ; but the interior parts of the
ilrata of air which do not mix, remain clear. This
conftitution agrees alfo finely with the elefirical phe¬
nomena of the atmofphere, giving an extenfive com
dueling coating to the ilrata of air which are in oppo-
fite ilates of eleftricity. A thunder dap is foon fuc-
ceeded by another, in the fame place, becaufe it only
reftores the elefiric equilibrium in a certain, perhaps
fmall, thicknefs in the clear ilrata of air; and the op-'
pofite electricities ftill remaining in the reft of the ftra-
tum, foon enable the coatings to give another dif~
charge. It is like the refiduum fhock from glafs that
is coated only in fpots. When an irregular wind
Ioffes the ilrata, and jumbles them together, then we
fee great roundifti clouds of a vaft thicknefs vertically .
Thefe clouds are probably clear within, and only fu-
perficially opaque, viz. in the touching boundaries of
the maffes of air fo jumbled, &cd

From Note 33 it appears , that Dr. Black had re¬
marked feveral of the properties of the nitrous am¬
moniac,

116

Black V Elements of Chemiftry.

moniac, and the produfiion from it of the very fingm
]ar gas, the nitrous oxide, which occafions fuch extra¬
ordinary fymptoms when infpired.

The following obfervations of the editor, relative to
Mr. Lavoifiers theories, and the general condufr of the
French philofophers in regard to the new chemical
dof'trines and nomenclature, will, we are fure, be gra¬
tifying to our readers : the accompanying reflections
are juft fuch as we might have expected from the au¬
thor of Proofs of a Con) piracy , 8 fc.

£ There were, however, fome points that prefented
great difficulties, and almoft put a bar in the w7ay to
the confident adoption of the theory [of oxygenation],
in the extent in which it was propofed. For it muft
be remarked, that Mr. LavoifieFs theory goes much
farther than the mere explanation of the phenomenon
of combuftion. He ftates the bafis of vital air as the
principle of acidity;— therefore the combination of this
principle with an inflammable body is equivalent, che¬
mically fpeaking, with the burning of that body. The
theory, therefore, embraces almoft the whole of che¬
miftry;— and combuftion, the moft remarkable pheno¬
menon of material nature, and almoft charafteriftic of
chemiftry, is now but a fubordinate faff,— a particu¬
lar mode of oxydation. But there were feveral effects
of the vitriolic and muriatic acids which could not be
explained by the theory in this its Ample form. Moft
fortunately fome experiments were madebyMf.Caven-
difli at the very time while this theory was in its
cradle, which opened a way out of all the difficulties
which then embarraffed it. The difcovery of the
compofition of water by Mr. Cavendifh in 1781, and
fully demonftrated by him in June 1783, was carried
to Paris by Mr. BJagden, iecretary of the Royal Socie**
ty, and by him communicated to Mr. Lavoifier, who
immediately repeated the experiments, and with great
addrels and ingenuity applied the difcovery to his
theory ; and not only got over the difficulties now

mentioned.

117

Black V Elements of Chemiftry.

mentioned, but by inverting the experiment, and re-
folving the water into its conftituent parts, he gave his
principles an influence aim oft unbounded, explaining
almofl; all the phenomena of aftive nature, it is here,
much more than in the firfl: conception of the theory
of combuftion, that the penetration, the inventive ge¬
nius, and the found judgment of Mr. Lavoilier are
mod confpicuous. The precife logic, to which he en¬
deavoured always to adhere, would have preferved
Lavoilier from many errors into which his followers 9
in all parts of Europe, have frequently fallen, — milled
by precipitant and overweening notions of their own
knowledge. The compofltion and decompolition of
water afford a mode of explanation fufceptible of fo
many forms, according to the fancy and the wifhes of
the employer, that there is fcarcely a phenomenon of
which a fpecious explanation may not be given in
more ways than one.

f Dr, Black fays moll juflly, therefore, that fcience
has caufe greatly to deplore the death of that eminent
philofopher. He always exprelfed a high opinion of
Mr, Lavoifier’s genius and found fenfe, but was much
difpleafed with the authoritative manner in which the
junto of chemifts at Paris announced every thing, treat¬
ing all doubt or hefitation about the juftnefs of their
opinions as marks of the want of common fenfe.

‘ But, perhaps, Dr. Black was not a competent judge
of the matter. In the courfe of his own difcoveries,
he was fatisfied with the juftnefs of his view of the
fubjeft; and he found himfelf able to communicate
his knowledge to his ftudents by means of very plain
arguments, and the moil familiar and Ample experi¬
ments. He defpifed the parade of multiplying expe¬
riments and argument; but he employed, with be-
coming acknowledgment of his obligation, the expe¬
riments furnilhed him by Mr. Watt and other friends,
in farther confirmation of his doctrines. Having fuf-
ficiently inftrufted his ftudents, he had no further care,
and was contented with that reputation which he en~

vol. x. K joyed

118 BlackV Elements of Chemijtry .

joyed without druggie, and which he was confcious
of deferving.

‘ But Mr. Lavoifier was in a very different fituation.
He faw that he was about to operate a complete re¬
volution through the whole extent of chemical fcience.
He could not but forefee doubt and oppofition on all
hands. Confident of vi&ory (after his happy employ-
ment of Mr. Cavendifh’s difeoveries), the profpect
was very flattering. I may perhaps add to this, the
genius and character of his nation. This is fcarcely
left in my choice, for, altnoft at the firft, the doftrines
of Lavoifier were preached by the affociated chemiffs
as the fyfiem of French chemijtry. Mr. Fourcroy,
Monge, De Morveau, and others, repeatedly give it
this name, with fome exultation. It was propagated
as a public concern; and even propagated in the way-
in which that nation always choofes to a£t, — by ad-
drefs, and with authority. Every thing pertaining to
the fyftem was treated in council, and all the leading
experiments were documented by committees of the
Academy of Sciences. To accomplifh this purpofe
more effectually, they publifhed the Annates de Chymie
in concert ; and they formed a new language, with
the pretext, indeed, of improving fcience, but, in reali¬
ty, that every thing might be forgotten which did not
originate in France. ASwifs gentleman, affectionate¬
ly attached to Dr. Black, was in Paris at the time,
viz. 1787, and wrote to him in thefe words: “ L'objet
4C qFi occupe : les chymijles fur tout cL prefent , deft la
nouvelle Nomenclature. II par oil qiCon vent par Id
xei le c o up de grace an pauvre phlogijlique ;
<c quant a Pair fixe ilfaut quelle devienne Pacide car -
boniquefi <S ic. Fhe writer had furely caught the

patriotic flame, otherwife he would have recolleCted
that it could not amufe his friend to learn that his dif-
covery, which had led the way, muftvanifh with the reft.
The psan was the fame with that of Fabre d Eglantine
with his new calendar ; a.nd the principle was that of

Rabaud,

119

Blacks Elements of Chemiftry .

Rabaud, — “ il faut tout detruire , — oui , — fozz/ detruire 9
iC — parce quit faut tout recreer”

‘ Dr. Black difliked this way of proceeding, fo un¬
like fcience and philofophy. He difliked the avowed
principle of the nomenclature, thinking it more likely to
corrupt fcience than to promote it; and he began to
write fome observations on it, but he foon de Med.

c Sometime after this, he had more reafon to be dif-
pleafed, and even to be offended. Mr. Lavoifier faw
that his theory of combuflion depended on the doc¬
trine of latent heat, and was extremely anxious to ob¬
tain Dr. Black’s acquiefcence. In the courfe of 1789*
Dr. Black received two letters from the Marquis de
Condorcet, full of refpeft for his ct illujire confrere 99
(Dr. Black having not long before been elefled affocie
etranger de 1’Academie des Sciences). In Oftober

1789, Mr. Lavoifier wrote to him in thefe words:
C’eft un des plus zeles admirateurs de la profondeur

*' de votre genie, et des importantes revolutions que
vos decouvertes ont occafionne dans la chymie, qui
“ profite de foccafion du voyage de Mr. B. a Edin-
S£ bourg,” &c.

£ Learning by the return of this gentleman that Dr.
Black thought well of his theory, and had introduced
it into his lefitures, he wrote to him again in July 14th,

1790, as follows :

<£ J’ apprcnds avec une joie inexprimable que vous
voulez bien attacher quelqUe merite aux idees que
<c j’ai profeffe le premier contre la doftrine du phlogif-
(( tique. Plus confidant dans vos idees que dans ies
“ miennes propres, accoutume a vous regarder comme
<c mon maitre, j’etois en defiance contre moi meme
<c (credat Judeeus Apella) tant que je me fuis ecarte,
<c fans votre aveu, de la route que vous avez fi glorieufe-
“ ment fuivie. Votre approbation, Monfieur, diffipe
<c mes inquietudes, et me donne un nouveau courage.
<e Je ne ferai content jufqu a ce que les circonfiances
me permettent de vous aller porter moi meme le
“ teinoignage de mon admiration, et de me ranger au

K 2 <s norabre

120 Black V Elements of Ghemijlry.

“ nombre des vos difciples. La revolution qui s’opere
£e en France devant naturellement rendre inutile une
“ partie de ceux attaches a 1’ancien adminiftration, il
(< eft poflible que je jouifle du plaifir de la liberte, et

le premier ufage que j’en ferai fera de voyager, et
i( furtout en Angleterre, et a Edinbourg, pour vous y
“ voir, pourvous entendre, et profiter de vos lemons et
ie de vos confeils.n

* Dr. Black wrote him a very plain, candid, and un¬
adorned letter in anfwer, exprefling his acquiefcence
in his fyftem. Mr. Lavoifier anfwcrs this by praiflng
in the higheft terms the elegance of the ftyle, the pro-
foundnefs of the philofophy, &c. &c. and begs leave
to infert the letter in the Annates de Chymie. Dr.
Black, who had been in very poor fpirits when he
wrote that letter, and was much diflatisfied with its
feeblenefs, was difgufted with what he now conceiv¬
ed to be artful flattery, and refufed to grant the re-
queft. Yet his letter appeared in that work before
his refufal could reach Paris.

« f This wheedling, in order to ferew out of Dr. Black
an acquiefcence, on which he put a high value for the
influence w'hich it would have on the minds of others,
was furely unworthy of Lavoifier. Dr. Black was
not only difgufted with the flattery, but ferioufly of¬
fended with its infincerity; and with a fort of infult
on his common fenfe, by the fuppofition that he could
be fo wheedled by a man whofe publications never
exprefled the fmalleft deference for his opinions ; for, by
this time. Dr. Black had read Mr. Lavoifier’s Elements
of Chemiflry, and the various diflertations -by him and
Mr. De la Place, publifhed in the Memoirs of the Acade¬
my. His name is not once mentioned, even in the dif-
fertations on the meafures of heat, where his doftrine of
latent heat is delivered and employed as the refult ofMr.
Lavoifier’s own meditations. Nor is he named in thofe
paflages of the earlier diflertations, where the characr
ters and properties of fixed air, and of the mild and
cauftic alkalis, are treated of. All appears to be the
train of Mr. Lavoifier’s own thoughts, for wrhich he

was

Black V Elements of Chemijiry. 121

was indebted to no man. Such inconfiftency with the
deference exprefled in the above cited letters pro¬
voked Dr. Black to fuch a degree, that he refumed his
critique on the nomenclature, and began to exprefs
his diflatisfaCtion with fome parts of the theory, and his
utter disapprobation of the unfcientific and bullying
manner in which the French chemifts were trying to
force their fyftem on the world. But, by this time,
his health was become fo delicate, that the lead
intenfity of ftudy not only fatigued him, but made him
ferioufly ill, and forced him to give it up. I faw
him but feldom at this time, being then in very bad
health myfelf: but had this information from Dr.
Hutton, who (hared all his thoughts. It was at
this time that he gave up his intention of making a
confiderable change in the arrangement of his lec¬
tures, and that he exprefled himfelf, as I have related,
at the end of the introduction to the particular doc¬
trines of chemiftry. But (till, notwithftanding the
contempt which he exprefled for the folly of a man
who had tried, by fulfome and infincere flattery, to ob¬
tain what he had given him unafked, by teaching all
his doCtrines, Dr. Black confide red the death of La-
voider as a great lofs to the fcience. He expeCted
much from his penetration and found fenfe ; and he
confidered him as the only perfon who could keep his
followers right, by checking their precipitant manner
of proceeding.

4 Profeflor Lichtenberg, of Gottingen, a man of ex-
ten five and accurate knowledge in every department
of natural fcience, gives an entertaining and inftruc-
tive account of the introduction of thefe doCtrines into
Germany. It is to be found in his preface to the edi¬
tion, 1794, of Erxleben's Introduction to Natural Phi-
lofophy ; as alfo in the Literary Magazine of Gotha.
Great hefitation, doubt, and objections, were to be
expeCted in Germany, the native foil of chemiftry,
and the refort of all who wiftied to perfeCt themfelves
in mineralogy. The new doCtrines were even receiv¬
ed with averfion and difouft. This, he fays, was

K 3 chiefly

122 BlackV Elements of Chemiftry*

chiefly owing to the character of the nation from
whence they came. The Germans, who had been
accuftomed to confider themfelves as the chemical
teachers of Europe, couJd not bear to hear the opi¬
nions of their mailer, Stahl, treated with contempt ; to
be told by Frenchmen, living among them for i nil ruc¬
tion, that the principles of Stahl v/ere fuch as no man
could embrace who had a [park of common fenfe; to
be told, in letters from France, that the principle of
Stahl was a mcra qualitas ; a mera contempLatio , a
fancy of the brain, which difgraced any man who en¬
tertained it tor a minute; and to have it added, with
faucy politenefs, dulci requiefcat in pace ! But what
mod provoked them, was the pitiful triumphs of vic¬
tory in which the French chemifls indulged them¬
felves. Fie fays, that when the aflociation had fluids
ed their experiments on the compofition and decom-
pofition of water, which filled up all the gaps of the
fyftem, they had a folemn meeting at Paris, in which
Madame Lavoifier, in the habit of aprieflefs, burned on
an altar Stahl’s Che mice dogmatic a et Experimentalis
Fundamenta, folemn mufic playing a requiem ; and he
remarks, that if Newton had been capable of fuch a
childifh triumph over the vortices of Des Cartes, he
could never be fuppofed the man who wrote the
Principia. I might add, that if Newton or Black had
fo exulted over Des Cartes and Meyer, their country¬
men would have concluded that they were out of their
fenfes. But at Paris every thing becomes a mode,
and muft he. fete. Dr. Black’s nice fenfe of proprie¬
ty made the intriguing conduct and arrogant aflump-
tion of all merit by the French chemifls extremely
offenfive to him, and has probably made him fo mi¬
nutely careful to place in full view all the labours and
difcoveries of the Britilh and Swedilh chemifls, par¬
ticularly thofe of Cavendifli and Scheele, which fup-
plied the great fa£ts on which the ingenious doffrine
^)f Lavoifie r is eflablifhed. — I flatter myfelf that this
flatement of fafls, and thefe refleflions, will not be
thought improper or unimportant.’

Art,

( 123 )

Art. XIII. An Account of the late Improvements
in Galvanifm , tilth a Series of curious and inte-
refiing Experiments performed before the Commif-
fi oners of the French National Inftitute , and repeat¬
ed lately in the Anatomical Theatres of London .
By JohnAldini, Prof (for of Experunental Phi -
lojbphy in the Univerfity of Bologna, Ec. To which
is added an Appendix , containing the Author's Ex¬
periments on the Body of a Malefactor executed at
Newgate: illnfi rated with Engravings . 4to., 221

pages, price ll Is. London, 1803. Cuthell
and Martin.

f 1 MIIS work is divided into three parts. In the
JL fir ft, the aftion of galvanifm is exhibited as in¬
dependent of metals, and fome of its general pro¬
perties explained. The fecond part contains expe¬
riments on the power of galvanifm to excite the vital
forces. The third points out its application to the
purpofes of medicine.

In part 1ft, the experiments, which are numerous,
and illuftrated by appofite engravings, are fo arrang¬
ed, as to ferve as proofs to a feries of general propo-
fitions, containing the principal laws of galvanic ac¬
tion ; chiefly, however, in relation to the animal ma¬
chine. To follow the author here, pari pafii , would
carry us to much too great a length : fuch of our
readers as with to make themfelves minutely acquaint¬
ed with the fubjedl, we beg leave to refer to the work
itfelf, where they will meet with much information,
clearly and fatistaftorily detailed. We rnay obferve,
by the by, that the greater part of the facts adduced
have, on different occafions, already been prefented
to our readers. We pafs on, therefore, to the fecond
part, which points out the influence which galvanifm
exerts on the vital powers. The experiments here
were made with the metallic pile of V olta. They
•ferve chiefly to fhew the excitability of different parts

K 4 of

124 AldiniV late Improvements in Galvanifm.

of the living body, compared with each other, in re*
gard to the galvanic, or rather electrical, ftimulus*
This part is divided into two fedtions ; the firfl
treats of galvanifm as applied to various quadru¬
peds, birds, and other warm-blooded animals : the
fecond contains experiments made on human bodies
after death. Thefe were inftituted on the bodies of
two criminals, who were decapitated at Bologna in
the month of January 1802. The fubjedts were both
young, and of robufi conilit utions. We (hall feleCt
feme of the molt ftriking of the experiments, principal¬
ly fuch as we have not before noticed.

On connecting different parts of the head with the
extremities of the pile, contractions of the mufcies
were always produced, occasioning diflortions of the
countenance in various ways.

* Exp. 27. Being defirous to examine, according
to the principles of Galvani, the power of an arc oi
animal moifture in warm-blooded animals, I recolledf-
ed that I had feveral times obferved fimultaneous con-
vulfions produced by thefe means in two frogs, and
recently in the heads of two oxen, the arc being con¬
veyed from the one to the other in different ways.

‘ I placed the two heads in a ftraight line on a ta¬
ble, in fuch a manner that the feCiions of the neck
were brought into communication merely by the ani¬
mal fluids. When thus arranged, I formed an arc
from the pile to the right ear of one head, and to the
left ear of the other, and faw with aftonifhment the
two heads make horrid grimaces; fo that the fpedta-
tors, who had no fufpicion of fuch a refult, w ere ac¬
tually frightened. It was, however, obferved, that
the convulfions excited in the heads difpofed in this
manner were not fo ftrong as thofe produced when I
performed the experiment on each head feparately.
It is certain that, in this experiment, the arc of ani¬
mal moifture fupplies the place of a continuation of
the nervous and mufcular fibres.

f Exp.

AldiniV late Improvements in Galvanifm, 125

* Exp. 28. Having tried the eflfeft of galvanifm on
the exterior part of the head, I proceeded to examine
the phenomena exhibited by the interior organs when
treated in the fame manner. I therefore removed the
upper part of the cranium by a fedfion parallel to its
bafe, uncovered the pia mater, and eftablifhed an arc
from one of the ears to the medullary fubflance. On
the application of the arc, ftrong convulfions were o li¬
fe rved in the face. While preparing the brain for my
experiments, I remarked that, in dividing the mufcles
ot the forehead, at each ftroke of the dilledting knife,
very ftrong contradbons, which continued after the
dififedlion was fin idled, were excited in the mufcles of
the face. I was informed that this is an uncommon
phenomenon in anatomical dififedtions ; and therefore
I fhall leave it to anatomifis to determine whether it
was occasioned, either in whole or in part, by the
preceding adlion of the pile.

‘ Exp . 29. Having, then, feparated the lobes of
the brain, I applied the arc to the corpus callofum, to
the ears or to the lips, and found that the whole ofleous
box and the mufcles of the face were violently agitat¬
ed. Some of the fpedtators even imagined that the
corpus callofum itfelf was affedted by a peculiar con¬
vulsion ; but it is poffible that this emotion was owing
to a mechanical impulfe which fhook the whole head.
New experiments will, therefore, be neceffary before
any thing farther can be laid in regard to this obfer-
vation.

‘ Exp. 30. Having carried the dififedtion to the ol-
fadtory nerves, and even to the croffing of the optic
nerves, I formed an arc from thefe parts to the lips
and the eyes, and obtained contradiions, but very weak
in comparifon of the preceding. I obferved that, on
touching the optic nerves with one of the arcs, no fen-
fible convulfions were produced in the eyelids/

t * ' • ■ ■ ' 1 . j

Having in various experiments produced contrac¬
tions of the mufcles of the limbs, M. Aldini proceed-

' ed

126 AMiniV late Improvements in Galvanifm.

ed to examine the effeCts of galvanifm on the trunk of
the body. On efiabli thing an arc from the fpinal mar-
row to the mufcles of the diaphragm, very fenhbie
contractions took place every time the circle was com*
pleted.

c Exp. 39. I then caufed the thorax to be open¬
ed, that I might try the effects of galvanifm on the
moil important of all the mufcles, the heart. The pe¬
ricardium having been detached, i applied the com
duCtor to the principal organ of life, and I even cauf¬
ed it to be opened, to examine whether there exifted
in any of its folds fome fibre fufceptible of ofcillation ;
but my refearches were fruitlefs. This infenfibility
ought, perhaps, to be afcribed to the want of a cer¬
tain degree of heat and of animal moifture not to be
found in a body two hours after death. It will, there¬
fore, be proper to repeat this experiment, taking care
to obferve all thofe conditions which may be necef-
fary to enfure its fuccefs.

f Exp . 40. In the preceding experiment I obferv-
ed that the diaphragm contracted, and that the blood,
which after this phenomenon I fuppofed to be coa¬
gulated, flowed, on the contrary, from the vena cava
inferior and the jugular veins, the moment the arc
was applied, and appeared of a bright red colour. Is
there reafon to conjeCture, that, though great contrac¬
tions cannot be produced, it is poffible to excite in
the interior parts of the heart fome ofcillations analo¬
gous to thofe which I obferved in the mufcles of the
thigh and neck ? This queftion can be determined
only by new* experiments.’

An afiafiin, who was decapitated at Bologna in the
month of January 1802, afforded opportunity for other
experiments on the brain and its membranes. They
were made in conjunction with profeffor Mondini , a
celebrated anatomift of that city.

- Exp. 44. Having fawn through the fkull with
every poffible precaution, and an arc being efiablifhed

from

Aldini’s late Improvements in Galvanifm . 12 7

from the dura mater to one of the ears, the ufual con¬
tractions enfued. The pia mater was then uncover¬
ed, and, by employing the fame means, the fame re-
fults and the fame effects were produced as had been
obtained in other animals.

c Ex p. 45. The cortical fubftance in the left he*
mifphere was uncovered, and, an arc being extended
from it to the right ear, the movements of the face
were exceedingly fenfible in the part oppoffte to the
uncovered hemifphere. 1 repeated the experiment
different ways with the fame refults, and found, as I
fufpeCted, that this procefs put an end to the anomaly
obferved in regard to the membranes and cortical fub¬
ftance, which at firft feemed to withfta'nd the general
aftion of the galvanic fluid, though it produced an
effeCt on the other parts of the brain. Dr. Mondini
took care to remove the fuperfluous moifture both
from the membranes and cortical fubftance, in order
to prevent hll fufpicion that it might facilitate a com¬
munication, in any manner, with the medullary fub¬
ftance.

c Exp. 46. Dr. Mondini, with his ufual ability,
having expofed in the brain the medullary fubftance,
the corpora ftriata, the corpus callofum, the thalamt
nervorum opticorum, and the cerebellum, and an arc
being formed of all thefe parts, we fully confirmed
the refults of the experiments which had been before
made on the bodies of other criminals.’

In this fubjeft, alfo, the heart remained uninfluenced
by the galvanic ftimulus. When the parts feemed to
have loft their excitability by repeated contractions ex¬
cited for a confiderable time, the a£tion was revived
by moiftening the mufcles with a folution of opium.
But it is not improbable, we think, that this might
have afted merely by affording moifture ; at leaft, the
experiments are not decifive as to any fpecific effect
of the opium.

< It refults, in general, from my experiments,’ M.
Aldini obferves, ‘ that moifture performs a confpicuous

part

128 Aldinih late Improvements in Galvanifm.

part in producing contractions, and that it is even
of more importance than animal heat. I indeed find
that mufcular contractions may be obtained after the
body has thrown out a great deal of its heat, eveni
when it has cooled for feveral hours, and when it has
been expofed to a temperature below zero ; for, if gal¬
vanifm be communicated to a body in that ftate, muf¬
cular contractions will be immediately excited ; but
they foon ceafe by the privation of animal moifture.
If a rhufcle, indeed, which has been laid bare refills?
the galvanic influence, its aCtion may be fpeedily re¬
newed by making an incifion into it, or into fome off
the mufcles which furround it. I can aflTert, that by
this procefs partial contractions were produced in the
human body five hours after death, every time that
the arcs were applied to the mufcular fibres.’

The following experiments confirm theTaCt of the
excitability of the brain and its membranes in regard!
to the galvanic ftimulus.

* Exp. 55. As thefe doubts related to a delicate
point, which would have produced fome variation in
the theory of a celebrated phyfiologift, I repeated the
experiment on the head of an ox newly killed, in the
prefence of profefibr Mondini, who made the neceffa-
ry preparations. The dura mater was laid bare, and,
the aCtion of the galvanifm being conducted to it,
firong contractions were immediately produced. The
fame phenomenon took place when the cortical fub- 1
fiance was brought into contaCl with one of the arcs.

I repeated this experiment with the fame fuccefs on
the heads of feveral oxen and lambs.

( Exp. 56. When I pafled through Turin, profefiT-
ors Vaflalli, Giulio, and Roffi, requefted me to per¬
form, in their prefence, my principal experiments,
and thole in particular which related to the mem¬
branes and the cortical fubftance of the brain. They
obferved, at the fame time, that, in uncovering the
brain of an ox with a cleaver, fome derangement, in

confe-

Aldini’s late Improvements in Galvanifm . 129

confequence of the agitation, might be effe&ed in
that organ, which would perhaps produce an altera¬
tion in the refults. Profeffors Giulio and Rolfi pro-
pofed, therefore, to uncover the brain by the trepan,
which gave a greater degree of precifion to the expe¬
riment. The dura mater of an ox being uncovered in
this manner, it was fubjefted to the action of galva¬
nifm, and even with this mode of preparation the m af¬
oul ar contractions every time the arc was applied
were pretty flrong. The arc being determined to the
cortical fubftance, the force of the contractions feem-
ed to be increafed ; and in general they appeared to
be more confiderable in proportion as the arc was
plunged to a greater depth into the fubftance of the
brain.’

As it is probable that galvanifm will be employed
as a means of reftoring fufpended animation, it will
not be amifs to (hew the way in which M. Aldini re¬
commends the application to be made for this pur-
pofe. — In order to try the vital force exifting in the
human body after death, I immerfe the hand in a fo-
lution of muriate of foda, and eftablifh an arc, one of
the extremities of which is made to pafs round the
fore-arm, while the other is brought into contact with
the bottom of the pile. I adapt to the extremity of
another arc an elaftic probe, which is applied to one
of the ears, moidened by means ot a fyringe with the
fame folution, and connect the other extremity of the
arc with the fummit of the pile. By this arrange¬
ment, various contractions, according to the different
degrees of vitality in the bodies, are obferved, fome-
times in the finders, fometimes in the hand, and fome-
times in the whole arm. The fingers bend, and move
in a fenfible manner; and fometimes the whole of the
fore arm proceeds towards the bread. The import¬
ance of this method for determining the duration of
the vital powers after death may be readily compre¬
hended. Should means be found hereafter to make

farther

130 Aldinih late Improvements in Galmnifm .

farther difcoveries in regard to this interefting point,
phyfiologifts may then be able to determine with cer¬
tainty thofe cafes when interment ought to be retard¬
ed, and thofe where the good of fociety requires that
every poffible means, of refufcitation ihould be em¬
ployed. In the large hofpital of Bologna, I made fe-
vera.l obfervations on this fubjeCl ; and remarked in
particular how much the nature of the difeafe contri¬
butes, cceteris paribus , to produce a difference in the
duration of the mufcular contractions, I tried the
cafe of death produced by putrid fevers, by pleurifies,
by wounds in the pericardium, by the fcurvy, and by
the confequences of parturition ; and I found a great
difference in the degrees of vitality, according to the
circumftances of the difeafe, the age and temperament
of the individual ; which confirms me in the opinion I
entertain, that thefe experiments, if long continued
without intermiflion by able phyfiologifts, might be
of the greateft benefit to medicine.’

We come now to the third part of the work, which
treats of the power of galvanifm as applied to medi¬
cine. Here, as might be expected, we quit the re¬
gions of certainty for thofe of conjecture, or, at be ft,
of probability. In the application of this principle to
chemiftry, and with the fimple view of determining*
the different degrees of excitability in animal bodies,
we proceed on tolerably certain grounds. In medi¬
cine, unfortunately, the phenomena are fo complicat¬
ed, and the intervening links of the chain frequently
fo obfcyre and imperceptible, that all our conclufions
become que'ftionable, when we attempt to generalize
our ideas. We fhall, therefore, be brief in our notice
of this part of the fubjeft, believing that almoft every
thing ftill remains to be done, and that we have
fcarcely yet entered the field of inquiry.

I he author frit points out the advantages which
the medical admimftration of galvanifm has over that
of common eiedfricity. "1 he difference, indeed, is

ft ri king,

AldiniV late Improvements in Galvanifm . 131

.1/'

linking, and probably important. The pile has a
flrong and continued aClion ; whereas that of the
eleCtrical machine is tranfitory and interrupted. In
point of convenience, alfo, the pile has the prefer¬
ence. as its aCMon is not diminished by the effeCls of

* V

rnoilture, and hence may be employed in damp wea¬
ther, and under circumdances where the common
electrical machine is incapable of acting.

The experience of the author of the effects of gal¬
vanifm in morbid affections of the fight and hearing,
is not fuch as to admit of any certain inference.

In cafes of afphyxia in animals from drowning,
feme of them, where galvanifm was ad mini he red,
were reftored to life : but the good effeCts of the ap¬
plication are at leaf! queftionable. It is of forne con-
fequence, however, to know, that, by galvanizing
the trunk of the animals, the action of the organs of
refpiration was evinced by the expulfion of air from
the lungs.

Two cafes of melancholia are related, which ap¬
peared to be cured by galvanifm, though in feveral
others it failed to produce a good effeCt : fufficient
encouragement, however, is held out for farther tri¬
als, In cafes of mania, or raving madnefs, the ap¬
plication was found to be hurtful, and even danger¬
ous.— -The effeCts of galvanifm on different animal
fluids we have eife where noticed.

Subjoined, are two DiJJertations on Animal Klee -
iricity , read by the author in the Inftitute of Bolc-gna,
in the years 1793 and 1794, and puhlithed by him at
the time in a feparate work. An Appendix is added,
containing an account of the experiments lately made
on the body of Forjler , executed for murder, and al¬
ready noticed by us ; others of a fimilar kind, made at
i Turin, by M. M. V ajj all i- Ean di, KojJ'i , and Giulia y
reported by the latter to the academy of that city y
j and, laftly, an account of the experiment made at
* Calais, on the tranlmiffion of galvanifm through an
arm of the fea. Art,

( 132 )

Ar t. XIV. Journal of Surgery , Midwifery , and Me¬
dical Juri '[prudence . By J. C. Loder, Profejfor of
Medicine at Jena. 1797.

THE firil article which prefents itfelf in the pre-
fen t colle&ion, refpe&s the ufe of arfenic
in cancer, a remedy that has been frequently em¬
ployed (though for the mod part by empirical practi¬
tioners), and as often laid alide. In fact, it has never
been confidered as a general remedy, nor is its charac¬
ter by any means fufficientlv afcertained ; though a
confiderable number of individual fa fits have been ad-

V . \ '

duced in its favour, both as an internal and an exter¬
nal remedy in cancerous affections. A cafe is related
in the Memoires de la Society Medicale d' Emulation
of Paris, where the cure of a cancerous fore was effect¬
ed by the application of arfenic, in the form of whati
is termed Roujfelofs powder* , and more lately a cafe
of cancerous mamma has been related by Mr. Simmons ,
of Manchefter, where the molt decifively good effects*
were produced by the internal ufe of the fame remedy! •
The refult of the experience of a judicious and credi¬
ble praCtitioner on fuch a fubjeCt is no doubt highly
interefting. Eight cafes of cancer of the face are here
given, treated by M. Schneider , furgeon-major of a
regiment of dragoons in the Pruffian fervice, and un¬
der the immediate infpeCtion of M. The den y firft furgeon
to the army of the King of Pruffia : fo that no quell ion
remains of the veracity of the reports.

Cafe 1. A peafant, aged fifty four, had had, for two
years, a cancerous ulcer on the face, extending from
the left ear to the middle of the chin, and from thence
upwards to near the eye. The furface of the ulcer

* For the compolition of this powder, fee Med. and Chir. Rev ., yolj
5, p. 204.

f See an account of this cafe, Med. and Chir. Rev., vol. 5, page 4.03
It is to be hoped Mr. S. will communicate the fecpiei of this interedin|
cafe, whatever has been the termination.

was*

LoderV Journal of Surgery, Midwifery , Sic. 133

i i

was unequal, prefenting conftderable elevations andde-
preffions ; it difcharged an ichorous, highly-fetid mat¬
ter, which conftantly irritated the neighbouring, parts.
A thin layer of the powder called Bernard's, or Father
Come's medicine*, was applied over the furface of the
fore ; foon after, a hard and thick efchar formed over it,
and which feparated in about feventeen days, leaving
a healthy-looking fore behind. The wound was then
dreffed with the Balfamum Locate Hi, and the cure
completed in about three weeks.

Cafe 2. A man, forty-fix years of age, had corroding
ulcers on the nofe and upper lip, and which were
of three years Handing. The furrounding parts were
covered with carcinomatous indurations, of a livid
colour. The pain he felt was fo exceffive as to de¬
prive him of deep ; whilft the neighbouring fkin of
the face was inflamed by the acrimony of the mat¬
ter furnifhed by the ulcers/ The tongue was foul.
After the ufe of a mild purgative, the arfenical powder
was applied as in the former cafe, and a cruft formed,
which fell off about the fame time as before. The fame
dreffings were applied, viz. LocatellVs balfam, and a
cure was effefted in about four weeks. No return of
the difeafe had taken place two years afterwards.

Cafe 3, Was of a man, forty-fix years of age, who
for four years had an ill-conditioned ulcer on the left
fide of the nofe, extending itfelf to the internal angle
of the orbit: the difcharge from it was of a fetid odour,
and the fore bled on the flighted touch. The patient
was in other refpe61s in good health. The powder
was applied as before ; the fame Houghing took place ;
and the cure was completed in about three weeks.

* The compofmon of this powder is as follows. Cinnabar, one
drachm afhes of old fhoe leather, eight grains:— dragon’s blood,
twelve grains: — white arfenic, fix grains. Powder and mix the whole
for ufe This remedy was employed by Guy de Ghauliac , and defcribed
in his Treatife Grande Chirurgxe , written in 1363, and printed at
Tournon in 15pS,

vol. x. L Cafe

134 LoderV Journal of Surgery, Midwifery, 8(c.

Cafe 4. A Polonefe jew, twenty-four years of age*
bad rruitlefsly employed a variety of remedies, for an
nicer which occupied the left ala nail, and alfo the
fuperior part of the nofe. The difeafe went on fpread-
ing, and the difcharge excoriated the parts with which
it came in contact. The fame treatment was followed
by equal fuccefs. During the cure, the patient con¬
fined himfelf to a milk diet.

Cafe 5, An officer of the etat-major of the garrifon
of Berlin had, for feveral years, a very painful ulcer
on the right ala nafi, and which had refilled a great
variety of remedies. The arfenical treatment above
defcribed effeCled a cure in the fpace of two months.

Cafe 6. A woman feventy-fix years of age had, for
feveral years, a cancerous ulcer at the internal angle of
the left eye, extending to the right fide of the forehead.
Various remedies had been ineffectually tried, w7hen
the above treatment was reforted to. In feven weeks
a cure was completed.

Cafe 7, Was of a woman, fifty- two years old, who
had been long tormented with a deep ulcer that oc¬
cupied the whole of the left lide of the nofe. After
the topical application of the arfenic had been made,
a cruft was formed over the furface of the ulcer, and
which feparated more flowly than in the preceding
cafes. The baifam was, therefore, applied at the end
of three weeks, and before the reparation of the efehar
had taken place. Suppuration foon appeared at the
circumference of the fore, but the centre continued
hard, and did not entirely feparate till after the lapfe
of a month. M. Schneider did not himfelf obferve
the termination of this cafe, but learnt that it was per¬
fectly favourable. The patient during the cure ufed
a milk diet, and drank only water.

Cafe 8. An old woman had for nine months an ulcer
fimilar to the preceding, fituated on the anterior part of
the nofe : the pus which was difeharged from it
irritated the neighbouring parts, and occafioned ex-

ceflive

LoderV Journal of Surgery , Midwifery, Kc. 135

cefiive pain. A cure was completed, on the fame
plan, in the fpace of three weeks.

Subjoined to the above cafes is another obfervation
of a fimilar kind, furnifhed by Dr. Wei neck, of Cliala .
This gentleman, in drefling a cancer of the mamma,
fullered, by accident, a drop of the cancerous matter to
be applied to his left cheek. The part was immediately
carefully wailied ; yet, alter fome days, he perceived in
it a burning pain, accompanied with intolerable itch¬
ing. A tumour foon formed, the fize of a lentil, and
which ulcerated, and difcharged a very acrid matter.
This was fucceeded by an ulcer with thickened edges,
and the furrounding parts were indurated and un¬
equal. For two years, various internal and external
means were employed for the cure of this difeafe ; but
in vain. Dr. Weineck, therefore, refolved to try the
arfenical remedy, which he applied accordingly in the
evening. About midnight be felt exceflive pain
from the application ; the cheek and left eye fwelled,
and became inflamed. He now removed the appli¬
cation. wafhed the furface of the fore, and covered
it with a warm carrot poultice. The fwelling and ir¬
ritation quickly abated ; the borders of the fore were
foftened, and the fuppuration changed its nature.
The fore was now drefied with Locatelli’s balfam,
and was entirely cicatrized in the courfe of fifteen
days.

To the above may be added a cafe of the fame na¬
ture, related by M. Sitbold , furgeon in chief to the
hofpital Jules, at Wurtzburgh , andinferted in the fourth
volume of Huf eland's Journal. It occurred in a wo¬
man twenty-nine years of age, and began by a fmall
wart on the left fide of the forehead. This continued
indolent for feven years, when it gradually enlarged
tffelf, and began to furnifli a purulent matter, which,
drying:, formed a fcab, the fpontaneous or accidental
removal or which was always followed by a degree of
hcemorrhage: this, however, was eafily flopped by a

L 2 comp refs.

136 Loder’s Journal of Surgery, Midxvifery , Kc*

comprefs. At length, the tumour extended itfelf in
every dire&ion, and became fungous. On the 3d of
January, 1796, the patient, whilft bathing, experienced
in aninftant fo violent an haemorrhage as to lofe nearly
a pound and a half of blood: but it was foon reft"ain-
ed by a comprefs and roller. Two days after* a frefh
bleeding took place, and recurred feveral times during
the fpace of eight days. The patient became much
debilitated; this, however, did not prevent the fur-
geon from having recourfe to venaefeffion, as all
other means had failed, and fainting alone promiTd
to put a final period to the hgsmorrhagy. On the 1 1th
of January the patient was brought into the hofpital,
fo weak as to be unable to walk ; her looks were pal¬
lid, and (lie was extremely emaciated, M. Siebold exa¬
mined the fungous excrefcence, which, at fir ft view, ap¬
peared to be of the fame fpecies with the excrefcence
called fungus of the dura mater, and which is de-
fcribed by Louis , in the fifth volume of Mem , de t Acad*
de Chir , More attentive examination, however, con¬
vinced him, that the frontal bone was perfectly found.
No refource remained to obviate the returns of haemor¬
rhage, but extirpation of the tumour, M, Siebold
dreaded the employment of the knife for the purpofe,
on account of the extreme weaknefs of the patient;
whilft the a final cautery appeared too painful, and
might, at the inftant of the feparation of theefchar, give
rife to frefii haemorrhage. It was determined, there¬
fore, to employ Bernard's remedy, which was accord¬
ingly made into a pafte, and applied over the tumour,
firft made dry with a fponge. Over this was laid
fome lint, fpread with a foft ointment, and the whole
covered with the capeline bandage. A violent fever
came on, with great pain, and oedernatous fwelling
over the whole head, particularly on the face ; and
during the night there was confiderable delirium.
Emollient fomentations were applied, and, when the
efchar had formed, it was anointed with oil of turpen-
tjne? and covered with the ftorax plafter. At the end

LoderV Journal of Surgery, Midwifery, Kc. 137

of eight days, no figns of fuppuration having appear¬
ed, an emollient cataplafm was applied, with the de¬
li red e fife 61 : the pain and fweiling diminifhed, and
the patient enjoyed natural reft The cauftic not
only had confumed the fpongy and cancerous excre-
fcence, but had extended its adlion down to the
pericranium, which was entirely feparated from the
bone. Dreffings of a fimoie kind were now made
life of, and bark and reiloratives adminiflered inter¬
nally, This treatment had fo much effect, that a
bleeding was judged neceffary. In order to accele¬
rate the cure, a number of fupcrficial furrows were
made on the bone by the trepan: granulations quickly
fprumg up,, and in the fpace of four months a com¬
plete cure was produced.

Whether the cafes now related are to be confidered
as really carcinomatous, or otberwife, or as reiembling
the cancer of the female bread, feme perhaps will be
difpofed to doubt : yet it muft be admitted that they
belong to a clafs of ulcers of very difficult cure, and
to which the name of cancer has been very gene¬
rally given. In this point of view, they have a ftrong
claim to attention, as furnifhing very ample proof of
the efficacy of a remedy, of herculean powers, indeed,
but which feems to have been too (lightly inveftigated,
and too much neglected by regular and cautious prac¬
titioners.

Chirurgical Obfervations : by Profeffor Richter, of
Gottingen. — The firft of fhefe is, a cafe of gangrene
on the arm, in eonfequence of a wound in this part
by a fabre, which rendered it neceffary to apply a lb
gature on the humeral artery ; the fecond, a gan¬
grenous ulcer on the toe, occurring in a woman
feventy years of age, and forming one of thofe cafes of
mortification in the lower extremities fo well defcrib\
ed by our countryman Mr. Pott. Thefe cafes are
only remarkable, as (hewing the little reliance to be
placed on general rules in the pr&cllce of phyfic.

L 3 The?

138 Loder’s Journal of Surgery , Midwifery ,

They were both treated on the ufiial tonic and diniu-
3ant plan ; the latter, in particular, by the free ufe of
peruvian bark and opium. In both, the fymptoms
were manifeftly aggravated by this plan of treatment,
and as decidedly relieved by the ufe of moderate laxa¬
tives and the common antiphlogiftic regimen.

* Cafe of Trifmus, the Confequence of a complicat¬
ed. FraCture, cured by Amputation : by M. SieboldJ — In
this cafe, great violence had been committed by a
cannon-ball on the mufcles and bones of the leg, and fe-
veral wounds had been at the fame time inflift ed on other
parts. The fymptoms continued favourable till the
feventeenth day", when trifmus came on, which refill¬
ed the mod liberal employment of opium, mercury,
and other remedies. Amputation of the limb was
then had recourfe to; but no perceptible advantage
with regard to the fpafms was perceptible for fame
days. After this period, however, a gradual amend¬
ment took place, and the patient recovered perfectly,
though flowly.

The next cafe is alfo one of Trifmus, following
the Extirpation of the Tedicle, related by M. Murfinnay
burgeon-major and profeffor of forgery at Berlin. — The
difeafe, in this indance, did not make its appearance
till three weeks after the operation, and when no cir-
cumdance in the progrefs or date of the wound led to
a fufpicion of any bad confequence. The fpafms
continued no lefs* than fix weeks, notwithdandins:
opium and mercury were mod freely adminidered.
The fpafms went on increafing for the fird ten days,
and continued at the height for as long a period, from
which time they gradually declined.

In both thefe cafes, as in the generality indeed of
fuch, there appears' no fatisfaCtory evidence of any
utility being derived from the opium or mercury em¬
ployed. The fpafmodic affeCtion feems to have gone on*
quite uninfluenced by the treatment. The connec¬
tion between wounds and confequent trifmus is per¬
fectly obfcure: it appears to be altogether independ¬
ent

Loder "s Journal of Surgery, Midwifery, <Sfc. 139

ent of irritation,, inflammation, or other vifible affec¬
tion of the wounded part; and fometimes even fpafms
have not come on till the wound has been entirely
healed. Much has been faid on the utility of cut¬
ting off the connexion of the wounded part with the
brain, by divifion of the nerves going to the part; and
amputation of the limb has frequently been reforted
to for the fame purpofe. But the advantage of this
practice is very problematical ; for it has mod fre¬
quently failed of putting a flop to the difeafe ; and in
the former of the cafes above defcribed, the fpafmo-
dic fymptoms were more violent for feme time after
the operation.

Subjoined to the above, is another cafe of Trifmus,
occurring in a maiden, thirty years of age, who had
fathered much for a long time with pains of the limbs
and various nervous affeftions, which had been treat¬
ed without fuccefs. Warm bathing was then had
recourfe to, and, after this had been purfued for the
fpace of a month, a violent pain took place fuddenly
about the mufcles of the jaw, which foon became en¬
tirely immoveable. Mercurials, opium, elebfricity,
&c. &c. were all employed with little advantage. She
continued in this date for fever al months, unable to
take any but liquid nourifhment, when a violent flux
took place, and amongft theftools was obferved a tape¬
worm, ten ells in length. Purgatives and vermifuges
were then adminiftered ; but neither before nor after¬
wards was any more of the worm difeharged. The
menfes, which had been fuppreffed, now made their
appearance, and the flrength began to return. The
rigidity of the mufcles of the jaw alfb began to give
way, and gradually, though by very flew degrees, en¬
tirely difappeared.*— Befides the cafe now related, there
have been others, where trifmus was fuppofed to be
owing to the prefence of worms in thje inteflinal canal.

' \

T . U

Art,

( 140 )

Art. XV. An Account of the Difcovery of the Power
of Mineral Acid Vapours to deftroy Contagion . By
John Johnstone, M.D. 8vo., 38 pages, price
Is. London, 1803. Mawman.

The employment of mineral acid vapours for the
deflruclion of contagion conffitutes an import¬
ant epoch in medical hiftory. Different philofo-
phers have contended for the honour of difcovery,
and their claims have at different times engaged a (hare
ofour attention. The difcovery is of modern date ; for the
ufe of fumigations with fulphur,arfenic, nitre, &c., which
were early had recourfe to in times of peftilence, appear
rather to have been adopted with a view of driving out,
than ofdeftroying, contagious effluvia. In theyear 1773,
M. Guyton de Morveau employed the muriatic acid
vapour with fuccefs, in purifying the cathedral church
at Dijon from the putrid and peflilential vapour
with which it was infeifed : but the account was not
publifhed. till ten or twelve years afterwards, in the
Mem . de i Acad, des Scicn. Dr. Carmichael Smyth
nfed the nitric acid vapour for the purpofe of deftroy-
ing infedlion in the year 1780, and has been fo far
confidered in the light of a difcoverer, as to have ob¬
tained lately a confiderable parliamentary reward*.
The Committee of the Houfeof Commons, in their re¬
port on Dr. Smyth’s petition, hate, “ that the nitrous
fumigation poffelfes this peculiar advantage over fome
other means of preventing contagion (the committee
allude to the fulphuric and muriatic acids, which ap¬
pear. to po fiefs the Urongefl claim to this character),
that it maybe ufedin placesthe moll crowded withfick,
without injury to any clafs of patients. And the com¬
mittee have already pointed out the fundamental and
important diilinfcfion between the nitrous and other
two mineral acids, that the former can alone be re-
fpired without injury, and therefore can alone be.

* The parliament voted him the fum of 50001,

ufe dP

141

Johnftone on Mineral Acid Vapour's .

ufed, except in places from which the patients and
all other perfons have been removed. ”

In the pamphlet before us, the claim to difcovery
is urged in favour of another, the author’s father ; and,
as it appears to us, on very fatisfaClory grounds.
54 Nearly fifty years before the framing of this report
of the committee of the Houfe of Commons, a coun ¬
try phyfician had acquired eminence by the difcovery
of a certain method of deftroying infection, which
could be ufed, with perfect convenience, in the apart-
ments of the fick. In 1758, Dr. James Johnftone
publifhed his ( Hiftorical Differtation concerning the
malignant epidemical Fever of 1756, with fome account
of the malignant difeafes prevailing fioce the year
1752, in Kidderminfter.’ In that differtation, adopting
the theory of the day, he propofes to keep the air free
from putrefaction by the fteams of vinegar; or, as a
more effectual method, £ the marine acid may be
raffed very eafily, by putting a certain quantity of
common fait into a veffel kept heated upon a chaffing-
dilh of coals : if to this a final! quantity of oil of vitriol
is, from time to time, added, the air will be filled with
a thick white acid fleam.*’ It is fortunate for the
fame of Dr. Johnftone, that this difcovery was pub¬
lifhed at the time. He had ufed the mineral acid
vapour to correCt the contagion of putrid fever in his
earlieft praCfice. The advantage derived from it be¬
came fo well known in Kidderminfter, that the manu¬
facturers, during the prevalence of fevers in that town,
fpontaneoufly placed the fuming veffels in their thops;
and Dr. J. continued to ufe the muriatic vapour in
his extenfive practice, to the laft hour of his life; yet
all this would have availed little, had it remained a
mere matter of prafcription. It would have been
negleCted or undervalued, and perhaps the praCfice
and difcovery altogether denied. I fhall not dwell
on thefe poffibilities. It was publifhed in 1758, as
having been pra6tifed in 1756; and the book attraCfed

* * Hiftorical DifF? nation, p9 5U

142

John (tone on Mineral Acid Vapours .

fo much notice, that the whole edition was quickly
fold*.”

The opinion that the muriatic acid vapour can¬
not be ufed w7ith convenience in the apartments
of the fick, and that it is inferior in efficacy to the
nitric acid vapour for the deftruHion of contagion, is
here very fatisfaHorily difproved. Various infiances
are adduced, where the muriatic acid fumigation was
employed by Dr. Johnfione, and others under his
direction, for fuppreffing febrile contagion, and with
complete fuccefs : they will only be queftioned by
thofe (few indeed) who deny altogether the agency of
mineral acid vapours for this purpofe, and who truft
every thing to the power of ventilation and ablution.
But however this may be, it is clearly proved, that
the muriatic acid vapour is equally mild, and equally
fafe, with the nitric, and has even fome advantages
over the latter, in being more eafily extricated, and
more quickly and widely diffufed.

Dr. Johnftone’s method of ufing muriatic acid
vapour was as follows:- — Put one pound of common
fait into an earthen veffel, and pour over it, from time
to time, a final! quantity of vitriolic acid, till the whole
fait is moiftened. If the air is foul, and peculiarly
ofienfive, the veffel may be heated, to extricate a
larger quantity of vapour ; but, in a common way,
the addition of the acid to the fait will anfwer with¬
out applying heat, in rooms from fifteen to twenty feet
fquare.

The whole apparatus confifis of an earthen difh filled
with fait, which may he placed in a corner, and re¬
quires no attention.

The muriatic acid vapour is always attended with
a vifible cloudinefs of the air of the apartment in
which it is diffufed, a quantity of humidity being
precipitated as it arifes. Hence it is eafy to guard

* * It is mentioned in the voluminous catalogue of Ploucquet ; of
sourfe was not unknown in Germany/

againff

Johnftone on Mineral Acid Vapours. . 143

againfi: too great an accumulation of it, or to avoid its ap¬
proach. The nitric vapour is more tranfparent and
invifible ; and in one inftance, the author obferves,
fuffocation had nearly taken place in a very large
room, from its too great concentration.

On the comparative convenience and inconve¬
nience of application of the nitric and muriatic acid
vapours, the following decifive evidence is given, the
refult of experiments made in the Infirmary of Wor-
cefier, and the General Hofpital near Birmingham.

Dr. Skey, phyfician to the Worcefter Infirmary,
writes thus : — “ I regret that various circumftances have
combined to prevent my returning you an earlier an-
fwer to your letter. The time, however, which has
elapfed, has enabled me to give you a fairer trial of
the two acid vapours, as to their refpedtive effects on
the lungs.

<c The general refult of the experiments made in
three of our wards, namely, two on the women’s fide,
and one of the men’s, with as accurate an attention
as I could pay to afcertain the fafit in fimilar circum¬
ftances, was, that on the whole more diftrefs was felt
by the p>atients, when the ward was filled with ni¬
trous acid vapours, than when with muriatic. The
firft gave rife to ficknefs, vomiting, cough, and dizzi-
nefsj the laft did fo too, but in a much inferior de¬
gree : fuch at lead was the alrnoft unanimous
opinion of the patients themfelves. I ought to re¬
mark, that as the object was to try the relative effects
of the acid vapours on breathing, in both cafes the
patients were more expofed to the vapours than is
commonly neceffary in fumigating: to this mufl be
attributed the more than ufually difagreeable effects
of the nitrous acid vapour, which occurred particu¬
larly in one of the women’s wards, where were feve-
ral much debilitated patients.

“ I remain, dear Sir,

“ Year’s, faithfully,
(Copy.) ^ “ Jos. Sxe.y.

Worcefter , kept. 22, 1802,’*

144 Johnfione on Mineral Acid Vapours.

“ In the General Hofpital near Birmingham, the
following experiments were made under the inflec¬
tion and diredtion of the Reverend George Hickes,
A.M. redtor of Burnfall, in Yorkfhire, and of Mr.
Partridge, houfe-furgeon and apothecary to the hoff
pita).

“ In two unoccupied lower wards, each about
thirty feet by twenty- one, and fifteen high, were
placed two earthen veffels, with 15 fs. of fulphunc acid
in each. In the veffel on one fide Ibfs. of common
fait was added to the acid, and in the other Ibfs. of
common nitre, and both rooms were fliut up for fome
time. The ward with the mixture of common fait
and fulphuric acid was full of vapour which was
pungent to the nofe, but excited no cough, and was
thought pleafant. A water-clofet adjoining, which
before was very offenfive, in two or three minutes
was rendered perfedlly fweet, on the door being open¬
ed, and muriatic acid gas admitted into it. In the
correfponding ward, the fmell of nitrous vapour was
not near fo ftrong, nor when we flood over the veffel
did it fo fenfibly affedt the noflrils as the muriatic;
but it much more flrongly irritated the top of the
windpipe, producing the irrefiilible neceffity of
coughing; and the gentlemen obferved, that the
chief difference of their feelings in the two wards
was, that in the one the muriatic acid gas was more fen-
fibly felt in the nofe, affefiing it with a fort of tickling
which was far from unpleafant, and that in the other
the nitric acid gas always affected the throat foftrono--
ly, as neceffarily to induce coughing (which was not

the ufual AJeft of the muriatic), but did not irritate the
nofe.

“ In the two large middle wards, three veffels, each
containing ^fs. of fulphuric acid, were placed, accord¬
ing to Dr. Smyth’s diredlion, at the diftance of fifteen
feet from one another, and an equal weight of nitre
was added to the three veffels in one ward, and of
fait to the fame number in the other. To the veffels

containing

[

Power on the Egyptian Ophthalmia . 145

containing nitre, heat was applied. The fmell of the
two acid vapours was very faintly perceptible in both
wards, and the patients felt no inconvenience from
and expreffied no diflike of either. Mr. Partridge, who
has repeatedly ufed both the nitric and muriatic va¬
pours, in the different wards of the hofpital, upon the
whole, finds the muriatic more agreeable to the patients
than the nitric, after it has been diffufed over the apart¬
ment on its ftrftrifing; and till diffufed, it of courfe
could not be agreeable. The difference, however,
he thinks inconfiderable, and he finds both equally
ufeful for deftroying the offenfive fmell of crowded
wards, and both nearly equal in convenience of ap¬
plication.”

Thus it muff appear, from the Ample inflection of
dates, that the palm of difcovery, with regard to the
power of the mineral acid vapours to deftroy conta¬
gion, is juftlv due to Dr. Johnftone, who fir ft employed
the muriatic vapour in 1752, and publiftied the ac¬
count of it in 1758. The fame acid was afterwards
ufed in France in 1773, by M. Guyton de Morveau ;
and, laftly, the nitric was ufed by Dr. Carmichael
Smyth in 1780. In drawing up the prefent ftatement,
the author has difcharged an important duty to fcience,
and to the memory of his deceafed parent.

Art. XVI. Attempt to invejligale the Can fe of the
Egyptian Ophthalmia ; with Obfervations on its Na¬
ture and different Modes of Cure. By George
Power, Affifiant Surgeon to the Twenty-third Regi¬
ment of Foot. 8vo., 72 pages, price 2s 6d. Lon¬
don, 1803. Murray.

AMONGST the maladies which affiiGed the Euro¬
pean troops in Egypt during the campaign of
1 80 i , there was none perhaps productive of more diftreff-

ing

146 Power on the Egyptian Ophthalmia .

ingconfequencesthan the ophthalmia. Thi-sdifeafeap*
pears to be endemic in that part of the world, though
Its occafional caufes do not yet feem to be fatisfaclori-
]y and unqueftionably afcertained. Prof per Alpinus ,
who re Tided fome years in Egypt, and publiflied a
large work on the difeafes of that country about the
end of the fixteenth century*, makes particular men¬
tion of the ophthalmia. According to this writer, the
exciting caufes of the difeafe are, the fand blown in
clouds from the defert, and the hot air itfelf, as well
as the nitrous impregnation he fuppofes it to contain.
* Pulvis ilia vel arena copiofa ventis arrepta, atque
per aerem agitata, non minus quam aer fuo calore
corpora laedit, atque offendit, oculofque maxime
quos mordet et inflammat. Hincque epidemias
plurimas et Ophthalmias quae tunc temporis per
illam urbern (Scil. Cayrum) vagantur, originem ha¬
bere dicerem. Quo tempore multas peftiferas
febres, atque phrenitides, homines non diebus fed
Boris paucis perdentes, fceviflimafque Ophthalmias

Ibi vagari obfervavi. — - Hyeme oculorura lippi-

tudines ibi (Scil. Alexandr.) multas vagantur. Piu-
rimafque Cayri eafdemque per omnia anni tempora
homines invadere ob nitrofum pulverem qui con¬
tinue oculos habitantium mordicat et calefacit.
Spar Jim vero per urbern toio anno hce oculorum in-
flam mationes vagantur (Profp. Alp. De Med.
Egypt, lib. 1. p. 10,24).’

Of modern writers, M. Volney , in his Travels in
Egypt 9 obferves, ‘ that this difeafe is frequent in
Syria, on the fea-coaft; that in the city of Cairo, which
is always full of filth, the diforder is more frequent
than in all the reft of Egypt ; that the common people
are more liable to it than perfons in eafy circumftances,
and the natives more fo than ftrangers; and that the
peafants of the Delta are more fubjedl to it than the
Bedouin Arabs w7ho inhabit the Defert 5 adding, that

* De Medicina Egypuoram.

thefe

Power oil the Egyptian Ophthalmia. 1 47

thefe defluxions happen at no certain feafon, notwiih-
flanding what is laid by Profper Alpinus; but are an
epidemical diforder, common to every month of the
year, and to every age.’

Ambngfl the predifpoflng caufes of this difeafe M.
Volney mentions the ufual diet of the Egyptians,
which generally conflfts of green fruits and raw ve¬
getables, particularly onions, which, he fays, produce
a diforder in the ftomach that phyficians have obferved
to affeft the fight. The cuftom of (having the head,
and covering it with a very hot head drefs, are alfo
among the caufes afligned ; and like wife hereditary
predifpofition.

Mr. Power, in the pamphlet before us, difputes
the agency of the caufes now afligned. That the lands
blown from the defert are not the caufe, appears from
•hence, that the Bedouin Arabs, who inhabit the defert,
are exempt from the difeafe : to which it may be added,
that General Baird's army, on their arrival at Cairo,
after a fatiguing march acrofs the Ifthmusof Suez, did
not appear to have differed at all from ophthalmia. Se¬
condly, the foldiers were found to contract the difeafe
chiefly in the night, when the heavy d.evvs prevented the
dull from floating, and alio when they were pelted in
the molt fertile parts of the country. One third of
the men, the author obferves, compofing the night pi¬
quets of the army incamped before Gheza always
returned from that duty with ophthalmia, and frequent¬
ly with ulcerated fauces. The difeafe aifo frequently
occurred in places where neither of the caufes athgned
could poffibly have operated.

This uncertainty refpefting the exciting caufes of
the difeafe is by no means removed by any thing ad¬
duced in the prefent work The author, however,
appears to lay the chief ftrefs on the abundance of
putrid vapour which he fuppofes to be conflantly
floating in the atmofphere, from the great quantity of
animal and vegetable fubftances affed upon by heat
and moifture. The ammoniacal and other falts thus

formed

I4S Power on the Egyptian Ophthalmia .

formed may, he thinks, 4 occafion an ulceration of the
fauces, together with a peeling of the (kin from the
face and hands, and, from their pungency, mud be
peculiarly dedructive to the eyes.’

Thefe effluvia, which the author defignates by the
general term putrid vapour , are the fame which, in his
opinion, 4 produces, in debilitated fyderns, that highly
putrid fever called plague. In a patient lefs relaxed,
as the habit of body determines the difeafe either
to the furface of the (kin or to the intedines, an
eruptive fever or dyfentery is produced. And when
the putrid virus is but partially applied, to the eyes,
for indance, or to the mouth, or even on the furface
of the body, ophthalmia, ulcerated fauces, or ichorous
blotches on ffle (kin, enfue.

From the following paffages it appears, that genera!
debility of the fydem drongly predifpofes to the dif¬
eafe. * When weconfider,’ the author obferves, 4 the
degree ofhealth enjoyed by the Britifh forces in the
early period of the campaign, whild a liberal fupply
of animal food and a moderate allowance of wine
and fpirits fupported their native energy and vigour ;
and when we contrad fucli health with the mortality,
as well as the general prevalence, of ophthalmia
which reigned at the fame period amongd the debi¬
litated natives and l urks ; it will appear very evi¬
dent that this caufe of difeafe exided condantly in
Egypt, modified, as it fhould feem, by fome fortuitous
coincidence of fubordinate circumftances.

4 This enviable fecurity, however, the Britifh did not
long enjoy ; for wfflen the fatigues of the march to
Cairo, aggravated by repeated expofure to viciflkudes
of heat and cold, the pain of a wound, diarrhoea, or
other debilitating caufes, had operated any length of
time, and had rendered the fydem fufceptive of conta¬
gion, the plague appeared fo frequently at Rofetta, in
common with ophthalmia and other difeafes, that it w7as
found necedary to eftablilh a feparate hofpital for the
reception of patients ill of the former, and to prohibit

the

Power oii the F. gyplian Ophthalmia. 149

the admiffion of a fugle patient into the General Hofpi-
tal, until a fcrupulous examination of the fymptoms had
taken place. Under thefe infpe&ions, the great va¬
riety of difeafes that appeared, compared with the
fimilarity of circumftances in which they were contract¬
ed, afforded a linking proof of the general prevalence
of the putrid virus in the atmofphere, whilft a gene¬
ral tendency to putrefa&ion rendered its conftant exift-
ence and increafed acrimony within the hofpitals
equally evident- The frnalteft fore ariffng from a
common pimple would often fpread to an alarming
extent, and even fuperficial wounds were generally
attended with fuch exquilite pain and wearifome alter¬
nation of health and difeafe, that the patients them-
felves frequently requefted the amputation of the limb.
And when this operation furnifhed the only likelihood
of laving the patient, or of refraining the rapid progrefs
of mortification, the wound produced by the hand of
the furgeon almoft uniformly affumed the fame ap¬
pearance as the original fore, until nature, exhaufted,
as it were, by repeated yet ineffectual efforts, yielded
at length to the powerful influence of the putrid virus,
and diffolution clofed the melancholy cataftrophed

The author agrees with Mr Edmonfton in con-
fidering the Egyptian ophthalmia as contagious, and
has brought forward feveral ffriking proofs of the faCt.

4 The firli unequivocal inftance of the fort that oc¬
curred to me, was in the cafe of Madam Rofetti, wife
of the Imperial Conful at Cairo. This lady, who
feidorn or never went out of her houfe, and, from an
id:a of the contagious nature of the difeafe, always
avoided thofe affeCled with it, having fat at table
through complaifance oppoffte to a gentleman ill of in¬
cipient ophthalmia, felt its influence almoff inffanta-
neoufly, and the next day was confined to her room.

‘ Several failors of the’ different troop-ihips, who on
enquiry were found to have been feldom on ihore, and
had never before been attacked with ophthalmia, were
very generally affeCted with it on their paffage home,

vol. x. M appearing

150

Power on the Egyptian Ophthalmia .

appearing to take the difeafe from the foldiers, many
of whom were then ill of the complaint : and as rapid
an inflammation of the eyes has been known to take
place in many inftances on boafd-fhip at fea as ever
occurred on the plains near Cairo, or amongft the
floating volumes of comminuted * granite, lime,
and fand, on the fite of old Alexandria.

4 It was obferved at Aboukir, that one tent only in
the line of encampment of the Hompefch Huflfars had
been particularly remarkable for infecting the men
with ophthalmia. Put other inftances can be men-
tioned, fhewing in fo ftrong a manner that this difeafe
was propagated by infe£lion, as to leave no doubt of
Its contagious nature.

4 The Cambrian Rangers, a fencible regiment that
had never been nearer to Egypt than Gibraltar, being
frequently obliged to mount guard and aftociate with
the men of thofe regiments which returned from that
country, were frequently attacked with a difeafe that
aflumed precifely the fame appearance as the ophthal¬
mia of Egypt.

4 Others of the men, who had enjoyed for a confider-
able time perfect health, being on duty the fucceed*
ing winter in that garrifon, and becoming debilitated
by expofure to cold, diarrhoea, dyfenterv, or a cafual
excefs in drinking, fuffered feverely from fore eyes,
and were frequently found to be the comrades of con¬
valescents from the ophthalmia.

4lth as ftnce been obferved in Gibraltar, that recruits
from England fuffered unufually from opbthalmy.
I have witneffed its contagious influence among the
failors and foldiers who accompanied fome blind
Invalids returning from that garrifon • and what will
appear ftill more conclufive, recruits who had never
been out of England were attacked with an opbthal¬
my on joining regiments lately returned from Egypt.

4 % Caufes afligned by the French. + Vide Mr. Edmonflon’s Pamphlet/

151

Power on the Egyptian Ophthalmia .

In his defcriptioo and explanation of the fymptoms
of the difeafe, and the divifion of it into fpecies and
varieties, the author appears too hypothetical $ as he
is, alfo, in his idea of the immediate or proximate
caufe. It is fufficient for us to ohferve, that the gene¬
ral charafler of the difeafe, as here delineated, cor-
refponds with the account given of it by Mr. Edmon-
fton, to which therefore we refer*.

The author next proceeds to enumerate the differ¬
ent modes of cure, and commences with thofe em¬
ployed by the natives of the country. Thefe we con¬
ceive to be particularly deferving of notice, as they
were probably adopted from long experience of their
good effefts, and not fuggefted by any fpeculative
notions of the proximate caufe.

4 As nature frequently effefits a cure in the early
ftages of ophthalmia, the Egyptians,’ the author ob-
ferves, 4 feldom employ any remedy previous to the ac-
cefiion of irritation and inflammation.

< The removal of the irritating matter being then
the object to be accomplifhed, if it cannot be e fie died
by frequent ablutions with rofe or plain water, they
introduce under the eye-lids a powder compofed of
foft fugar (lightly impregnated with verdigrife, or
mixed with the powder of a feed which they call
SchiJmL This fubftance excites a confiderable flow,
of tears, which carry off the accumulated matter, and
give immediate relief to the patient, hitherto diftra.&ed
with unceafing pain. The hidden eafe which this
expedient affords has attached to it the idea of a
charm ; and as the nature of it is kept in fome rneafure
a fecret, it has become a very lucrative employment
to thofe empirical jugglers that abound in Egypt.

4 One party of thefe ufe a fmall lozenge of fugar,
impregnated with verdigrife, which they ftreak acrofs
the cornea : this is denominated the Stone of the Pro -
phety and is faid to be brought from Mecca,

* See page 31 of our lad volume,

M 2

* Others

152

Power on the Egyptian

Ophthalmia ,

‘ Others pretend to a peculiar method of (having the
forehead and temples, which operation being per¬
formed contrary to the direction of the hair, feldom
fails to produce fneezing and a copious flow of tears

4 Another fet pretend to a peculiar fecret in their
method of plucking out the hairs from the Tarfi with
pincers ; whilft others content themfelves with the
whimfical expedient of fufp'ending a frnall lump of
amber or cork by a thread from the turban, which, in
hanging oppofite the eye, excites a flow of tears by
ftriki ng again A it as the patient runs or walks,

4 This curative effedt is alfo produced by forcing
a twifted leaf of tobacco up the nofe.

4 The green leaves of the plant A l Kali , which the
natives beat into a pulp with a little water, afford
a poultice which Teems to po'ffefs fpeciflc virtues ; the
advantages derived from which feem to depend in a
great meafure on its temperature, which, owing pro¬
bably to the abundant quantity of laline matter it con¬
tains, is conliderably lower than the coldeA w7ater that
can be obtained in the climate. This temperature
it is capable of preferving a long while unchanged,
at the fame time that its juice, being (lightly Aim dat¬
ing when infinuated into the eye, excites a gentle How
of tears : and thefe properties render this application
very generally ufeful.

4 When the oedematous fwelling and paralyfis of
the eye-lids continue obflinate, the natives frequently
inflidl large fcarifications on the eye-lids and the cir¬
cumjacent parts ; which, affording an egrefs to the
fluids effufed into the cellular membrane, as well* as
exciting a degree of inflammation, a cure is fome-
times obtained. This operation, however, is follow¬
ed by great deformity, and is frequently attended
with worfe confequences. They are alfo laid to
be very expert at opening different arteries and veins,
in aim oft every difeafe to which human nature is
liable j and from the innumerable inftances mentioned

153

Power on the Egyptian Ophthalmia -

fey Profper Alpinus,* in which they employ this
practice, as well as from the unaccountable partiality
they entertain for it, there is reafon to fuppofe that the
malignancy of Egyptian difeafes may be in a great
meafure attributed to this caufe.’

In the Britiili hofpitals, the antiphlogiftic plan of
cure was generally employed, but with lefs advan¬
tages than were expected from it. This induced the
author to adopt a different mode of pradlice, the
refult of which we (hall give in his own words,
though, as it evidently involves much medical hy¬
pothecs, it fhould perhaps be received with fome
degree of caution.

* Having had many opportunities of obferving the
/lender advantages that were derived from the anti-
phjogiftic mode of treating the ophthalmia of Egypt,
and that the dileafe frequently appeared rather aggra¬
vated than relieved by perfeverance in this method of
cure, I was prompted to try the effedts of a contrary
pradlice, the refult of which exceeded my molt fan-
guine expeditions.

* After the French had furrendered at Cairo, and had
marched to Alexandria, I was ordered to take charge
of an hofpital at Ghiza, to which all the ophthalmic
patients (w'ho were not able to march with the army),
amounting nearly to eight hundred, were fent. I was
affifted in this fervice by Mr. Davis, of the 26th Dra¬
goons, a gentleman whole profeffional abilities and
affiduitv were equally honourable to himfelf, and ad¬
vantageous to thofe committed to his care.

c The 8th regiment of foot were liationed in the
town ; and ophthalmia encreafed fo rapidly amongll
the healthy, whilft relapfes became fo frequent on every
premature attempt made by the convalefcents to do

‘ * Itidernque venas temporum magnorumque angulorum oculorum
jpfi in iifdem afFedionibus (ecant, & c. &c.

‘Preferumque in hemicraniis atque in antiquis ophthalmiis et lachry*
mis, pana, fcatbie palpebrarum, nydalope.

* Profp. Alp. lib. ii. p. 58/

duty.

M 3

154 Power on the Egyptian Ophthalmia .

duty, that there was not a fufficient number of men
to mount the different guards, and little hope appeared
of any amendment. The furgeon of the 89th regiment
was difeafed with ophthalmia ; and Mr. Davis, whofe
eyes had been previoufly much debilitated from a
continuance of the difeafe, as well as from the fevere
duty he had to perform, being obliged to yield alfo to
the ophthalmia, the whole of the duty devolved on me.

c During this interval, being reduced to the loweft
pollible Hate of debility, one evening, at fun-fet,
whilft looking at the diftant pyramids, 1 felt my eyes
inftantaneoufly fuffufed with a cold moift vapour, to
which i had every reafon afterwards to attribute the
difeafe. The next day the different fymptoms of
ophthalmia, as before mentioned, followed each other
in fuch rapid fucceffion, that in a few hours my eyes
became dreadfully inflamed. Having applied all the
topical remedies in general ufe without advantage,
on the third night the pain became fo intolerable, that
I was induced to try the effe£fs of opium.

‘ Having purchafed a quantity of this medicine at
Cairo in a very crude ilate, I had to regulate the
dofe by attending to its effeCts. The firft dofe pro¬
duced a very fenfible ceffation from pain, without in¬
ducing the lead difpofition to fomnolency, but rather
a degree of exhilaration, heightened of courfe by this
pleating change in my health. As thofe effects difap-
peared, the pain returned, fo that a repetition of the dofe
was found neceffary during the night, and twice or
thrice the next day, applying at the fame time the
vegetable poultice, and removing the difcharge oc~
tafionally by fy ringing.

‘ Having perfevered in this mode of cure for two
days, on the third T was enabled to perform my duty.

I prevailed on Mr. Davis (whofe eyes were fpafmodi-
cally affefted, and oedematous) to follow my example.

I he firlt dofe, as in my cafe, produced a ceffation of
pain; the fecond, repeated after an interval of five hours,
removed the contraction of the elevatores oculi ; and

GibbesV Second Treatife on the Bath Waters . 155

by occafionally repeating it, though diminifhing the
dofe as his flrength returned, he was in a few days per-
feCflv recovered. A bad diarrhoea, with which he had
been a long time troubled, was materially checked ; and
having got frequent intervals of fleep, to which he had
been a long time unaccuftomed, he was foon reftored
to perfeCt health and ftrength. It is needlefs to fay
how eager we felt to communicate to our patients the
advantages we had derived from this excellent medi-
cine, and bow happy we were to find it uniformly bene¬
ficial. The opium was adminifiered according to the
plan of cure hereafter laid down ; and it is a fa£l no lefs
furprifing than true, that in the fpace of a month from
the adoption of this remedy, we were enabled to reftore
to the army aim oft every ophthalmic patient, in a ftate
either of eonvalefcence or of perfefl health*.

4 From the admirable effects derived from opium in
this difeafe, as well as in othersdepending on debility,
and from the striking peculiarities obfervable in the
animal and vegetable productions of thefe climates,
one would be led to fuppofe, that the great Author of
life and death, who in the depth of his wifdom had
judged it proper to vifit fo large a portion of the
world with a climate fo unwholefome, and difeafes fo
calamitous and general, had at the fame time provided
their remedies; and that thefe indigenous and abund¬
ant drugs, as well as the peculiar habitudes obfervable
ifi the animal and vegetable kingdoms, were bellowed on
the natives of thefe unhealthy regions as antidotes to
the baneful influence of the clime to which the fame
' wifdom bad expofed them/

- - - - * - - - - - ■ - - - : - * - - - - - f - .. — I .T1-,,1**- ■■ ■ - -■ ■ - ■ — ^

Art. XVII. A Second Treatife on the Bath Waters 9
comprehending their Medicinal Powers ingeneral , and
particularly as they relate to the Cure of Dyfpepjia ,
Gout , Bhcumatifm, Jaundice and Liver Complaints ,
Chlorq/iSy cutaneous Eruptions , Palfy , & (c. Ec. By

c * One patient, a private of the 18th regiment of foot, died of the
he&ic fever already deferibed/

M 4 George *

156 GibbesT Second Treatife on the Bath Waters .

George Smith Gibbes, M.D.F.R S. <kc. 12mo.*
120 pages. London, 1803. Robinsons.

IN his former treatife on the fubjeSI, * the author
inveftigated with confiderable accuracy and minute-
nefs the chemical properties of the Bath waters : in
the prefent, he proceeds to an examination of their
medicinal powers, and their effects in various difeafed
ftates . of the fyftem. The difcovery of truth here,
however, is a more arduous talk. The faffs adduced
are too loofe and general to claim the title of experi¬
ments, and the reafoning and application confequently
vague and unfatisfaffory. The efficacy of the Bath
waters, as derivable from their peculiar impregnation,
has been queffioned by many obfervant and candid
practitioners j and the author himfelf admits, that
T reafoning a priori from the impregnation difcoverable
in them by chemical agents, we certainly fhould
not be led to fufpeft that they would have any great
effefl on the human frame yet he rather inconAft-

^ j

ently adds, that in his opinion “ we are authorized in
attributing their effects to thofe fubffances in them
with which chemiffry has made us acquainted.'’ But
though the modus agendi of the Bath waters ds a fub-
jeft of difpute among pbyficians, and is likely to
remain fo, their good effefls in numerous cafes of
difeafe are admitted on all hands ; and it is of
importance to inveftigut-e their utility. We could
with, however, to fee this done on the Ample bafis of
experience and obfer.vation,- and free from the influ¬
ence of all hypothetical reafoning. In this point
of view, the prefent effay is far inferior to the Ample
recital of fads publiihed formerly bv Dr. Falconer,
containing a. report of cafes from the regiffers of
the Bath hofpital. In Dr. G.’s work, though he
profeffes to difcard all theory, yet it is evident that he
advances no hep without it ; as might be eafily prov¬
ed by a reference to any one of the difeafes of which
he treats. Thus, when he obferves (p. 35 ) that in fome

. ' * A brief account of this will be found in our 7th vol. p. 379.

f - cafes

Gibbes ys Second Treatife on the Bath Waters . 15T

cafes he has found advantage from the joint exhibi¬
tion of iron with the water, and that by thus increaff
ing the quantity of iron, the patient acquires more
Jirength ; — when he explains (p. 44) the occafional
good effeds of warm bathing and bark in acute as well
as chronic rheumatifm, by iuppofmg that ‘ this difeafe
in mod of its ftages is a difeafe of debility /—and far¬
ther, when he obferves ‘ that the very liimulant and
naufeous remedies which have been recommended in
this diforder do mifchief in as far as they injure the
powers of the flomach and pall the appetite;’ — when
he affigns vifcidity of the bile as a caufe of jaundice,
and attempts to give the diagnoiiic fymptoms of luch
a caufe -when he afferts, that ‘ the application of
warmth, by relaxing the galbduQs, is attended with
very good effects,’ and that ‘ the Bath waters are in this
refpedt very ferviceable ; for, as they do not leave
fo much permanent debility as ordinary hot water,
and yet caufe, during their exhibition, the fame relax¬
ation, they are particularly of fervice in attaining this
mechanical effect/ &c. — it is evident he is guided by
much hypothetical reafoning, not always of the moffi
co no lu live or fat is factory kind. Indeed, throughout
the whole, the author appears rather in the light of an
advocate, than as a cautious and juftly fceptical inquirer-
The clifeafes in which the efficacy of the Bath
waters may be confrdered as eftabliffied, in whatever
way they are imagined to aft, are enumerated in the
title page ; the particular cautions and exceptions
neceffary to be attended to in practice are fufficient-
Iv explained in the body of the work : they are,
of courfe, chiefly interefting to pra&itioncrs rdident
at the Bath. ‘The general effedls upon the conftitu-
tion/ the author obferves, ‘ are fuch as we commonly
fee arife from medicines of the tonic and Simulating
kind. A 31 the medicinal preparations of Iron produce
fomewhat fimilar effects to thofe ariling from the ufe
of the Bath waters. Like ail other medicines, tbev
produce different effects upon different confutations,
although each may be in a ftate of health. The va¬
riety of conftitution, and the facility with which fame

important

158 GibbesV Second Treatife on the Bath Waters ;

important organs are aflfeBed in fume habits, confti-
tute varieties in the effefts of the fame medicine. A
violent head ache, oppreffion at the ftomach, third and
drynefs of the tongue, giddinefs and general heat over
the fyftem, are the fymptoms thefe waters produce
when they difagree. When, on the contrary, how*-
ever, they produce a cheerfulnefs, do not opprefs the
ftomach, caufe no head ache, and pafs off readily by
urine, then they agree. Many who have rafhjy taken
thefe waters have foon complained of vertigo, and
great pain in the head ; and indances are not want¬
ing \yhere their improper exhibition has produced
apoplexy and death. Like fteel medicines, they have
a peculiar aclion on the heart and arteries, caufe a
greater fulnefs and frequency of the pulfe, and in a
particular manner determine the blood to the head.
Although there are fome peculiarities in the compac¬
tion of the Bath waters which effentially contribute to
moderate the effects and reftrain the aBion of the iron
they contain, by preventing them from loading the
ftomach, yet, like that metal given in our officinal pre¬
parations, they produce general good effects in weak,
lax, and pale habits, and in chronical diforders pro¬
ceeding from languor and debility. In cacheBic and
hypochondriacal patients they (Lengthen the ftomach
and the organs which ferve for the digeftion of the
food, and thereby give {Length to the whole fyftem.
They quicken the circulation, and raife the pulfe; and
they promote when they are deficient, and reftrain
when immoderate, the perfpiration, wine, and uterine
difcharges. By the fame (Lengthening power where¬
by they promote deficient and reftrain redundant dift
charges, where the fuppreffion or flux arifes from
relaxation and debility, they on the other hand increafe
fluxes and confirm obfiruBions when they proceed
from tenfton, rigidity, or plethora, in the fyftem.
They produce in plethoric habits, where the circula¬
tion is quick, and where there is fulnefs, heavinefs,
dulnefs, heats, and fluftiings, which would extend to

inflammatory

GibbesV Seco?id Treatife on the Bath Waters . 1 59

inflammatory fevers, or to ruptures in fome of the over*
dift ended veflfels. They therefore increafe or produce
adtive hemorrhages, and are found upon all occafions
to aggravate fevers attended with local inflammations.
They produce heat in the fydera, and when improper¬
ly ad minitiered they diminifh the natural fecretions of
the body. They induce coflivenefs, and the infehfible
perfpiration is checked by them. Although they thus
aggravate the fyrnptoms of certain diforders, and are
highly detrimental in certain fates of the human con-
ffitution, in others their qualities are highly proper, and
they prove of the mod beneficial fervice.

‘ In relaxed habits the arterial fyflem is invigorated,
and the powers of the flomach refrored by their Life,
The fecretions which have been preternatural ly dif-
charged are redrained, and a proper degree of tone
edabiitlied. The pallid and relaxed cuticle aflfumes
the ruddy hue of health, and a firmnefs ot fibre, and
eladicity of mufcle, is edabiitlied throughout the
fydem. Thefe effects are obferved to follow their ufe
in leucophlegmatic habits; they are in fhort peculiarly
contraindicated in all inflammatory dates: but in. all
emaciated, nervous, and leucophlegmatic habits, their
exhibition is attended with the highed advantage.
The Bath waters are particularly dangerous in com¬
plaints of the lungs and liver, efpecially where there
is any tendency to inflammation ; and where there is
hectic fever from difeafes of thefe organs, they are
found to produce an aggravation ot all the didreffing
fyrnptoms.

c It has been found that the ufe of the Bath waters
has fometimes caufed an irritation in the mucous
glands of the urethra, thereby producing a difc barge
which has in fome indances been midaken for gonor-
rhcsad

Towards the conclufion of his treatife, the author
takes occaflon to make a few animadverfions on the,
antiphlogidic or new chemical theory of Layoifier,

with

160 Gibbers Second Treatife on the Bath Waters .

with which he is altogether diflatisfied. The late
experiments in galvanifm, indeed, it mufi be allowed,
have fhaken much of this do&rine, which appears in¬
adequate to the explanation of many important phe¬
nomena. Some late fafts publithed by Carradori give
additional force to Dr. G.’s opinions on the fubjeCh
‘Dr. Carradori mentions/ Dr. G. obferves, ‘ that it
is known from the experiments of Vauquelin that vi¬
negar will not calcine lead, unlefs it be in contadl
with the air. A piece of lead totally immerfed in
vinegar will not calcine. He found, however, that
when two pieces of lead were thus placed in throng,
vinegar at the ditiance of about an inch afunder, and
thefe pieces of lead touched the two extremities of
the pile of Volta, conftruCted with forty pairs of plates
of zinc and filver, the piece of lead which touched the
.zinc fide of the pile was ftrongly calcined. From this
experiment it is evident that the vinegar does not
calcine the lead, fince no calcination takes place when
the lead is plunged into it; neither could the oxygene
come from the atmofphere, fince the accefs of the air
is prevented. We muff therefore conclude that in this
inftance calcination has taken place without the addi¬
tion of oxygene. Some principle, however, does come
from the end of the pile which caufes the calcination of
the lead : it is this principle, I contend, which appears
to be negative electricity from the zinc end, and that
from the filver end of the pile, which is pohtive elec¬
tricity, combining with the water, that give it aeriform
elafiicity, and form hydrogenous and oxygenous
gafes, of which oxygene and hydrogene have not been
proved to be the bafes. Water feems as an element
to conflitute the ponderable part of thefe two airs, and
the fpecific differences between them appear to arife
from thofe two Hates of galvanifm or electricity which
give elaftic aeriform fluidity to their common bafis,
water. When by combuflion water is again produc¬
ed, and thefe airs lofe their aeriform fluidity,. it. appears
that thefe two frates of galvanifm or electricity join.

Gibbes 's Second Treatife on the Bath Waters 161

to form ordinary fire. It was, therefore, from thefe con-
fide rations that I concluded a paper which was read at
the Royal Society with thefe remarks: thatoxygene and
hydrogene, as the peculiar bafes of oxygene and hydro¬
gene gafes, appeared to be non-entities; that the mat¬
ter of heat was not a fun pie principle; that water
was not proved to be a compound ; and that the theory
of the French chemids did not confequently explain
the phenomena prefented by the pile of Volta. The
old philofopher Heraclitus gave a more confident idea
when he 'faid — ‘c nv^og ^xvalog usqi ymtrig, nca cteqo; Savalo?
Vdc&h ysvsa ’is”7

The following is a brief datement of the opinions
of Dr. G. on this fubjedf : they are evidently con-
clufions drawn by himfelf and others from the late
experiments in gaivanifm.

The terms oxygene and hydrogene are, like fome
others ufed by naturalids, names applied to unknown
caufes of well-known effe&s. If thefe terms were
underdood to ftand for nothing more than a power,
exifting fomewhere, of producing well-defined effects
(as the term magnetifm, &c.). Dr. G. would not be
found to differ from M. Lavoifier: he would only
fiieged to what known agents certain refults might be
attributed. Oxygene and pontive eledlricity might
be convertible terms ; but M. Lavoifier affumes the
exidence of two fubdances which cannot be exhibit*
ed to any ot our fenfes, by way of explaining pheno¬
mena which are more Amply explicable by refer¬
ence to agents, the exidence of which is demondrable
to our fenfes, and which are clearly adequate to the
production of every effecl. Lavoifier attributes
weight to oxygene, and calls it the ponderable bads
of oxygene gas. Dr. G. conceives himfelf warrant¬
ed by experiment to fay, that oxygene gas is produced
by the union of pofitive electricity with water, and
hydrogene gas by the union of negative electricity
with water; and that water uniting in different pro¬
portions with the two electricities, is the ponderable
part of the eladic fluids. It is evident, he obferves,

' that

162 Gibbesh Second Treatife on the Bath Waters .

that the wire from the galvanic pile or trough, which
is found to be pofitively eleflrifled, produces oxygene
gas when immerfed in water the negative wire, in
fimilar circumftances, produces hydrogene gas. By
the pofitive electricity, metals are oxidated, and blue
vegetable colours are reddened. The acidifying
efie£i of eleftric commotions in the atmofphere on
weak fermented liquors is wrel 1 known. By the ne¬
gative electricity, the vegetable blue is reftored, and
the oxidated metal revived.

Thefe circumftances, among ft others, lead to the
eonclufton, that when hydrogene gas is produced by
the affufion 01 water on red-hot metal, and the metal
is at the fame time oxidated, a decompofitiorr of fire
rather than of water has taken place : that the hot
metal has parted with negative eleftricity, which,
uniting with a fmall portion of the water, has form¬
ed hydrogene gas : that a greater proportion of the wa¬
ter has united with the poiitive electricity, and entered
as oxygene gas into combination with the metal.
When the two gafes are inflamed together, the fpark
attracts to itfelf, in due proportions, the two electrici¬
ties contained in the two gafes, which unite with
eXplofion, arid produce Are. The water with which
they were before combined is of courfe depofited.

It is well known, that each of the electricities repels
its like, and aitraCts its oppolite. The two electricities
are found to re fide in almoft all fubftances; perhaps
blended indifferent proportions in all folids and liquids.
It is, however, probable, that in the two uniform
fluids the electricities are almoft, or entirely, dif-
tinft. Inflammable fubftances burn in oxygene gas,
not in hydrogene gas (at leaft not in the latter, ex¬
cept under very peculiar circumftances. In Accums
Chemiftry, an experiment is mentioned, in which a
mixture of iulphur and copper filings was inflamed
both in hydrogene gas and in carbonic acid gas). But
the reafon why, generally fpeaking, combuftion may
be effected in the former and not in the latter, is.

Dr.

163

LettfomV Appeal , Stic.

Dr. G. thinks, no doubt, owing to the prevalence of
negative electricity in all inflammable fubftances.
Thus, when a red-hot metal is oxidated by the affu-
fioii of water, the quantity of hydrogene gas is enor-
moufly difproportionate to that of oxvgene gas which
may be forced from the oxide. Neither of the gafes
can be inflamed feparately, becaufe fire depends on
the union of the two electricities And fuch union
cannot be effeCted unlefs both are prefent in due
proportion.

The feparate electricities appear to have fome pro¬
perties which they no longer pofTefs in their united
Hate. They conftitute the permanent elafticity of
the aeriform fluids, which are incompreffible by cold*
owing probably to a more perfect union with the
water than takes place between fire and wrater, when
expanded as a liquid, or in the form of vapour.

Thefe opinions, fuggefted by the late experiments
in galvanifm, of which, indeed, the chief have been al¬
ready inculcated by the authors ofthofe experiments, tal¬
ly in great meafure with the doClrines held by the
celebrated Prieftley, due allowance being made for the
change of terms. It is well known that this ohilofo-
pher confiders water as the bails of all the gales, and
the appearance of this fluid during the combuflion of
hydrogene and oxygene as a reparation, and not as a
new production.

Art. XVI IT An Appeal addrejjed to the calm
Reflection of the Authors of the Critic at Review , on,
1. Abujive Language. 2. Ambiguity and Em bar-
rajfment . 3, Efpionnage and Detraction. 4. The

Jennerian Difcovery : with Letters to the Authors
of the Monthly Review and Rntijh Critic. By
John Coakley Lettsom, M.D ., Stic. 8vo., 50
Pages. London, 1803. Mawman.

164 Wilkinion on the Cor ter Salic is Latif olios *

V N * ' • / '

IT hardly falls within oor province to notice works
of merely a controversial nature, except in fo far
as they involve queftions of fcience, which can fcarcely
be faid of the pamphlet before us. In his Apology
(noticed in our lad), the author, with becoming fpirit,
but in calm and temperate language, vindicated him-
felf from afperlions of a very illiberal kind, which had
been made on him by the authors of the Critical Re*
view . In their review of the Apology, they have again
returned to the charge, but in a manner wholly un-
juftifiable in literary warfare. The attack has been
in the high eft degree perfonal and illiberal, as it will
be felt to be unfounded by all thofe to whom the
author’s charaSier is known. It has been repelled,
however, with effedl, and to the difgrace of the
authors.

Art. XIX. Experiments and Obfervations on the
Cortex Salicis La f if dice , or Broad-leafed -Willow
Bark ; illujirated by a coloured Plate . Lnterfperf
ed with general Obfervations and Remarks on the
different Species of the Cinchona , 8Cc. : general
Hijiory and prpgrejfive Introduction of the Salix
Latifolice ; with a Variety of Experiments, tending
to elucidate its Properties. Illujirated by Cafe's cle-
monjirating its Juperior Efficacy above the Cinchona
in various Difeajes , more particulafly that Branch
of the Healing Art termed Medical Surgery. By
G. Wilkinson, Surgeon , of Sunderland. 8vo.,
118 pages, price 4s 6d. London, 1803, Long¬
man and Rees.

HE fpecies or varieties of the willow which have
JL been noticed by botanical writers are very nu¬
merous, and it is. probable that the bark of all of
them poffeffes properties in many refpecls fimijar. In
1763, Mr. Stone, an Englifti clergyman, prefentecl a

paper

Wilkin Ton on the Cortex Salicis Latifoli# . 166

paper to the Royal Society, on the beneficial effects
of the fa lit alba , or white willow, in agues and isv
termittent fevers ; and Dr. Cullen, on this authority,
and from the fenfible qualities it poffeffes, recommends
it, in his Materia M<dica, as a fubftitute tor the
cinchona. In the year 1792, Mr. James* furgeon, qf
Hoddefon, in Hertfordihire, pubiithed a pamphlet en~
titled, Obfervations on a particular Species qf Wil oiq,
in which he ftronglv recommends the falix laf (folia,
or caprta , broad-leafed willow bark, in cafes where
the cinchona is ufuailv employed ; and in 1798, Mr,
White, apothecary to the Bath City Infirmary, gave
his decided teftimony to its virtues, in a pamphlet
which he printed on the fubje£t*. To thefe may be
added the treatife before us3 the author of which is
not at all behind hand in his encomiums on the re¬
medy in queflion.

The botanical defcription of this fpecies is as fol¬
lows :

<€ Foliis ellipticis fubferratis, rugofis, fupra villofis
fubtus tomentofis.

“ Salix latifolia rotunda. Ban Syn., 449.

<s Salix foliis ovatis rugofis fubtus tomentofis un«
datis fuperne denticulatis.” Linn .

This fpecies of falix may be diftinguifhed by the
fhape of its leaves from all others, except the falix
pentandra, or bay-leafed willow. But the leaves of
the latter are fmooth and lhining, and of a deeper
green ; nor have they the downy appearance on the
under furface, which is fo remarkable in the falix
caprea .

Its fenfible qualities are thus defcribed by the au¬
thor. — ><c This bark evinces to the tafre a confiderable
degree of aftringency, and, when recently gathered,
forxie bitternefs; but the latter goes off almoft entirely
when dried. It differs much from other willowy
fuch as the falix alba and Jalix pentandra , or bay-

* Ohfemalions and Experiments on the Broad leafed }Villo<w Bark ,
noticed in the 5th volume of our Review,, page 4 67.

yqi. x. N leafed

166 Wilkinfon on the Cortex Salicis Latifolhe .

leafed willow, which are more intenfe in bitternefs*
&nd infinitely lefs in aftringency. The vegetable I
have found mod to refemble it, is the radix tormen -
till#, which has nearly the fame tafte ; but, from fe-
veral experiments hereafter to be related, I have
found it much ftronger in its aftringency.

cc The ftrong decoclion of this bark refembles port
wine in colour, for which, by feveral perfons who
have feen it in vials, it has been miftaken. I fhould
have remarked, that the bark, when dry, generally
becomes of a reddifh nifty colour on its interior fun
face, fomewbat like cinnamon ; and, when long kept,
bears fome refemblance to the red Peruvian bark :
but fome pieces will be remarkably pale. This dif¬
ference of colour, I am of opinion, proceeds from its
being gathered late in the feafon : its exterior furface
then is not much altered in its colour from the recent¬
ly gathered bark. It may not be here unneceffary to
remark, that thofe perfons who are employed by gen¬
tlemen to collect the bark fhould be enjoined to bring
with them a branch of the tree, with its leaves, &c.
This I have found neceffary, as I have had it brought
home mixed with the bark of th efalix pentandra. It
muft alfo be recollected, that the latter not only ap¬
pears to be of a darker green colour on its exterior
furface, but is in a recent, as well as dry ftate, of a
pale or whitifh colour on its interior furface, not
fhewing the dark rufty colour of th efalix caprea , and,
as has already been remarked, is more bitter and much
lefs aftringent.'’

The decoCtion is the form to which Mr. Wilkinfon
gives the preference: one ounce and a half of the dried
and pounded bark boiled for a quarter of an hour in
two pints of foft water. Of this the ordinary dofe is two
or three large fpoonfulls, given three or four times a
day.

A confiderable number of experiments are detailed,
made for the purpofe of afcertaining the chemical and
antifeptic properties of the willow-bark, in comparifon

with

Wifkinfon on the Cortex Salicis Latifolicc . 167

with feveral other tonic and adringent fubdances :
.be following is given as the general refult.

c 1. That the falix potteries the adringent or tan -
'ting principle more largely than any of the barks
ubjePted to the fame experiments, the tormentil ex¬
cepted.

* 2. That vegetables containing the adringent prin¬
ciple, or tan, alfo polfefs the gallic acid , which is pre¬
cipitated by the fulphat of iron in the form of a black
foecula, even after the tan is extracted.

4 3. That thefe principles, viz. tan and gallic acid ,
are not invariably united in the fame fubdances, as
many which contain the latter do not poffefs the
:ormer.

4 4. That the gallic acid feems to be more abun¬
dant in thofe fubftances which poffefs tan, than in
:hofe which do not *, and vice verja .

4 5. That fulphat of iron is not a certain tejl to
afcertain the exiftence of adringency* or tan, however
ufeful it mav be to detefl the gallic acid .

£ 6 That although animal gelatin appears hither¬
to to be the mod accurate tejl to difcover tan, yet
it mud be allowed, that a portion of the gallic acid
remains combined with the precipitate, or leather,
even after the extraPlion of the tan from its foiution.

4 7. That the deceptions of oak, falix, and tor-
mentil, are much dronger, or, at lead, give out more
tan than their warm or cold infufions.

4 8 That rhe red, common, and yellow barks, give
out more tan in warm infufions than cold, or in
deceptions.

4 9 That nitric acid feems to aft more powerfully
on vegetables containing tan , by caufing a more copious
precipitation of their contents, than the fulphuric o t
muriatic acids.

4 10. That water is a more powerful folvent for
extracting the medicinal properties of the falix, and
other vegetables containing adringency or tan, than
rePtified fpirit, or any other menftruum yet difeovered.

JN 2 4 1 1 . That

168 Dewar on I) iarrhce a and Byfenterf .

* 11. That the antifeptic property, or power of
correfting, or refilling, the putrefa&ion of animal
fubftances, feems to prevail in vegetables pofteffing
the largeft portion of tan, is proved by the tormentil,
falix, oak, and yellow barks ; the red, common, and
anguftura barks being lefs antifeptic,

€ 12. That the opinion which has hitherto ob¬
tained, that the bitternefs contained in vegetables
was the antifeptic principle, appears not well found¬
ed, as may be feen by the laft experiments $ the ca¬
momile and anguftura haying been oppofed as ex¬
ceptions, but were found to fall fhort of thofe pof~
felling the tanning principle.'

Sixteen cafes of difeafe are then given, in which,
this bark was employed with decided advantage, and
from which the author does not hefitate to affign
to it virtues greatly fuperior to thofe of the cinchona.
This fuperiority, however, it fhould be obferved, is
in fome degree inferred { rom chemical qualities; a
mode of judging which requires to be received with
great caution. It is doubtlefs a remedy of confidera-
ble efficacy, and is ftrongly recommended by its cheap-
nefs and the facility of acquiring it. It appears to be
ufeful in moft cafes where the cinchona or Peruvian
bark is ufually reforted to.

Art. XX. Observations on Diarrhoea and Dyfentery,
as thofe Difeafes appeared in the Britijh Army ,
during the Campaign in Egypt, in 1801 : to which
are prefixed, a Defcription of the Climate of Egypt ,
and a Sketch of the Medical Hijlory of the Cam¬
paign. By Henry Dewar, late Ajfiftant Sur¬
geon to the Thirtieth or Cambridge Regiment of
Foot. 8 vo., 161 pages, price 4s. London, 1803,
Murray.

FROM

Dewar on Diarrhea and Dyfentery. 169

FROM the defcription here given, the diarrhoea and
dyfentery which prevailed to a condderable de¬
gree in the army during their day in Egypt do not
fee-m materially to have differed, either in their fymp-
toms or mode of cure, from the fame difeafes as they
have been defcribed by other writers. Yet we may
obferve, that the hiftory of the fymptoms and caufes is
faithfully and accurately given, and a very judicious
edimate and employment made of the remedies in or¬
dinary ufe in fuch cafes. The author has no new
fpecifics to recommend, nor does he bewilder him-
felf, or wade the time of his reader, in doubtful and
generally ufelefs fpeculations and hypothefes.

A concife but intereding fxetch of the medical hif¬
tory of Egypt is prefixed to the work. The general
temperature of this country is very high, in propor¬
tion to its latitude, which extends from 30° 21' to
23° N. The range of the thermometer appears to be
from the 35th to the 105th. degree of Fahrenheit’s
fcale.

The mod Angular circumdance,” the author ob¬
ferve s, “ in the meteorology of Egypt, is, that rain is
aimed unknown in its interior parts. Dew alfo*
excepting near the fea-coaft, is much lefs copious than
in other hot countries. The fertility of the fields foie-
ly depends on the annual overflowing of the Nile.
During the dimmer months, however, there is very
little marfhy ground, except what is kept artificially
mold for the production of rice. At that time, the
foil, in hardnefs, refembles one continued rock, and
is fidured every where with deep chinks. In feme
places, when affes and horfes are driven along, their
feet are entangled in thefe chinks at every dep, and
feem in imminent danger of being broken. When
we encamped in the Delta, the foil was fo hard, that
it was impofdbie to drive a tent-pin into it, except by
fixing it in one of the openings ^ and the detached
clods, lying around, were hard enough to be ufed as

mallets, " i s-

N 3 ^.Hot

175 Dewar on Diarrhoea and Dyfentery .

“ Hot countries cannot be confidered in general a&
more unfavourable to the population of the human
race, or the vigour of the conllitution, than the cold and
temperate. Egypt is as well peopled, in proportion
to the ftate of its induflry and refources, as moft other
countries. The children have a delicate, ric^etty ap¬
pearance ; but, as life advances, their conftitutions ac¬
quire a firmer call. Savary was never more mifiaken
than when he faid that c effeminacy is born with the

Egyptian, grows up with him as he advances in life,
and follows him to the tomb.’ This character is
confined to a few of the wealthy inhabitants of the
cities. The Mamelukes are addicted to luxury ; but
their bodies are rebuff, and capable of wonderful
feats of ffrength, and their minds are warlike and un¬
daunted. The felahs, or peafantry, are rendered a
cowardly race, from being habitualh fubjedled to the
yoke of military defpotifm, and from their habits of
indultry being repugnant to the cultivation of the art
of war; but their conffitutions are hardy. Under a
burning fun, and with their heads uncovered, they
perform very long journeys, and carry incredible
burdens, without complaining of fatigue. The Be¬
douins, or inhabitants of the neighbouring deferts, are
alfo a hardy race, capable of undergoing great priva¬
tions, and perfevering in vigorous exertions, and are
the farthell pofbble removed from any thing like a
ffate of luxury or effeminacy. The enervating in¬
fluence of the climate, therefore, is, with refpedf to
the natives, a mere chimera.

<c Egypt is lefs expofed than mod other fiat coun¬
tries, in high latitudes, to bilious fevers of the inter¬
mittent and remittent kind, as it is free from thofe
marfhy miafmata which lerve to generate and to che-
rilh the contagion of thefe difeafes. Intermittent
fevers only prevail during the decreafe of the Nile,
in houfes furrounded with flagnant water. At
other feafons they are confined to places in the neigh¬
bourhood of extenfive rice-grounds, fuch as the town

171

Dewar on Diarrhoea and Dyfentery .

©f Damietta. This advantage, however, is more than
counterbalanced by the dirty mode of living that ge¬
nerally prevails. The people feldom wadi their
clothes, and never fliift them on going to bed. The
offals of butchers’ ftalls are left in the open ftreets,
where they perpetually fpread putrefaftion and poifon
in the atmofphere. The fun would in fome degree
obviate this mifchief, by drying them into hardnefs ;
but after they accumulate in the ftreets, they are
thrown into the river or the fea, where they not only
pollute the water, but, lying juft within water-mark,
are foaked with that quantity of moifture which is fuf-
ficient to keep the putrefaftive fermentation in its
moft a£tive ftate, and which allows them to diffemi-
nate their effluvia in the air. When a mortality takes
place among the camels and afl'es, fo indolent is the
police, that the carcaffes are fuffered to lie expofed in
the open fields, to the annoyance and danger of the
whole country. To want of cleanlinefs we muft
chiefly afcribe the power of that fcourge of Egypt,
and of the whole Turkifh empire, the plague.

“ Elephantiafis and leprofy are frequent difeafes in
Egypt. Obftru&ions in the liver and dropfies are
ftill more frequent. Ophthalmia is a difeafe endemic
in the country. The Egyptians feem to have a great
degree offtrength in the alimentary canal, as they are
difficult to be operated on by medicines. Dofes
of an emetic or of a purgative, which would prove
highly draftic to an European conftitution, pafs over
their ftomachs without effe6t, Sonnini fays, that
eight grains of tartar emetic produced no more than
a flight retching. There is, however, in fome parts
of Egypt, an obftinate tendency to difeafed adftion in
the inteftines, in advanced age. Servavefl obferves,
that the old men in Damietta generally die of
dvfe nteries.

“'The cflrnate of Egypt proves extremely enervating
to ftrangers. Indeed, all hot climates have this
on the natives of colder ones \ an effeff, how-

N 4 ever.

172 Deivat on Diarrhea and Dyfcntery .

ever, which is varied by many nice circumftances Tit
the nature of each climate, and in the previous habits
of thofe who are expofed to it. Among other curious
q ft ions on the lubje6t, well worthy of inveftiga-
tion, it might be inquired, how far it is necefTary that
a man’s progenitors, as well as himfelf, fhould be na¬
tives of a particular climate, or one fimilar to it, in
order that his conititution may be fully adapted to it.
It is mentioned by Lord Kaimes, in his Sketches of the
Hiftorv of Man, and by fame travellers, that, in India,
the children of the Dutch, and other Europeans,
though brought there at the earliefi age, or born in
the country, are generally difiinguifhed by a peculiar
feeblenefs, both of mind and body, which, in the
courfe of two or three generations, inftead of diminifh-
ing, continues to increafe. From this it would ap¬
pear, that the refldence of a great number of fuccef-
five generations is necefTary, to bring men's confuta¬
tions round to that ffate in which they will enjoy
good health in a climate very different from that of
their ancefiors. But, on a more extenfive invefiigation
of the Hiflory of Man, this might perhaps not be found
applicable to all changes of climate, either from a
low to a high temperature, or the contrary, but de¬
pending on a combination of other particularities. In
this refpeft. there is fomething very remarkable in the
climate ot Egypt. There are fome deferiptions of
foreigners whole health is not impaired by a refidence
in that country, who yet become miferably debilitated
in their powers of procreation. The Mamelukes,
who are chiefly Circaffians, are very healthy, and mar¬
ried to healthy women from their own country ; but
they have very few children that arrive at mature age,
and their numbers are onH kept up by annual impor¬
tations of flaves. The Turks, alfo, who fettle in the
country, foon dwindle away.

“ But the climate of Egypt exerted its influence in a
more confpicuous manner on the French and Britifh
foldiers, by rapidly debilitating their confutations,

* and

Dewar on Diarrhoea and Dyfenlery, ITS

and thinning their numbers;, Unaccuflomed to the
heat of fuch a climate, they felt it, on their firft arrival,
extremely bpprelTive. This inconvenience was, indeed,
eafily furmounted by a little fortitude. It was the
fubfequent effect of a longer, re tide nee in the country that
proved ferioufly injurious. The confiitution gradual¬
ly declined, became more unfit for exertion, and more
open to the attacks of difeafe. When the head was
for a little time uncovered under the rays of the fun, a
coup de foleiU in a greater or fmaller degree, was the
general con feq uence. Where the contagion of the
plague prevailed, it found fuch fubjedls very fufeep-
tibie of its influence ; and when the exciting caufes of
fevers, bowel complaints, or ophthalmia, operated,
they did not fail to make inroads on the fmall portion
of Axength which fuch confiitutions retained. The
heat is more intenfe in Egypt than in in oft other coun¬
tries of the fame latitude, on account of thofevaft de-
ferts of heated fand by which it is hemmed in, and the
want of thofe occaflonal fhowers bv which other
countries are refrefhed. Hence it becomes hotter and
more unhealthy as we leave the fea coaft, and pene¬
trate towards Cairo, where the deferts approach near¬
er on both (ides, and the breezes from the fea, having
traverfed a conliderable extent of country, are depriv¬
ed of their coolnefs. But the Saide, which is of a
higher latitude, more confined by hot deferts, and
equally deprived of rain, is even more healthy than
the Delta, both to natives and to foreigners. Whether
it is more or lefs favourable to the propagation of
their offspring, is a queftion on which my information
is too confined to enable me to decide.3’

The importance of warm cloathing, both in the pre¬
vention and cure of bowel complaints, is ftronglv in-
fifled on. It isobferved, that it the patient only wears
his ordinary cloathing, he will receive comparatively
little benefit from any medicine. He wiii be expofed
to irritations in the bowels from every breath of wind,

and

174 ' Dewar on Diarrhoea and Dyfentery,

and the gripings will continue, or become more fevere*
In this article the prefent pra&ice of phyficians is too fu«
perficial. Warmth is not a fecondary object : it is the
very firft that fhould be thought of. The good effeCts
of a flannel drefs, and the particular mode of applying
it, are thus minutely and properly defcribed.

Four or five folds of fine flannel, or a large piece
of thick fleecy hofiery, ought to be laid over
the abdomen, and, over this, a flannel bandage
fhould be bound rather tight, and in a uniform
manner, from the groin nearly to the arm-pits
and back again. This mode of applying, or rather of
confining, a certain degree of heat over that part of the
body which is the feat of difeafe, is to be perlifted
in as long as the difeafe continues. When begun
early, and well attended to, not neglecting the ufual
collateral means, it feldom fails to efleCt a cure. In
whatever ftage it is begun, with the exception of the
very lafl, it produces a fpeedv amelioration of the
fymptoms, and cures many dyfenteries that would
otherwife be bopelefs. It aCts partly on the fame prim
cipleas the tepid bath, which is one of the belt remedies
for inflammatory difeafes attended with flight but con-
flant internal pain, and proceeding from cold* The
flannel bandgge pofleffes all its virtues, and is free
from its disadvantages. The artificial bath,unlefs regm
jated by a thermometer, may be given too warm, and
produce fuch perforation as will bring on an alarming
increafe of debility. It gradually cools, and requires
frequent additions of warm water, which break the
formity of its temperature. That bath cannot be
continued for fo great a length of time as this difeafe
requires. It would tire out a man’s patience, and
interfere with the common avocations of life. But,
by wearing flannel in the manner now defcribed, the
patient carries conftantly along with him a bath of
the heft temperature, invariable in its heat; one which
will, on no occafion, weaken him by profufe perfpira-
tion; which will not interrupt him in his eating, fleeping,
or amufements; and which, beingnever laid afide tillit is

Dewar on Diarrhoea and Dyfentery . 175

on longer neceffary, cannot expofe him to the effects of
cold by a change of temperature.

“ The immediate effects of this fw a things are, 1. The
removal of that local torpor of the abdomen under
which a dyfenteric patient often labours. Before its
application, he feels as if he had no bowels ; but when
it is applied, the preffare which it makes reftores over
the whole abdomen - thofe lenfations which were
deficient. 2 It ooviates rawnefs and griping. Be¬
fore applying it, the torpor which ex ills in the bowels
is only interrupted by occafional gnawing fenfations,
whit h, on going off, leave him more torpid than before.
The flannel bandage, by preventing thole impreffions
of cold which form the chief caufe of this uneafinefs,
does not fail to correct it. 3. It removes dejection
and languor. The patient foon feels himfelf invigo¬
rated, and better fitted to relifh the enjoyments of
life. 4. Lt corrects that dyfpnoea which is fo often
the confequence of dyfenteric debility. The fupport
which it gives to the atfion of the abdominal mufcles,
and confequently of the diaphragm, enables the pa¬
tient to refpire with much lefs fatigue. This effect
is experienced on the fir ft application of the bandage;
but if very tight, it will in a little time create a different
fort of dyfpnoea, of a lefs languid but more ftifiingna-
ture, by preventing the full expanfion of the lungs.
In this cafe it muft be made a little eafier. The ulti¬
mate good effects of the flannel bandage are, an in-
creafe of general ftrength, and a healing procefs in the
inteftines, proceeding from an improved ftate of fenfa-
tion in thofe organs. Its good effects ought to be
experienced very loon after it is applied. Ifj in two
or three days it fhould produce no change, we muff
conclude either that the fymptoms proceed from fuch
a fixed ftate of difeafe as requires other powerful reme¬
dies, or that the difeafe differs from the greater part
of chronic dyfenteries, which certainly owe their con¬
tinuance and progrefs in a great meafure to hurtful
alternations of temperature.

When

176 Dewar on Diarrhea and TXyfentery .

“ When the bandage is firil applied, much of itsr
efficacy arifes from its preflure. Preffure, even with
the palm of the hand, often gives a temporary relief to
the bowels. But after it has been continued for a
week or a fortnight, the preffure is fometimes of lefs
ferviee, and may be diminifhed. In fome old dyfen-
terjes the bowels are fo tender, that little or no pref¬
fure can be borne. But the warmth produced by the
fur or fleecy wool under the bandage is of more faff¬
ing benefit, and fhould be kept up without intermillion
till the dyfentery is cured. Though the bandage
fhould be applied very lightly over them, the elafticity
of the foft wool makes them adhere fo clofe as to ex¬
clude all cold, in a manner that cannot be effected
by the mere ufe of a flannel fhirt.

c< In order to fecure the good effefis of the bandage,
care muft be taken that it be properly applied. In fe-
rious cafes, I made a point of applying it rayfelf, t tuft¬
ing moft to its efficacy when I thus determined the ex-
aft degree of preffure that was made. Sometimes it
was apt to loofen, and efpecially to move upward, fo
as to uncover the lower part of the abdomen. To pre^
vent this, I firft made it firm round one of the thighs,
and, after putting it once or twice about the body,
brought it round to theoppofite thigh, proceeding after
wards to apply it fully round the body. It was often
neceffary, efpecially when I was obliged to employ
old bandages, to keep them together with pins in con®
venient places, after they were applied. But the ban¬
dages ufed ought, if pofiible, to be of new flannel,
for, after they are fome time wore, they lofe a great
part of their elafticity. With thefe precautions, I
always found them ftay on as well as I could wifh.
But in private practice, where we meet with fome
corpulent fuhjeds, this will often be more difficult.
In inch cafes, an elaftic jacket made of ftrong flannel,
lined with foft wool over the abdomen, and fitted with
elaflic wires acrofs the back, might anfwer all the pur-
poles of the bandage. It fhould alfo have a ftrap

fixed

Dewar on DiarrJma and Dyfentery . 177

fixed to the front part, to pafs betwixt the thighs^
and button again at the fmall of the back, in order
to keep the jacket well down over the abdomen, and
to proteft the lower end of the refihim from cold,
where that part is affected with morbid fenfibility*
The patent fleecy hpfiery jackets fold in the fhaps have
not in general a thicknefs of wool on the part covering
the abdomen fufficient to anfwer the purpofe j they
are alfo too eafy. Though elaftic enough to apply
clofely to the body, I fufpedl they would not produce
that degree of preflure on the abdomen which proves
fo ufeful when coverings are flrft put on. When a
jacket of this kind is to be ufed, an additional quan¬
tity of wool fliould be fewed to the inner part of the
front, and the fame kind of (trap that X have mention¬
ed employed to keep it down over the belly. How¬
ever as this jacket produces but little fenfible preflure, I
fhould not altogether truft to it, without applying a
roller over it, which might be pinned to the jacket, to
prevent it from (hiding.

“ This fpecies of dovering, in whatever form it is
applied, ought to be kept on even when the fymp*
toms of dyfentery begin to difappear; and, after they
are gone, it ought to be laid afide with caution, and
by flow degrees.”

The pradtice now inculcated we confider as of ma¬
terial moment, and far fuperior to the ordinary mode
in which flannel is employed. It was recommended
with great earneftnefs by Dr. Whyte, a roan of acute-
nefs, but rather of an eccentric character, and who
fell a vi£lim to his belief, that the plague is not in¬
fectious.

In the cure cf dyfentery, cordials were of great
importance in the debilitated Hate of the patient, and
they were often found of eminent utility, when taken
fo as to induce a flight degree of inebriety. The mind
was thus relieved from anxiety, and from brooding over
the prefent diftrdfes of the patient. A temporary cef-

fat ion

173 Richerand^ Elements of Phyfiologf

fation of uneafinefs was thus produced, which made
him better able to bear the remaining diforder. When
•wine and fpirits were not to be obtained for this pur-
pofe, an excellent fubftitute was found in fmoking
the mild tobacco of the country. When ufed in mo¬
deration, this was, in fome cafes* fuperior to exhila¬
rating liquors. In a date of oppreffive debility, when
the patient was feized in the evenings with deplorable
fits of reftleffhefs and languor, a pipe or two of to¬
bacco foothed his uneafinefs, renewed his flrength*
and prepared him for deep, which he could not other-
wife enjoy. It required fome degree of caution, how¬
ever, not to carry it to excefs.

Art. XXI. The Elements of Phyficlogy : contain¬
ing an Explanation of the Functions of the Human
Body; in which the modern Improvements in
Chemijiry , Galvanifmy and other Sciences, are
applied to explain the Actions of the Animal (Econo¬
my, Tranjlated from the French of A . R i c h e r an d,
ProfeJJor of Anatomy and Phyfiology , and Principal
Surgeon of the Hof pi tat of the North in Paris , By
Robert Kerrison, Member of the Royal College
of Surgeons in London, Svo., 464 pages, price 9s.
London, 1803. Murray.

WE noticed the original of the Treatife before us
in a former volume of our Review*, and pointed
out its diftinguifhing features and character at the time,
A compendium of phy.fiology, embracing the various
improvements which modern induftry has effe6ied
in anatomy, both human and comparative 5 in chemif-
try, and other branches of phyfics ; was, in fa£t, a de-
fideratum in our language, and we are glad, there*
fore, in an opportunity of announcing the prefen t
tranfktion of an interefting and valuable work. For ii$

* Vol. s. p. 456.

general

Richerand^ Elements of Phyftology . 179

general nature and execution we refer to our former
account, and at prefent lliall confine ourfelves to a
fhort extract or two, to enable our readers to judge
in fome degree for themfelves of the ftyle and manner.

Of the Connections between the Action of the Brain
and that of the Heart. * Agreeably to the experi¬
ment of Galen, we may make a ligature on each
of the carotid arteries of a living animal without
its being fenfibly affected ; but if we tie the vertebral
arteries at the fame time, the animal inilantly falls,
and expires in a few feconds. To make this experi¬
ment, after having made the ligatures on the carotids
of a dog, it will be neceffary to remove the foft parts
that cover the lateral furfaces of the neck, then to
take up the arteries with femicircular curved needles,
patTed by the tides of the cervical vertebrae through
their tranfverfe apophyfes : the ligature of the trunk
of the afcending aorta of an herbivorous quadruped
produces the fame effedl, that is, a hidden death of
the animal, .* , i:

f Theft? experiments feveral times repeated, prove,
in adecifive manner, the neceffity of the adlion of the
heart on the brain for the prefervation of life. But
what is the mode of adlion? Is it merely mechanical ?
Does it only confift in the light preffure that the ar¬
teries of the brain exert on its fubftance? Or is it ra¬
ther to be attributed to the interception of arterial
blood that the contractions of the heart propel towards
the brain that induces death ? The latter opinion feems
to be moft probable ; for if we liberate the carotids at
the fame inflant that we tie the vertebral, and, adapt¬
ing the tube of a fyringe, propel any liquid with a mo¬
derate force at intervals correfponding to tbofe of the
circulation, the animal does not recover life.

{ The heart and the brain are therefore connected
together by a direct dependance. The continual ar¬
rival of blood that flows in the arteries of the head is
confequently necelfary for the prefervation of life: its
momentary interception certainly occaflons the death
of the animal/ * The

180 RicherandV Elements of Phyjiohgy.

* The energy of the brain,’ he obferves, c feern^
generally in proportion to the quantity of the blood
received. I am acquainted with a literary charadler,
who in the warmth of his compofition prefents evident
fymptoms of a fpecies of brain fever. The face is red
and animated, the eyes fparkling, the carotids beat
forcibly, the jugular veins fwell: every thing ferves
to indicate that blood is carried to the brain in an
abundance and rapidity proportioned to the degree of
excitement. It is only in this kind of eredhon of
the cerebral organ that his ideas flow without effort,
and his imagination traces at pleafure the molt agree*
able pictures. Nothing fo much favours this flate
as long-continued lying: in the horizontal pofition, the
determination ofhumours towards the head is by fo
much the eafier, as the external organs are at perfect
reft, and do not alienate its courfe; and to induce it
nothing more is requifite than to fix his attention on
an objedl. Should not the brain, which is probably
the feat of this intelledtual exertion, be confidered
the centre of fluxion ? And may not the mental ftimulus
be compared, from its effedts, to any other ftimulus*
either chemical or mechanical ?

* A young man of a fanguineous temperament, fub-
jedt to inflammatory fevers, which always terminated
by a copious haemorrhage from the nofe, fuffers a re¬
markable; augmentation in the power of his undemand¬
ing and the adiivity of his imagination during the pa-
roxyfms. Some authors had already obferved, that cer«
tain febrile affedtions of a patient of a very moderate
fhare of underfianding gave rife to ideas that in a flate
of health would have furpaffed his conception. Cannot
thefe fadls be ranged in oppofition to the theory of a
celebrated phyfician, who confiders the diminution of
energy in the brain as the efiential charadter of fever?

‘ It is known that the different length of the neck,
and confequently the greater or lefs proximity of the
heart and brain, furnifhes us with a tolerable idea
of the underftanding of men, and the inflindt of ani¬
mals. An extreme length of the neck has been at all
times confidered the emblem of ftupidity.*

MISCELLANEOUS.

§ 12. On the Rot in Sheep . By Edward Harri-

fon, M. D. , 8$c. j

"pHIS is the title of a paper in the Jaft number of Mr,
Young’s A mi ah of Agriculture, which contains feveral
fa6bs and ingenious obfervations of great intereft to the medi¬
cal pradfitioner, as well as to the agriculturif, and the breeder of
fheep and other animals. The paper is altogether fo valua¬
ble, that we feel particular fatisfaftion in laying an abfiradl
of it before our readers.

An inquiry is fir ft made into the nature of the foil, and the
circumflances which tend to prevent or to produce the rot .
It is attempted to be Ihewn, thatmarfh miafmata are equally
the caufe of agues and other recurrent fevers, and of the rot.

The rot is known to have taken place in fheep by the
liver lofmg its firmnefs, and readily breaking down into
fm'all pieces. The fame affection, alfo, it is aiTerted, may
exifl in cows, horfes, affes, hogs, deer, hares, rabbits, geefe,
pigeons, turkeys, and poultry; but the disorder has been
hitherto principally or only obferved in fheep. Poor clay
and loamy lands are moil fubjedl to the rot , but by drainage
both the rot and agues di (appear. Pure Tandy, peat, and
gravelly lands, never produce the rot : many large tratds of
land, formerly very deftrudfive to (beep, are now no longer
fo, from having been drained. A great number of fa6Is are
related, to fhew that land made very wet by great falls of
rain were exempt from the rot and intermittent fevers, but
that higher lands rendered moift by the rain were produ6live
of thefe diforders. The hypothefis that one of the elements
of water unites with fonie vegetable matter, and thus pro¬
duces the miafmata paludum, might perhaps as well have
been omitted. The connexion, however, between the rot
of fheep and thefe miafmata is at leaf; rendered very pro¬
bable.

In the rot the liver is much affehfed and enlarged ; fo in
recurrent fevers, the ague-cake , from an enlargement of the
liver or fpleen, is very common. Sheep never recover fo en-

vol. x, O tirely

MISCELLANEOUS.

xxii

tirely from the rot as to become very fat, and “ their mutton
and gravy is generally white and pale.” The author feems
to intimate, that different fpecies of miafmata are produced;
of this, however, there is little probability, efpecially as he
himfelf conliders, that the date of the air occafions a varia¬
tion in the epidemics of different years : but again, that
thefe various dates of the air depend upon the impregnation
of the atmofphere with the miafmata of marfhes is very im¬
probable.

The various caufes ufually affigned of the rot are merely
hypothetical, except thatof its being occafioned by flukes or faf-
ciolce hepatica taken in with the food. However, even againfl
this generally admitted caufe, the author urges the ftrong
objection, that “ in fome dldridls mod aged (beep contain
flukes, and yet many of their livers are perfectly found;”
nor does it feem eafy to account in this way for the fri¬
able or tender date of the liver in every indance of the rot ,
as the flukes can only affedt thofe parts with which they
are in contadf.

“ The hay itfelf of moid lands,” Dr. H. obferves, “ gives
a more virulent and dangerous rot than any other.” This is
a very important obfervation ; and it is argued very fairly
from it, that the miafmata are preferved in the hav, as other
kinds of contagion are in cotton, wearing apparel, &c. pro¬
ducing the plague, typhus fever, &e. Yet worms do often
exid in the li ver and other parts of animals, fueh as the fluke,
tsenia, afcaris, &c. which have never been difeovered out of
the body.

Suckling ewes, and beeves above two years old, are in¬
capable of taking the rot by grazing, although calves and
fheep of all ages are liable to it. Kine acquire by age a total
exemption from the rot in circumdances which prove de^
ft rudtive to younger animals of the fame fpecies. Older
fheep are lefs liable to the rot than younger ones. New
coiners into aguiih countries are mod liable to intermittents,
and fo it is with (beep in regard tq the rot: hence the au¬
thor would infer, that the hepatic worms are not the primary
caufe of the rot . Alfo thefe hepatic worms are of different

fizes>

MISCELLANEOUS.

XX11I

■fees, and perhaps different fpecies, in the twelve fpecies of
animals fubjedl to the rot.

Having made his objections to the worm theory, the au¬
thor goes on to eftablifh another of his own. The rot, he lays,
begins with inflammatory fymptoms, and an exudation of
coagulable lymph under the liver; in which lymph the flukes
are lodged by fome procefs of nature unknown to us.

By fome miffake, the German writers, or elfe the Englifh
tranflators, have confounded the claveau , or fheep fm all-pox,
with our rot , and have attempted to fuperfede their eruptive
difeafe by the inoculation of the cow-pox; but, according to
the accounts of Dr. De Carro, unfuccefsfully

Moifture alone cannot produce the rot; for rabbits are very
fufceptible of this difeafe, yet in very wet feafons whole war¬
rens are exempt from it, while in other fituations and feafons
they are generally affected. The rot may be contracted by
fheep grazing for one quarter of an hour only on^particular
land, of which there are many examples. As fheep thrive
uncommonly for a few weeks after being tainted, fo it is ufual
purpofely to taint them, for the fake of profit. Butchers
know this fa6t, and turn their fheep on ground noted for
rotting animals. Sound fheep, on their journey to diftant
places to be fold, have been found to have the rot, which
has occafioned law fuits ; but the plaintiffs have been non-
fuited, by its being proved that the fheep grazed for a few
hours on land known to rot thefe animals. In the fame
way, people in travelling contract agues. For the prevention
of the rot, draining of land is recommended, and growing
abundance of grafs upon it. The fame holds good with re¬
gard to the difappearance of intermittents by vegetation.
The rot appears in the warm weather of fpring, and in No¬
vember. The late Mr. Baktxodi never fold any old ewes
till he had tainted them, to prevent the lofs of his breed.
After May Day he was of opinion he could rot his fheep at
p'eafure, by flooding his clofes, and flocking them while
thus faturated with moifture. Carefully removing flocks into
a dry fituation before the evening, and, after the exhalation of
the dew by the fun's morning heat, again turning them out

^ ^ to

XXIV

MISCELLANEOUS.

* \

to graze, even in low fwampy grounds, has prefer ved them
from the rot : the miafmata in this cafe being exhaJed by
the fun with the dew.

DecocTion of bitters and fait has, it is faid, preferved
flieep from the rot . This is faid to be Fleet’s famous
noftrum.

Miafmata are lefs copioufly produced in limedone than in
other countries ; hence the wold bills of Lincolnlhire let-
dom produce the rot.

§ 13. On the Variations of the Weather in the
Middle Latitudes , between the Equator and the
Pole , and on the principal Caufes which occajion
them. By M. Lamarck.

The knowledge of the variations which the weather un¬
dergoes at different times, of the circumftances which ac¬
company and of the caufes that produce them, cannot but
be productive of confiderable eeconomieal advantages to the
inhabitants of a country, and muft at the fame time contribute
to tiie advancement of meteorology. Yet the fubjebt, M. La¬
marck obferves, has been hitherto purfued in a manner that
is noways fat is fa (Tory or ufeful. In the conftruCtion of me¬
teorological tables, a column is generally fet apart for noting
the flcite of the weather at each obfervation ; but little im¬
portance is in general attached to obfervations of this fort,
and it is eafy to perceive that they have been the lead re¬
garded of any. They are moft'ly given in a vague way, with¬
out detail and without precifion ; in facl, no notice is taken in
them of the different movements of the clouds, of the diver-
dty of their date and general form, of their different ap¬
parent elevations. See. : it feems as if thefe objects were not
worth the trouble of being confidered, nor of fixing our at¬
tention : in confequence, we have no terms, generally
known and admitted, to exprefs various important charac¬
ters of the clouds, nor means of determining many others
which it would be neceffary to know on the fubjecd. Mete¬
orologies are curious in marking the obfervations of the

thermometer.

MISCELLANEOUS.

XXV

thermometer, hygrometer, udometer, atraidometer, &e. ;
yet the knowledge to be obtained from thefe forts of obferva¬
tions offers but little aid towards the advancement of mete¬
orology. ^

The thermometer, we know, merely points out thofe va¬
riations in the temperature of the air 'which take place in the
immediate point where the inurnment is placed. Change
its fituation, or its elevation, in the atmofphere, and the re¬
mits are altogether different. This internment is more ufeful
in carrying on experiments in the clofet or laboratoiy, than
for the purpofes of meteorology, unlefs obfervations are
made with it in all the different ft rata of the atmofphere
where it is poffible to apply it. The fame may be faid, in a
great meafure, of the other inftruments already mentioned ; but
the facts which obfervation of the weather affords, as wrell as
thofe furnifhed by the barometer and the fludy of the winds,
are of the firft importance for extending our meteorological
knowledge.

In general, nothing is more variable than the Hate of the
weather in our latitudes during the greatefl part of the year.
Sometimes, however, it prefents a liability which excites our
furprife, and which exerts an influence almofl always injuri¬
ous to the animals and vegetables of thefe climates. The
moon has generally been confidered as acting a diftinguifhed
part in the changes of the weather; and although M.
Lamarck allows the reality of the moon’s influence, philofo-
pliers are far from agreeing in the modes and times of its exer¬
tion. In reality, none of the atmofpherical variations which
we obferve in our climate are the refult of any Angle caufe,
hut rather of the reunion of feveral, the individuals of which
a6l relatively to each other, with more or lefs of effedl.

Meteorology, therefore, is to be confidered as Hill in its
infancy. The object of M. Lamarck in the prelen t paper, is,
to make known fome remarkable obfervations, made by him-
felf at Paris, refpecling the Hate of the weather, and to
eftablifh fome efTential and fundamental portions for the Hudy
of meteorology. The memoir is divided into the three follow¬
ing heads of inquiry :

C J k y

O 3

1. What

XXY1

miscellaneous.

1. What is the natural ft ate of the ter reft rial atmofphere,
and what are the effential qualities which then diftinguifh it ?

Q. What are the direbf caufes of the variations obferved in
the ftate of the weather in our climate ?

3. In what wav do the winds, when they vary, operate in
producing changes in the ftate of the weather? The folution
of thefe queftions will furniih a certain bafts for the ftudy of
meteorology.

Art . 1. ‘ Of the natural ftate of the terreftrial atmo-

fphere; and of the progreffive order of decreaftng heat and
denftty, from below upwards, which then exift in the differ¬
ent ftrata of the atmofphere.’

In reflebling on the ftngular effebls which certain caufes
produce on the atinofphere of our climates, and in collecting
various other known facfs, it appears, that, when thefe
caufes come to abf, they produce a ftate of derangement and
diforder in the atmofphere ; in a word, peculiar e debts, for
the moft part difagreeable or hurtful, and which only fubftft
as long as the caufes which give rife to them. As foon as
thofe caufes ceafe to abb, the atmofphere returns to its for¬
mer ftate ; its parts refume their relative fttuations and con¬
ditions, and that ftate is induced which is the ordinary one,
and which may be termed the natural ftate of the at¬
mofphere.

In this ftate it is perfectly tranfparent, and prefen ts at
different heights different denftties and temperatures, all pro¬
portional and relative to the general order and fttuation of
the ftrata.

In this ftate of things, the different ftrata fuperimpofed
on each other conftantly prCfent a certain progreffive order
of decreaftng heat ; and fo difpofed, that the ftratum neareft
the earth will be the moft elevated in point of temperature,
whilft the laft or uppermoft ftratum will be the eoldeft, or
moft nearly approaching to abjblute cold. The temperature
of the intermediate ftrata will be progreffively lower in pro¬
portion as they are more elevated, or more diftant from the
furface of the earth .

MISCELLANEOUS,

xxvii

In this ftate of things, alfo, the denftties of the atmo¬
fpheric ftrata will in like manner be all proportional and re¬
lative, progreflSively decreafmg from below upwards.

The air of each ftratum will thus be at its point of fatura ~
tion; but this point will be relative to the particular denfity
of the atmofpheric fluid, which compofes each of them.
In fhort, no cloud will in this cafe interrupt the tranfparency
of the atmofphere. — Such is the natural f late of the atmo¬
fphere, and luch in fact it would always remain, did not cer¬
tain caufes very frequently occur to derange it, by inverting
the order of the relations which fliould fubfift between the
ftate of its different parts.

The nature of the progreffion of the decreafe of temperature
of the parts of the air, in proportion as we afcend in the at¬
mofphere, at thofe times when it is tranfparent, muft be de¬
termined by experiment ; and it would be highly interefting
to employ balloons for determining this as well as other at-
mofpherical fadls of importance, inftead of abandoning thefe
inftruments to mere purpofes of idle curioflty.

But although the nature of the progreffion of decreafe of
temperature in different ftrata of air, when the atmofphere
is tranfparent, be not yet determined, fuch progreffion,
neyerthelefs) really exifts, and leads to the acquifition of
other important knowledge. It will be feen in the third
article, that the natural order of things (relative to the differ¬
ent degrees of decreafe of temperature of atmofpheric ftrata,
in proportion as they are more diftant from the earth, and
to the periods when the atmofphere is tranfparent) is often
more or lefs deranged by the effedl of different currents of
air (winds), which introduce, fometimes into one ftratum,
Sometimes into another, maffes of air of a temperature
different to that which fuch ftratum ought to poffefs in order
to preferve its relative denfity with the ftrata in its neighbour¬
hood.

From thefe derangements, which are exceedingly common
in our cbmates, it muft happen, that, when the air of the
ftratum below is lefs heated than that immediately above it,
the natural progreffion of the decreafmg heat ot the ftrata

O 4 from

xxviii

MISCELLANEOUS.

from below upwards is entirely deftroyed, as well as the re»
lations of the denfities of the adjoining ftrata. The point
of faturation in the air of certain ftrata is then neceffarily
changed, a precipitation of moifture takes place, and confe-
quently the atmofphere is obfcured by clouds more cr lefs
abundant.

In another memoir, M. Lamarck means to prove, that
whenever a variation occurs in the denfity of a ftraturo, fo
as to change its point of faturation, if this point be elevated,
fo far from producing clouds, an abforption, on the contrary,
takes place of thofe which before exifted in fueh ftratum ;
but when the point of faturation is lowered, there is then ne-
ceffarily a fog produced, proper for the formation of a cloud.
It will afterwards be fhewn, that whenever the order of pro-
greffion of decreafing denfities from below upwards becomes
inverted in the region of meteors, the point of faturation is
of neceflity lowered in certain ftrata, and confequently there
is a formation of clouds ; whereas the caufes which tend
tQ augment the denfity of the atmofpheric ftrata cannot
themfelves but favour the prefervation of the natural order
of decreafing progreffion, when it is once acquired, and
never interrupt it as long as they act exclufively.

The fabts which prove, that, in the natural ftate of things,
the temperature of the different ftrata becomes gradually
lower as vve afcend into the atmofphere, are the following :

It is well known, that in climbing the higheft mountains,
in fine weather, we arrive fuccefiively into colder and colder
regions; and that at the lummit, the fun, which fhines in
thofe elevated regions with unufual luftre, produces little or
no effect on the extreme cold that reigns there. This fact
is known to all philofopbers, though they have not paid fuf-
ficient attention to the circumftance to render the phenome¬
non complete.

From fome obfervalions made in a balloon at Paris, in
the fine days of fummer, the fame gradual diminution of
temperature was remarked in afcending into the atmofphere;
but the regularity depends on the air being perfe&ly transpar¬
ent. M. Lamarck long ago obferved, in travelling mo un-

* ■ tains.

MISCELLANEOUS.

tains, that, when the atmofphere was much charged with
clouds, the air at certain elevations was much milder than
when the iky was perfectly ferene. This obfervation was
lately confirmed in England, where the aeronaut, in the
conrfe of his afcenl in a cloudy day, arrived at a ftratuin of
air much warmer than that from which he fet out.

In thefe cafes, therefore, there was an inverlion of the na¬
tural ft ate of things ; that is to lay, the decreafing progreffion
of heat was deft toyed, as well as the relative derffities of the
atmofpheric ftrata ; the refult of which was, a change as to
the point of faturation. Confequently the atmofphere be¬
came charged with clouds.

Laftly, under the torrid zone itfelf, obfervation has long
fince demonftrated, that the heat decreafes by fucceilive,
though flow, gradations, from the level of the fea to the
greateft elevations yet reached ; and that this decreafe takes
place in general with little variation.

We fee that this gradual decreafe of heat, which, in the
torrid zone, is fubjebl to few variations, where the atmofphere
remains tranfparent as long as no inverfion of the order hated
-takes place, exiifs alfo ip the temperate regions, as often as
the fky is quite clear; but the progreffion is different.

The integrity of the progreffion mentioned being infe pa ru¬
ble from the tranfparency of the air, is thus the natural order
of the terreftrial atmofphere. In the higher latitudes. Inch
as thole which we inhabit, the progreffion of decreafing heal
in the atmofphere undergoes much more frequent local in-
verftons than in the lower latitudes. In confequence, the
ftate of the weather is leldomer ftationary, and the tranfpa-
rency of the air is ranch oftener difturbed by clouds.

It would feem that thefe variations, in other words the in-
veriions of the decreafing heat in the atmofpheric ftrata, only
take place in the lower region of the atmofphere, and which
M. Lamarck denominates the region of meteors ; for it is in
reality in this re pi on
of air to be formed.

It is proper to remark, that the natural progreffion of de-
creafe of temperature of the atmofpheric ftrata may con-

ftantly

only that we perceive different currents

XXX MISCELLANEOUS,

ftantly exift, although the temperatures have been changed
by the effedl of feafons, and confequently that this pr ogre ft*
fion may vary in its nature. Thus the ftrata of air may all
rife or fall in point of temperature/ and preferve neverthe-
lefs their relative proportions in the progreffive diminution of
caloric which penetrates them. In thefe cafes, whatever be
the nature of the progreffion of decreaftng heat, as long as
this progreffion fubftfts, the tranfparency of the atmofphere
•will not be difturbed by clouds. We often obferve, in fact,
in winter, during a low temperature of the inferior ftratum,
all the region of meteors tranfparent like the reft of the at¬
mofphere ; and it is alfo frequently feen, that, in fummer, the
fame general tranfparency takes place with a very elevated
temperature of the lower ftratum.

It follows, from what has been faid, that the tranfparency
of the atmofphere is never difturbed by clouds, unlefs the
progreffion of decreaftng heat, from the bafe of the atmo¬
fphere to the fummit of the region of meteors, be deranged in
fome part by the effedt of fome wind, and unlefs the relations
between the decreaftng denftties of the different ftrata be de~
ftroyed. So, in like manner, as foon as this progreffion is re-
ftored, the tranfparency of the atmofphere returns,

(To he continued.)

§ 14. Of the Caufes of Irritability and Excitability,

By J. C. Delametherie.

(Journal de Phy'f. Germ., an. 11.)

<( This inquiry,” M. Delametherie obferves, u in the pre-
fent ftate of knowledge, is one of the moft interefting in phy-
ftology but its folution is extremely difficult. I fhail oflef
fome reflections which may ferve to illuftrate it; for, in this
matter, as in all others, we can only advance by difcuffion'.
The errors which we refute, and even thofe which we com¬
mit, ferve frequently to difeover truth.” — He proceeds, then,
to lay down the principal fadts on the fubjedl.

Parts that have much irrilabilitv, when detached from the
body of the animal, preferve their movement for a confider-
able length of time. Thus the foot of the fpider, called a

J 'pin ntr

MISCELLANEOUS.

xxxl

fpirmer (araignee faucheur), and the tail of the orvet, when
cut off, continue to move for feveral minutes. The heart of
a frog, and that of the tortoife, pul fate fbmetimes for more
than an hour after they have been feparated from the body
of the animal.

When thefe movements ceafe, they may be made to re¬
appear by different means ; and,

1. By h eat. When the leg of the fpider, or the heart of
the frog, no Ipnger move, it fuffices to warm them in the
hand, or in any other way, in order to excite them to frefh
movement. Upon this fa6t, Goodwin founded his opinion,
that caloric is the principle of excitability.

2. Light may alfo be employed for the fame purpofe : it
a<hs in the fame manner as caloric. Befides, animals when
deprived of light become weak, lofe their energy, and their
excitability.

3. Qxygenc , and all bodies which contain it, are power¬
fully exciting agents. Humboldt has fhewn, that the heart
of a frog which has ceafed to beat moves again on being
fteeped in oxy- muriatic acid. The movement eeafes on ira-
merfing it in fulphuret of potafh, and may again be reflored
for a time by re-immerhon in the acid.— Girtanner hence
concluded that oxygene is the principle of irritabili ty.

4. Galvan? fm is a very powerful means of calling forth
excitability, and electricity produces the fame effeCls*

In order to difcover the caufes of thefe phenomena, we
fhould examine die fubflances which aid on the animal fibre,
Thefe are, .1 . Hot and cauflje bodies in general : 2. M odium
and dry nefs : 3. The addon of galvanifm and electricity :
4. The ftructure of the fibre it fell' may alfo contribute to the
effeCU

1. Animal fibres are exceedingly feniible to the imp re If on
of beat. A piece of fkin or leather held near the fire ret radii
itfelf, and ftmvels up. Caufiic matters produce the fame
effebls as heat on animal fibres. Acids, and cauftic. alkalies,
applied to fkin or leather, likewife oceafion it to fhriveL Thefe
bod ies, the author obferves, a cl by the matter of heat which
they contain,

2. The

XXXll

miscellaneous.

2. The animal matters of which hygrometers are made, as
hair, whale-bone, catgut, &c. are very lenlible to humidity.
They vifibly elongate and eontradl, according to the moif-
ture or drynefs of the air. The fibres which compofe the
bodies of animals may therefore be regarded, to a certain
extent, as hygrometric bodies. The inhabitants of moil!
countries have foft relaxed fibres, whilfl in warm and dry
regions the fibre is rigid and tenfe. Drynefs and humidity,
therefore, rnufl adl on the excitability of animals. Certain
animalcules (rotifer et tardigradus) lofe all irritability by dry¬
ing ; but recover it, as well as the power of moving, when
again moiflened.

3. It has been fuppofed, that the nerves were formed of
veficles or utricles placed longitudinally ; that a fluid circu¬
lated in them ; that, when this fluid wras abundant, it expand¬
ed the veficles laterally, and thus fliortened the nerves. But
anatom v has dif covered nothing like this in the ft ru <Sfcure of
thefe parts. Reil, who has bellowed great labour in invefli-
gating the flrudture of nerves, believes that they are com-
pofed of a membrane varioufly contorted, and in the hollows
of which the medullary fubftance is lodged. This nervous
tunic he calls neurilemma : fuch contortion of the nervous
membrane may favour the extenlion and contradfion of the
nerve ; for a long fibre, like that of filk as it iflueS from the
cocoon, or thole of hemp, are very iittle iufceplible of elon¬
gation when a weight is fulpended to them ; but if twifted
into a eo*d, they readily elongate by force, and recover
themfelves again by their elaflicity when the extending
force is removed.

4. The phenomena firft obferved by Galvani p.romife to
throw much light on the nature of animal excitability Hum -
boldt afterwards difcovered that contradlions might be pro¬
duced in a frog, properly prepared, without the intervention
of any metal : it is fuffleient for the purpofe that the mufcles
be brought into contact with the crural nerve : whence he
concludes, that the nerves poffefs a different fpecies of gal-

vanifui

MISCELLANEOUS. XXX1H

vaniim from the mufcles, and that in the bodv of the animal
there is a continual paffage of the galvanic fluid from the
nerves to the mufcles, and vice verfa #.

Aldini made the experiment on a larger fcale. He de¬
capitated an animal ; laid bare the cervical nerves on one
fide, and the mtifcles of the trunk on the other; he then
made a communication of one with the other, by means of
a prepared frog which he held in his hand : violent move-
ments took place,

Lagrave made another experiment, which, by confirming
Humboldt’s opinion, may throw much light on the lubjedL
He compofed a pile with difcs of cerebrai fubftance, aud
others of mufcular, placed alternately on one another as
thofe of zinc and copper are ufually piled, and he obtained
the commotion the fame as with the metallic pile. This ex¬
periment proves that the fubftance of the brain has an elec¬
tricity different from that of the mufclesf.

But the nerves are expanded through all the fubftance of
the rnufcles, and Humboldt has fhewn that the electricity of
the nerves is different from that of the mtifcles. Vajfali aifo
obferved, that the fluids of the human body poffeffed differ¬
ent kinds of electricity, and that the electricity varies in the
ftate of health and in dileafe.

To thefe experiments may be added what has been ob¬
ferved relative to the ftructure of the electric organs in the
torpedo, &c. Thefe eonlift of membranous cells, filled by a
foft tranfparent fubftance, which is traverfed by a great num¬
ber of nervous fibres, derived from different lourees. it

* Comus obferved, long ago, that the nerves pofi’efled an electricity different from
that of other parts of the body, and he made a great number of experiments to prove
it : he fays, “ the nerves when feparated from the body become as electric as amber.”
Jour, de Phyf. , 1775, p. 258.

+ Schtliiiing having, with a fcalpel, made a deep Wound in the cerebellum of a liv¬
ing dog, plunged his finger into it : he perceived feveral times the cerebrafpulp pal¬
pitate around his finger, and embrace it clofely with ofcillatory movements. Thefe
movements were renewed, and became fironger as often the obferver, with the ether
hand, irritated the fpinal marrow, which was laid bare the length of feveral -vertebrae.
Cubanis, Rap. de Phj/f. et du Moral de V Homme , tom, 1, p. 172.

feems

MISCELLANEOUS.

XXXI V

feems, one might conclude from thefe fadts, that the brain fur-
niflies to the nerves, and thefe again to the mufcles and to
the vifcera, a foft, pulpy, albuminous fubftance, analogous
to that which is found in the electric organs of fifties. This
fubftance is fufceptible of the galvanic electricity, according
to the experiments of Lagrave , and forms with the mufcle
a natural galvanic pile. They become electric, the One and
the other, like metals ranged in a pile. But a certain time is
requifite to produce the effect.

Humboldt fuppofes that the brain filters the galvanic fluid.
It appears, however, to be proved, that this fluid is the fame
with the electric, which is diftributed throughout all nature.

We can only fay, therefore, that the brain furnifhes to the
nerves a nervous pulp, which contains a great quantity of the
galvanic or electric fluid ; and, 2dly. That this vifcus, like all
the others, filters or fecretes a particular fluid, which is the
nervous fluid : this contains, in like manner, a great quantity
of the galvanic fluid. When much exercife is ufed, the ce¬
rebral pulp lofes a part of its galvanifrn. The fluid which is
derived from the brain becomes exhanfied: fatigue takes
place. (In the fame way the prepared frog, when too fre¬
quently excited, is exhaufted : by buffering it to repofe for a
few minutes, it recovers its former excitability, becaufe the
nerves and the mufcles have time to become electric.)

The means of repairing this lofs are the following :

] . Rtpofe. If this, however, be too long continued, it be-*
comes irkfome, becaufe the electricity is rendered overabun¬

dant..

£. Sleep. This produces the fame effects as reft, and in a
greater degree, becaufe the reft in fteep is more perfect.

3. Heat , in a moderate degree, renews the powers, by giv¬
ing activity to the galvanic fluid. We know that by heating
the plate of an electric machine its electricity is rendered
more active. In the prefent cafe, heat favours in the fame
manner the action of the nerves and mufcles in becoming
electric,

* 4. The

'V , ^

MISCELLANEOUS. XXXV

4. The light of the fun produces the fame effe<5ta as heat*
and from the fame caufes.

• 5. Friction removes fatigue, alfo, by augmenting the gal-
Vanifm or electricity.

But in what way, M. Delametherie alks, do galvanifm and
electricity produce mufcular contraction and excitability ?
Some phyfiologifts have endeavoured to explain thefe pheno¬
mena the chemical combination of the different principles
of which animal bod.es are compofed, viz. hydrogen, oxy¬
gen, azote, carbon, phofphorus, &c. The frit ideas on this
fubjedt were furnifhed by Gallini, and he has been, followed
by Gauthier, Butiner, Madni, V ait, Girtanner, fyc. Hum-'
boldt, who embraced this doCtrine, has made a great number
of experiments in order to difcover the combinations which
may produce contraction of the fibre#.

Other phyfioiogifts have fought for the principle of excita¬
bility and irritability in the ttruCture of the nerves. Some
have fuppofed the nerves to corffift of a kind of vehicles,
which were ditlended by the nervous fluid ; but this hypo-
thefis. as before obferved, is con trad idled by the researches of
anatomifts. Haller maintained, that the nerves could be ren¬
dered tenfe, like the ltrings of an inftrument, and thus be
made to vibrate. But this hypothecs is equally gratuitous

* 44 I think I can demonftrate,” he fays, 44 that the irritability of animal matter
44 does not depend on the quantity of oxygene which the body contains, but that
44 the azote and hydrogene perform a part equally as important, and that the decree
44 of vitality depends only on the reciprocal balance of the chemical affinities of all
44 the elements of which animat and vegetable matter is compofed.

44 There are thr^e principles which appear neceffary to excite irritability : 1. Oxy-
44 gene, which orms different combinations with the acidifiable bafes. 2. Thefe
44 hates, of which the fibre is compofed, are carbon, hydrogen, and phofphorus. The
44 galvanic fluid favours thefe combinations, as the electric fluid favours the combina-
44 tion of the azote and oxygen in the formation o/ the nitric acid.

44 Let us fuppofe a fibre compofed of a certain number of molecules o- — o — o _ o..»

44 which are the acidifiable bafes carbon, azote, <&rc. The arterial blood conveys to
44 thefe the oxygen. The galvanic fluid, which is difengaged, in paffing from the
44 nerve to the mufcle, favours the combination of the oxygen with the acidi Sable
44 bafes ; a combination takes place, and the fibre is fhortened. Hence we fee the
44 reafon why, when the nerve or artery is tied, there is no longer any power of
*f motion.”

with

XXXVI

MISCELLANEOUS.

'with the former. All thefe mechanical explanations are
given up at prefent. And we may add to all thefe fads, that
the fibrin of the blood, in which we can neither fuppofe
nerve or nervous fluid, or mufcle, to be prefent, is never-
th dels endowed with excitability. Circaud has fhewn, that
fibrin coni rads on being expofed to the galvanic pile : but
its excitability is exhaufted after a certain length of time.

We mu ft look, therefore, for another caufe of the contrac¬
tions which take place in the frog, when expofed to the ac¬
tion of the galvanic pile, or to that of the Leyden phial.
M. Ddametherie imagines, that it is the fame caufe as that
which makes a piece of Ikin contrad when expofed to the
fire, or to which an alkali, an acid, or any other cauftie mat¬
ter, is applied. This movement maybe regarded as a true
corrugation eflfeded by the eledric fpark, which ads on it in
the fame manner that it oxidates the metals in the pile of
Volta: but how does the eledric or galvanic fpark produce
this corrugation of the fibre, and this oxidation of the metals?
The animal fibre muff be considered as compofed of glutinous
matter, which flirinks and eontrads by drying or by heat, and
which fwells and lengthens by humidity. The fpark, whe¬
ther eledric or galvanic, produces a heat which inuft be fuf-
ficient to contrad and fhrivel this fibre, fince it is capable of
oxidating a metal.

Count Eimford lias proved, that fluids are bad eondudors
of heat; whence he concludes, that a great degree of heat
may exifl; where we have no means of difcovering it. He
believes, for example, that a ray of folar light falling on a
body which is a eondudor of heat, placed in the middle of
a fluid, fuch as a folution of muriated filver, will produce in
each of its molecules a heat fufficient to difengage its oxy¬
gen. This heat, he adds, is equal to what is neceflfary to de¬
tach the fame oxygen, when the compound is expofed to the
fire in a retort. “ It has been found,’" lie obferves, ft that
when a dilute folution of nitro-muriate of gold is expofed to*
the fun’s rays, the metal is revived. On the other hand, it is
known that the oxide of gold may be reduced by heat alone.

miscellaneous. xxxvii

We may fuppofe, therefore, that the fame degree of heat
takes place in both thele reductions,”

Thefe fads, M. Delamethaie thinks, authorize the concha
lion, that, in the galvanic experiments, the fpark which tra-
verles the body of the animal exerts its aCtion on the folids
only, and that the heat produced is Itrong enough to make
the fibre fhnnk, and thus caufe its contraction.

We have feen, that the nerves, the mufcles, and the vifeera,
in a living animal, may be conhdered as compoling a natural
galvanic pile. Continual difeharges are taking place, the
eleCtric or galvanic fluid palling from the nerves to the muf¬
cles and vifeera, and from the mufcles to the nerves. Thefe
difeharges are accompanied with the difengagement of ca¬
loric, as in the eleCtric difeharge. The caloric, being depo-
fitcd in the midft of fluids incapable of conducing it, exerts
all its aCtion on the folid parts, that is, on the fibre, and oo
cafions it to flirink or fhrivel for a moment, juft as it oxidates
the metals in Volta’s pile, although they be fituated in the
midft of water, or contiguous to moiftened cloth. This alfo
appears the only way in which we can explain the contrac-
tiQn of the fibrine of the blood, when fubmitfced to the aCtion
of the pofitive and negative poles of the pile; for it fhrivels
as when expofed to heat*.

* The combinations of oxygen taking place throughout all the veffcls of the body,
may concur to the fame effects ; for this principle combines incefiantly, 1ft. With hy¬
drogen, to form water. 2dly. With carbon, to produce carbonic acid. Sdly. With
hydrogen and carbon, to form the animal acids and oils. Thefe combinations are re¬
garded in the act of refpiration as true cornbuftions, which confequently may Strive!
the fibre.

This is what takes place in the experiments of Humboldt. He fleeped the heart
of a frog, after it had ceafed to palpitate, in oxy-muriatic acid. Its movements were
immediately renewed, becaufe the oxygen, combining with tb« hydrogen or carbon
di'fengaged from the heart, combuftion and fhrivelling tookplacq. When, on the
contrary, he fteepedthe heart in a folution of potafs or alkaline fulphurets, the oxygen
could no longer reach the xnufcular fibre ; nor confequently combuftion, irritability, not
contraction, take place.

When an animal runs, or ufes violent exercife, there are continual difeharges of the
galvanic fluid, which paffes from the nerves to the mufcles, and there is confequently
an abundant difengagement of caloric : this is one of the causes of the great heat
which animals acquire during violent exercife. Humboldt finds in the fame caufe
the reafop of the dark colour which the fibres of animals that run much haveY it is
©wing, he fays, to the carbon which is the re fid ue of thofe frequent combuftions.

VOX*. X. P • . ‘ h ' TJte

xxxvm

Miscellanea t> s .

The nervous fluid, and the ftructure of nerves, exert alfo &
peculiar abtion in the phenomena here fpoken of. Let ns
fuppofe, with Reil, that the nerve is compofed of membranes
with intervening cells, in which is lodged the medullary fnb-
fiance ; fuppofe that this medullary fubftance pours out con-
ftantly a fluid vyhich contains a great quantity of the elebtric
or tralvanic fluid : the medullary fubftance and the nervous

O •'

fluid which it contains will then furnifli a fufflcient quantity of
elebhic matter to make the nerves contrabl ; and their pecu¬
liar ftrudture will tend to augment this contrablion.

Upon this hypothefis, it is conceived that the nerves are
abfolutely neceflary to the movement and fenfibility of ani¬
mals, flnce it is they which carry to the mufcles and vifcera
the fubftance impregnated with the galvanic or elebtrie fluid ;
otherwife the animal would have only a momentary excita¬
bility, as we obferve in parts detached from the body, as the
claw of the fpider, the heart of the frog, The motion of
the blood in the heart, arteries, and veins, is not lefs neceflary,
as it preferves the vital heat, which is an important agent
in the galvanic phenomena.

Thus, to return to the difficult queftion of excitability, the
moll probable ideas on the fubjebl, according to our prelent
notions, appear to the author to be the following :

1. That the nerves are compofed of particular membranes,
in which is depoflted the medullary fubftance.

2. This medullary fubftance conveys from the brain a fu ti¬
tle matter, or peculiar fluid, analogous to the aura feminalis,

3. The medullary fubftance and nervous fluid contain a
great quantity of elebiric or galvanic fluid ; and it is proba¬
ble that the aura feminalis contains alfo much of the fame,
matter.

4. The nerves diflributed through the mufcles and in the
vifeera form a natural galvanic pile.

5. There take place continual difcharges of this galvanic
fluid, which pafles from the nerves to the mufcles and vif¬
cera reciprocally, and which forms the vital principle, and
fupports life in all the parts.

6. In this reciprocal paflage of the galvanic fluid from the
neives to the mufcles and vifcera, a fibre is momentarily cor¬
rugated

MISCELLANEOUS. XXXI X-.?

rugated ^nd eontradled by the caloric which is difengaged ; .
in the fame manner as, in the pile of Volta, the metals are
oxidated although in contadi with water,

7. Heat, light, and friclion, by rendering more adlive the
faculty which the nerves and other parts have of becoming
eledhic, produce general good effedls, and increafe the
powers of the fyftein.

We have feen that in the natural hate of the animal there
may be fuppofed to exift an equilibrium between the galva-
nifm or electricity of its nerves, and that of the mufcles and
other parts, as in the charged Leyden phial. This appears
(juite evident in the torpedo and the other eledlric fifties.
Thefe facts admitted, M. JDelametherie would thus explain
the mechanifm of animal movement and fenfalion.

A fenfatjon is produced by the application of fome fub-
fiance to the furface of the body of an animal; for example,
the thin : this Ik in contains a great number of nerves, which
are diftributed through an aponeurotic or membranous fub-
ftance, and this forms a fort of natural galvanic pile, where
the eledtric fluid ex ills in the fame ftate as in the torpedo, or
in the charged Leyden phial. The equilibrium is broken by
this touch, juft as when we touch the torpedo, or the two
forfitces of the phial : a galvanic difcharge then takes place.

In the ordinary ftate, this difcharge is too weak to produce
the commotion which follows the touch of the eledlric fifties ;
but it is fufficiently ftrong to aftedt the nerve from its origin
to the brain and central point, where we muft fuppofe the
feat of the feutient principle: this difcharge continues,' as
in the galvanic pile, fo long as the touching body remains bn
the fkin. As often as this difcharge produces in the fenT)
tient principle an effect fufficiently great, it will undergo a,
fenfation ; and this fenfation will continue as long as the ap¬
plication is made.

This eledtric difcharge, by putting into play the excitabili¬
ty of the nerves, flirivels and contradls them, as well as the;
mufcles through which they are diftributed ; and the animal
is moved by the fame caiifes which move the frog and otftbr
■agimals in the galvanic experiments.

^ 4 15. GaU

MISCELLANEOUS.

§ 15. Galvanic Experiments on the Eye , 8$c. By

M. Lagrave.

(Journal de Phyf., tom. 56, p. 159.)

M. Lagrave employed at fi'rft a pile of eighty pairs in
the experiments here recited, but the effect was painful, and
the fenfation altogether indiftin&i With forty pairs he
could judge accurately of the fenfation.

When the conductor from the pofitive end of the pile was
held in the left hand, and the other conductor was placed
above the eye-brow of the fame fide, the eyes being both
blind-folded, a fiafli of light was perceived in the left eye
onlv, and the fenfation of tafte was excited along the middle
of the tongue : but when the negative conductor was placed
above the oppofite eye-brow, the fenfations excited were ge¬
neral ; that is to fay, they took place through the whole
head ; in both eyes, and over the whole furface of the
tongue.

The celerity with wrhich the galvanic fluid pafles is incal¬
culable, and exceeds that of the perception of touch.
M. Lagrave confirms by his own obfervation the opinion of
other philofophers, that galvanifm does not excite the fenfe
offmell.

\ 16. Galvanic Experiments tending to prove that
there are two Fluids in the Animal (Economy ,
the one . Pofitive, the other Negative , and which
appear to produce , by their Union, , the Agent of
Vitality , By the fame.

M. Lagrave, after a number of fruitlefs trials, owing to the
great tendernefs of the brain, at length lucceeded in forming
a galvanic pile, with alternate layers of mufcle and cerebral
fubftance, interpofing pieces of rooiftened hat between the
pairs. No effed could be perceived from this arrangement
fill the pile amounted to forty pairs, when the organ of tafte
became affeded on trial. The effed was heightened on in-
creafing the number to fifty, and flili more to fjxty ; fo as to
leave no doubt of the reality of the fad. i

— — g, 17. Qn

MISCELLANEOUS. xM

§ 17. On the Formation of Cryftals.

The fubjebt of cryftallization, by po means an unimport¬
ant one, fince it is intimately eonnedled with the laws of at¬
traction in general, and chemical attraction or affinity in par¬
ticular, has of late been fuccefsfully inveftigated by M. Le¬
blanc, in his work entitled C ryfta / lo techn i e , or the Art of
forming Cryftals. By great attention to the fubject, he lias
been enabled to form cryftals of the greatelt regularity, and
of extraordinary bulk. The following is his mode of pro¬
ceeding.

He diffolves a very pure faline fnbftance in water, and
evaporates the water to the point of beginning cryftallization.
The, whole is then poured into a giaft or porcelain veifel,
having a flat bottom, and fet by. Small cryftals are then
deposited. The pureft of thole cryftals are taken from the
liquor, with a fpatula ofglafs, or other fubftance incapable of
being abted on. Thefe he terms embryo cryftals. The liquor
is then decanted into another veffel, and the embryo cryftals
placed at the bottom of the new veffel. The bulk of the cry¬
ftals becomes augmented by the depofition of frefh mole¬
cules; but the greateft increafe takes place on the fide which
touches the bottom of the veffel. The cryftals therefore are
turned with a fpatula, and thus cryftals are at length formed
of a fize greater than any hitherto obtained.

The chief cireumftances which influence the form of the
cryftals in cryftallization, ns here fluted, are :

1. The depth of the liquor in which the procefs goes on.
The nearer to the bottom of the veffel, the greater is the in¬
creafe of the cryftal. It even fometimes happens that a cry -
ftal on being placed at the furface of the liquor diifolves,
becaufe the faturation at the furface is not complete ; whilft
another fituated at the bottom of the veffel increafes in fize,
the liquid being there fully faturated.

2. The particular pofition of the cryftal in the veffel.

3. The pofition of the cryftal on the bottom of the veffel :
the face touching the bottom always increafes molt in bulk.

4. The nature of the principles which conftitute the erv-
ftah Thus all the fulphuric falls, the acid of which is in

excels.

xlii

MISCELLANEOUS.

excels, are of a different figure from thofe in which the acid
is fatu rated. (

5. The water of crystallization being more or lefs abundant
occafions alfo a variation in the form of the cryflals.

§ 18. New Difcoveries in Chemiftry.

Amongft the late fuccefsful researches of chemical phiiofo-
phers may be reckoned the following.

M. Gimbernat has found that the gas given out from the
famous fnlphurotis waters of Aix la Chapelle is not, as was be¬
lieved, fulphurated hydrogen. The fulphur appeared to be
fufpended in azotic,, not hydrogen, gas. He iikewife obferved
the pretence of pure azote in thofe waters.

Mr. Davy, has difeovered that the mimofa catechu, or terra
japonica , confifts almoft wholly of pure tannin, and that its
adlion on leather is in proportion powerful.

The fame chemift has obferved, that the tanning principle
feems to be formed by the exDofnre of certain vegetables to
a certain degree of heat, as is the cafe with the acorn, which
poffeffes none of this principle in its raw ftate. Coffee feems
to undergo a limilar change by roafting, as it has been re¬
marked that the decodiion precipitates animal gluten co-
pioufly.

§ If). Fixed Alkalies contained in Miner ah.

The two fixed alkalies, potafs and foda, have been found
in filuations where their prefence was never fufpedfed. The
former was difeovered in the lepidolite by Klaproth. Dr.
Kennedy detedfod foda in hafaltes and granftein , and it was
found in Jhiftofe porphyry by Klaproth. The method em¬
ployed by Dr. Kennedy for feparating foda from fuch com¬
binations is as follows.

It confifts (imply in treating the mineral with fulphuric
acid, evaporating to dry nefs, and then heating to rednefs iri
a crucible. By this flrong heat, the metallic and earthy
fulphats are decompofed, and the red-hot acid which is dif-
engaged adis with great energy on the undecompofed part
oi the (lone, and unites with its foda. By lixiviation and
evaporation the fulphat of foda is obtained, and the foda
Teparalcd and eftimated by the ufual methods.

Account

( xliii )

Account of the principal Lectures, in the different Branches of Medkitie*,
which will be delivered the enfuing Winter, in London.

ST. THOMAS’S and GXJY’s UNITED HOSPITALS.

St. Thomas’s — Anatomy and Surgery. By Mr. Cline and Mr,
Aftley Cooper. Oft: l,at 1 o’Clock.

Guy's- — Praftice of Medicine, Dr. Babington and Dr.

Curry, * . . . . Oft. 3d. at 10 M„

Theory of Medicine and Materia Medica,

Dr. Curry. . . Oft. 4th. 7 Ey.

Chemiftry, Dr. Babington and Mr. Allen, Oft. 4 th. 10 M.

Phyfiology, Dr. Haighton. . . Oft. 10th. 7 Ev«>

Midv/ifery, Ditto i . i ....... i . Oft. 5th. 8 M« >

Surgery, Mr. A. Cooper. ........... .Oft. 10th. 8 Ev„

Particulars may he kno\Vn by application to Mr. Stocker, Apothe¬
cary at Guy’s.

ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.

Theory and Praftice of Medicine, by Dr. Roberts and Dr. Powell.,
Oecaftonal Clinical Leftures, . . i . . . .Dr. Roberts.

Anatomy and Phyfiology, ........ .Mr. Aberncthy.

Comparative Anatomy and Phyfiology, Mr. Macartney.

Theory and Praftcice of Surgery,. . . .Mr. Abernethy.

Chemiftry and Materia Medica,. . . .Dr. PoWell.

Midwifery, ......... i ..... . . Dr. Thynne.

Farther particulars may be had of the Apothecary at the hofpitaL

LONDON HOSPITAL.

Anatomy, Phyfiology, and Surgery, by Mr. Pleadington and Mr.
Frampton. Oft. 1 ft, at 2 o’Clock.

Demonftrations as ufual by Mr. Armiger.

Lectures on Physic and Chemistry, by Dr. George Pear¬
son, Senior Phyfician to St. George’s Hofpital, commence in the
fecond week of Oftober, at hishoufe in Leieefter Square: viz.

Therapeutics. . . .at | before 8 M.

Praftice of Phy fic ........ * . at ~ paft 8 M.

Chemiftry . . at ~ paft ft M. .

Cafes of patients in the hofpital, Saturdays from ft to 10*

Farther particulars to be had in Leieefter Square.

Lectures on Anatomy, Physiology, and Surgery, by Mr.
Br ooxes, Blenheim Street, Great Marlborough Street, commence about
the beginning of Oftober.

Mr. Blair’s Phyfiological Leftures will commence at the BloOmf-
bury Difpenfary, Great Ruffel Street, October 4th, at 8 in the Evening. 1

Mr. Thomas’s Leftures on the Principles and Operations of Surgery'
will commence early in Oftober, at his houfe in Leieefter Square, where
the particulars maybe known, and at ‘the Anatomical Theatre in Wind¬
mill Street. ' COR RE-

( xliv )

CORRESPONDENCE.

Evidence of the precife Date of the Introduction of the Cow-pock Inocu -

lation in America.

To the Editor of the Medical and Chirurgical Review.

Sir,

Finding that the honour of the firft inftances of the Vaccine Inoculation in Arae.
idea is unduly conferred, and that there has been even fome little contradiction and
3niftakes among the Englifh practitioners with regard to which of them firft introduced
the new practice into that country by fumifhing matter, I truft the following ftate-
ment may eftabliftt the hiflorica’ truth in queftion.

In the winter of the year 1799, Dr. John Chichefter, a practitioner of the firft dif-
iinction in Charleftown, South Carolina, and to whom I was pupil, received vaccine
matter from his learned friend and former teacher Dr. Pearfon.

With this matter feveral perfons were inoculated, but the difeafe was produced in
one cafe only. This was a Mulatto boy, named Robert , about feven or eight years of
age, the property of Thomas Tunno, Efq.— -The fmall-pox matter was fubfequently
inferted in the moft careful manner without effect. — It was fome time after the occur¬
rence of the above cafe before thofe which have been publiihed as the JirJi inftances ia
America really happened.

It may be proper to notice, that my late and worthy mafter Dr. Chichefter was not
fupported by the approbation of his brethren in his introduction of the vaccine inocu¬
lation in America, noiwithftanding the high authorities of the two firft writers, Dr.
Jenner and Dr. Pearfon, who propefed it to the public. I am, Sir,

Your humble fervant,

London , 20 th July, 1803^ N. H. RHODES,

P. S. Since my arrival in London, 3 have feen Dr. Waterhoufe’s lateft treatife on
the Variolas Vaccina, 8vo., Cambridge 1802; hence I am enabled to fix the precife
date of his firft inoculation from his own words. “ I commenced the experiment'
(vaccine inoculation) July 8 th, 1800, on my own children, four of whom, with three
of my' domeftic^, paffed regularly through the difterriperf and they fooft after went in¬
to the Licenfed Small-pox Holpital, and were inoculated by Dr. Afpinwall with the
matter of the fmall-pox without the leaft trait of infection.”— P. 5.

The error concerning the inoculation of the cow-pox in America would not have
happened, if Dr. Chichefter’s account had not failed in getting to Europe ; nor would
the firft introduction there have been imputed to the Vaccine Inftitution,. as was fup-
pofed froip the following paffage in Dr. Lettfom’s book on the cow-pock ; viz. “ the
drift vaccine matteT that l'ucceeded with profeffor Waterhoufe was tranlmitted from Ebg-
land in a bottle with a glafs ftopper.” — P. 24.

London, Aug'., 19, 1803.

To the Editors of the Medical and Chirurgical Review', •*

Gentlemen,

* - ■*!

Obferving, in the laft number of y'our very ufeful publication, that you have aferibed
to my friend Mr. Heavilide a cafe in which there was a preternatural conformation cf
the heart analogous to that given by Dr. Sandifort in hrs Obferxationes Anatomicee,

which cafe was altogether under my care ; - -

As I am about to puhlifh an account of this Lufus Natures, and to give with it, an en¬
graving of the heart, 1 lhould efteem myfelf obliged by this ftatement’s being promul¬
gated through the medium of your valuable work.

I prefenxedMr. Heavifide with the preparation, as a duty I owed fociety. This
gentleman has a very excellent mu feu in ; arid his liberality in extending its benefits to
every one who may' be defirous of profiting by it is too well known to need any eulogy
from me. I am, Gentlemen, your obedient fervant, . j

George Street, Hanover Square. JP. JAMES.’

maintain that Mr. Piatt was wrong in entitling his Effay An Inquiry
into the Efficacy of Oxygen fince it a Burned trie truth of. two. points, neither of which, .

and efpecially the latter, is fatisfactoriiy proved; viz. i. That ocygen is the acidifying
principle ; and, 2. That acids act by imparting oxygen to the fy ltem. But the incentive
to publications of this fort is not alwa-ys fcien.ce.

“ Nec tantum Veneris, quantum ftudiofa Cutinee.**

TWn T VTT

THE

MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL

NOVEMBER, 1803.

Kv i . L, ' . ’ i • "

Continuation (Art. I.) of Dr. Black’.? Elements of
Chemiftry , &ic.from page 122,

FROM Note 6, vol. 2, it appears, that the notion of
oxygen being the acidifying principle was in
fome degree entertained by Dr. Rutherford , of Edin¬
burgh, fome years previous to its adoption by M. La-
voifier. c I cannot omit mentioning in this place,’ the
editor obferves, c that rny colleague Dr. Daniel
Rutherford read, in the year 1775, to the Philofophi-
cal Society of Edinburgh, a differtation on nitre and
nitrous acid, in which this do6trine is more than hint-
ed at or furmifed. By a feries ot judicioufly contriv¬
ed experiments, he obtained a great quantity of vital
air from nitric acid; about one-third of that quantity
from the fulphuric acid, as contained in alum ; and a
frnall quantity (and this very variable and uncertain)
from the muriatic acid. The manner in which it
came off- from the compounds, in various circum-
frances, led him to think that the different quantities
obtained did not arife from the different proportions
in which it was contained in thofe acids, but merely
In the different forces with which it was retained.

He therefore concluded that vital air was contained

, \

, vol, x. * Q in

« >

182

Black V Elements of Chemifry .

in all acids, and thought it likely that it was &
necejfary ingredient of an acid ; and, feeing that it
Was the only fubflance found, as yet, in them all, he
thought it not unlikely that it was by this that they
were acid , and he points out a courfe of experiments
which feems adapted to the decifion of this queflion*
I was appointed to make a report on this differtation ;
and I recolle6t hating as an obje£tion to Dr. Ruther¬
ford’s opinion, “ that it would lay him under the ne-
*e ceffity of fuppofing that vitriolic acid wras a com-

pound of fulphur and vital air,” which I could not
but think an abfurdity. So near were we at that time
to the knowledge of the nature of the acids!*

Profeffor Robifon confiders peat, or the black mofs
of the moors, as an approximation to coal. ‘ It is not
found/ he obferves, 4 in many places; and no
where abounds fo much as in Scotland and Ireland.
It is by no means enough for the formation of peat
that the place be a wet marfh, abounding in vege¬
table matter. In the irnmenfe diflricts of Europe and
America fuch fituations are common; and we have
impaffable moraffes and fwamps of vaft extent, but
thefe are not filled with peat, nor is the mud which
tills them very inflammable. Accuftomed to the bogs
of Scotland, and little informed in natural hiftory, I
was much furprized at finding fimilar fituations
in the Canadian woods without peat; and this made
me examine with attention the matter contained in
thofe bogs. Even where the vegetable remains were
very abundant, and conftituted almofi: the whole mafs, J
I fioqnd it very little inflammable, and altogether un¬
fit for a fuel. And, what 1 took particular notice of,
the knell in burning was altogether unlike the fmell
of burning peat. This is quite peculiar to peat. I
never faw peat in any part of North America, except
in the neighbourhood of Louifburg ; and there it
was but a very fcanty mixture of peat earth with the
moorifh foil.

< While

183

Black’s Elements of Chemijlry.

€ While the fmell of all burning peat has a character
by which it may always be known, there are confider-
ible varieties; and thefe varieties feem to me to be
fuper-additions to the didinflive fmell of peat. This
s confiderably like that of the moll; inflammable lean
:oal, and dill more like to that of jet, but not near fo
}fFenfive. The blacked, hardeft, heavied peat, when
the matter is almod an impalpable pulp, is the mod
inflammable, and leaves the fmalled quantity of
afhes. This kind of peat has the heavied fickening
fmell. Such is the peat at Canifbay, in the north ex¬
tremity of Scotland, jud by John-a-Groat’s Houfe.
This, when dried, is fo fine in its texture, as to break
with a fort of polifh, like a jafper. Its fmell in burn¬
ing is not very didinguidiable from that of cannel
coal. The fmell of the bed Dutch turf, which is
taken up from the bottom of fait water, refembles
that of the peat now mentioned very much.

4 I am inclined to think that a certainjuice is necef-
fary for the formation of a bog into peat. Perhaps
this juice is the primitive bitumen. I fufpedt alfo
that it is always accompanied by vitriolic matter.
Peat afhes always contain a very great proportion of
iron. I have feen three places in Ruffia where there
is fuperficial peat mofs, and in all of them the vitriol
is fo abundant as to efflorefce. One in particular,
hard by St. Peterfburgh, fhews it every morning on
the clods, when the dew has dried ofif.

4 Peat modes form very regular ftrata, lying indeed
on the furface; but if any operation of nature fhould
cover this with a deep load of other matter, it would
be compreded, and rendered very folid ; and, remaining
for ages in that fituation, might ripen into a fubdance
very like pit-coal.’

The imperfeflion of M. Lavoifier’s theory of com-
budion, in accounting for the light and heat produc¬
ed, is clearly fhewn in Note 22. This gentleman fup-
pofed a gas to ccnfid of its radical or didinguifhing

Q 2 ingredient,

1 84 Blacks Elements of Chemiftry .

ingredient, combined with caloric, according to tin
ordinary laws of chemical affinity. Thus when oxy-
gen, the bafis of oxygenous gas, combines with an in
flammable body in the aft of combuftion, the hea
and light (the other component parts of the gas) an
fuppofed to be fet at liberty. This explanation is fa
tisfaftory in regard to the heat produced in the unioi
of nitrous and oxygenous gafes to form nitrous acid
but in other inftances of the extrication of heat is al
together inadequate. Thps when a metal is diffi>lve<
in an acid, much heat is evolved, and at the fame tinu
a confiderable quantity of gafeous fluid is formed
But in this cafe, according to the theory of M. Lavoi
tier, inftead of the produftion of heat, the reverf
ought to take place: heat fhould be abforbed to pro
duce the gas, and a cold incomparably more intent
than in any of our freezing mixtures.

‘ I would now afk,’ the editor obferves, c in wha;
ftate is the calorique contained in the materials of a
acid and a metal, when they aft on each other? Som
of the materials mu ft contain it in a ffate that is un
neceffary for their appearance in the hate of a foil
tion, of an oxyd, or of a metalline fait. When all thi
calorique has emerge^, the oxygen in nitre flill con
tains a great (lore of it, feeing that it is extricated fror
it in deflagration with inflammable fubftances. Thi
only increafes the difficulty ; for this great ftore c
calorique muft remain in the folution, and in the m<
tallic fait which it produces. Heat is extricated i
the folution, and gas containing oxygen is produce^
This gas, by uniting with vital air, again detacher
calorique, and produces nitric acid. This acid wi
diflolve metal, and again detach calorique. This ma
be continued without end. This circumllance alon
ihould convince us that there is fome error in oi
theory, becaufe this endlefs generation of heat is in
poflible in the nature of things. We cannot fay, wit
any well grounded confidence, whether more cak
rique is extricated from oxygen, when, in the gafeoi

Blacks Elements of Chemijlry, 185

form, it caufes the combuftion of fulphur, or when,
as an ingredient of nitre, it contributes to the defla¬
gration with the fame fulphur. I grant that I think
that more is extricated in the firft cafe. But it fhould
be an immenfe deal more. For methods may be
found for transferring the oxygen of the fulphuric
acid, formed in the firft cafe, to azote, and of thus
forming nitric acid, and nitre, which will again defla¬
grate with fulphur.

* All this is myfterious and intricate. I do not fay
incompatible ; but I am not able to reconcile them by
means of any known fa£ts. The fame, or greater dif¬
ficulties, occur in almoft all the fpontaneous inflam¬
mations; in the deflagrations of nitrous acid with eft
fential oils, and in many detonations ; and in particu¬
lar the heat and light which we call glow, or incan-
defcence ;— efpecially fuch as appears in the Dutch
experiments, mentioned in page 642, on the mixture of
fulphur with feveral metals. I acknowledge that I
never was fatisfied with the explanations given of this
fubjefct. Indeed, it is rather kept out of light by the
French chemifts. I am informed that Mr. Meunier,
who was one of Mr. Lavoi Tiers chief afliftants, tried
many experiments, in company with Dr. Soemmering,
of Mentz, and that they communicated their obferva-
tions with Lavoifier and the chemifts of Paris, and that
thefe gentlemen were fo little pleafed with the refults,
that they were never mentioned in the Academy. I
am difpofed to aflign a very different fource of the
heat in ail thefe operations; and, fhould this work
have a fecond edition, I may probably have fo far ma¬
tured my notions on the fubjedf, as to think them not
unworthy of the public attention. At prefent, they are
by no means in fuch a ftate.’

In Note 29, the editor gives what he deems the molt
eligible mode of preparing the radical vinegar, as it
is called, the acetous or acetic acid, for it is by no
means yet proved that thefe two differ, except in de-

Q 3 gree

186 BlackV Elements of Chemijlry »

gree of concentration. c The fimpled and mod obvi¬
ous method of ail/ profeflbr Robijon obferves, * is to
employ the fuperior affinity of another acid, and of
thefe the mod fixed is to be preferred. Concentrated
fulphuric acid being poured on the acetite of copper,
it detaches the acid with great facility, and as agree¬
ably fragrant as the bejt of the dry procefs, or what
comes over after the portion tinged with the copper,
and before any empyreuma can be obferved. It is
alfo extremely drong, and of a pungent odour, and
the lad portion is inflammable. This was firfi obferv¬
ed, I think, by Count de Lauragais ; and he employ¬
ed it to form an acetic aether, which exceeds others
in fragrance. There is generally fome carbonated
matter left adhering to the fulphat ; and this has been
adduced as a proof that the acetic acid, by depofiting
carbon, has become redundant in oxygen.

* It will be faid, that the acid obtained by this pro¬
cefs is not in a date of complete dephlegmation, as in
the other. But I may obferve here, that the other pro¬
cefs cannot be eafily conduced without fome wrater.
Without this addition, in order to tranfmit the heat
more readily to the centre of the mafs, the acid cannot
be expelled from thence, without over-heating the
exterior parts.

c A dill better procefs is that of Mr. Lowitz. He
mixes three parts of the acetite of copper with eight
parts of a fulphat of potafh furcharged wfith acid
(prepared by diddling fulphuric acid from potafh to
drynefs). This mixture, in dry powder, contains as
much redundant fulphuric acid as is fufficient for fatu-
rating the copper or its oxyd, and for extricating the
whole of the acetous acid, with a very moderate heat.
He affirms, that in this way we obtain it, with all the
fragrance poffible, from this preparation.

* Nitric, or the oxygenated muriatic acid, or aqua
regia, might be employed, with proper precautions,
%o decompound the cupreous acetite, and feem the

fitted

Blacks Elements of Chemijlry .

187

fitted for enabling us to judge whether the acetous
acid can be fuperoxygenated.’

We lhall conclude our extracts from this admirabl
work with the author’s obfervations with regard to
the medical hiftory of arfenic, as they may both be of
confiderable practical utility, and will alfo ferve to
Ihew the very iimple but perl'picuous ftylein which the
lebtures were compofed.

Having confidered arfenic as an objeCt of chemillry.
Dr. Black proceeds to remark, that c The knowledge
of this mineral is neceffary to the phylician, both on
account of its great efficacy in the cure of fome difeafes,
when it is properly ufed, and alfo on account of its
noxious powers, in confequence of which it is fome-
times given with the mod criminal intentions. In fuch
cafes, the phylician is called in to affift in forming ajudg-
ment whether arfenic has actually been given or not.

c It has long been one of the fecret remedies employ*
ed by fome empirical practitioners, externally, for
the cure of cancers, and other obftinate ulcers ; and,
internal ly, for the cure of intermittent and other fevers.
And the antient phylicians, in fome of their prescrip¬
tions, employed fome of the natural compounds of ar¬
fenic and fulphur. In later times, the firft example of its
being publicly recommended as a remedy for the cure
of fevers, is in the Memoirs of the Academy at Mentz,
for the year 1757, by a Dr. Jacobi. But we are moll
indebted to Dr. Fowler for his late accurate trials of
it. They were conducted in the moll judicious man¬
ner, to fecure exaClnefs in the dofe, and to afcertain
the efficacy of the medicine ; and they are related fa
fully and circumltantially, that they give complete in¬
formation and fatisfaftion with refpeft to every par¬
ticular that is moll interefting in the ufe of this power¬
ful remedy. A better plan cannot be contrived for
afcertaining the powers and ules of the medicines we
employ.

Q 4 c Fhyficians

188 Black V Elements of Chemijlry .

< Phyfic ians and furgeons are fometimes called upon,
in cafes of fuppofed murder by arfenic, to give their
opinion; and the queftions commonly put to them
are thefe :

* I . Whether the appearances orfymptoms obferved
in the dying and dead perfon give reafon to conclude
that they were killed with arfenic?

c 2. Whether certain drugs or powders which were
given to the dead perfon, or mixed with his food, and
a part of which are committed to the phyfician to
be examined, be arfenic, or contain arfenic?

* It is necefiary to be cautious in giving our anfwer
to the firft queftion, which feldom admits of a perfect¬
ly decifive anfwer, if the prefumption of poifon refts on
the fymptoms alone ; the fymptoms produced by arfe¬
nic being not unlike to thofe which appear in fome
difeafes, fuch as the cholera. But thefe fymptoms may
add to the proof which may arife from other evidence.

" The fymptoms produced by a dangerous dofe of
arfenic begin to appear in a quarter of an hour, or not
much longer, after it is taken. Firft, ftcknefs, and
great diftrefs at the ftomach, foon followed by thirft,
and burning heat in the bowels. Then come on
violent vomiting, and fevere colic pains, and excef-
five and painful purging. This brings on faintings,
with cold fweats, and other figns of great debility.
To this fucceed painful cramps, and contractions of the
legs and thighs, and extreme weaknefs, and death.

"After death, the inteftines are found inflamed and
corroded ; and fometimes inflammations and erofions
of the anus happen before death,

c In examining the dead body, we muft take care
that we be not deceived by the diflolution of the fto¬
mach by the gaftric liquor, and account it an indica¬
tion of arfenic.

‘ If we actually find arfenic in the ftomach or intef¬
tines, or in the drugs or other fufpeCted matters which
were given to the dead perfon, we can give a decifive
anfwer to thefe two queftions. But we muft make

ourfelve^

Blacks Elements of Chemijiry . 189

• . v. 4 - * t 1

ourfelves fare that what we judge to be arfenic is
really fo.

‘ We muft, therefore, take care to be well acquainted
with the qualities of arfenic, by which it is diftinguifh-
able from ail other fubftances. And its diflinftive
properties are thefe :

4 Imo, It is a heavy fubftance, which may therefore
be feparated by fkilfal elutriation from animal or vege¬
table matter with which it may happen to be mixed
in the bowels or in the drugs. Elutriation is com¬
monly performed with water; but if the arfenic is
mixed with oily or refinous drugs, it may be perform¬
ed with alcohol. In examining the dead body, there¬
fore, it may be proper to wafh out the whole contents
of the ftomach and bowels into a balm of water, and
then, by careful elutriation, to try if any arfenic can.
be found in them. And in examining the drugs, if they
are a mixture of different ingredients, we muft dilute
or diffolve them, by grinding them a little with water
orfpirits, and then elutriate.

4 2 do, Arfenic, befides being a heavy fubftance, is
volatile. When heated on a red hot iron, it evapo¬
rates totally before it be red hot, and goes off in white
frnoke.

c 3 tidy It is eafly metallized by mixing it with three
times its weight of the black flux, and heating the mix¬
ture in a tube.

* 4 to. In this metallized ftate, it eafily penetrates cop¬
per, when aflifted by heat, and gives to the copper
a whitifh colour like that of lead or tin. It muft be
made of a dull red heat. This will completely diffipate
corrofive fublimate, or other things which can whiten
copper.

4 5tof In its metallized ftate, if it be fuddenly heated
to a fufficient degree on a red hot iron, it takes fire,
and burns with a flame, from which arifes a fmoke,
which is white arfenic. Or, if the iron be not fufficient-
ly hot to make it take fire, it limply evaporates, and
gives vapours which have an odour like that of garlic.

The

190 Black V Elements of Chemifry,

The fame odour is perceived, if we mix white arfenic
with an equal weight of charcoal dull, and throw a
little of the mixture on a burning coal, or on iron
ftrongly heated, fo as to fet the charcoal dull on fire.
This experiment has been often mifunderftood.

4 Having had occafionfome time ago to exercife myfelf
in thefe experiments, and to try with how fmali a
quantity of arfenic they might be made, 1 found I
was able, by means of a fmali tube, to get metallized
arfenic from one grain weight of white arfenic ; and
with this metallized arfenic I made the other experi¬
ments.

4 Remedies to fave , if poJJible> the life of a perfon who

has taken Arfenic.

€ The frit fymptoms which the arfenic produces fliew
plainly, that, for fome time after it is taken, it afts on
the ftomach and inteftines as an highly irritating, in¬
flammatory, corrofive fubftance. But if the patient
furvives the flrfl violent effedfs, the poifon being
evacuated out of the bowels, the fymptoms which ap¬
pear afterwards are thofe of excefhve debility, and a
great irritability of the intedinal canal, and of the
whole fyftem. The degree of debility is particularly
remarkable. If not only is evident from the languor,
didrefs,.snd feeblenefs of the patient, but alfo from
the date of the pulfe. I never felt a ire feeble pulfe
than that of a perfon in this fituation. All this is at¬
tended with a fort of paralytic affection of the limbs,
and a degree of marafmus.

4 The method commonly recommended to fave the
life of the perfon in the firft of thefe dates is, to give
plenty of milk and oil, as obtunding remedies, and
which help to wafli and carry off the arfenic out of the
infedines, while vomiting and purging continue.

4 A better praftice, however, might be fubdituted
for this. Arfenic, being a heavy fubdance, is not
eafily walked out by milk, and it may probably coa¬
gulate the milk by its acidity. Oil will not mix with
it after it is wet. I fliould prefer mucilage, taken in

large

Philofophical Tranf actions for 1803. Part I. 191

large quantities; andifitdonot pafs off quickly, I would
promote its paffage by means of a purgative, fuch as
Glauber’s fait, or fal catharticus amarus. A friend of
mine once gave whites of eggs with fuccefs.

f In the fecond ftage of the diforders produced by
arfenic, which is commonly of long duration, a mild
diet of milk is proper. The frequent ufe of opiates,
to relieve from conftant diftrefs, and after fome time
eledlricity, are very ferviceable. De Haen found
eledlricity one of the bell remedies for the cure of the
diforders occafioned by lead. Mineral waters have
been recommended, especially the fulphurous waters ;
and to imitate thefe, hepar fulphuris diffolved in water
may be employed. But this pradtice is founded upon
projedf and fpeculation, not upon experience.’

Art, XXII. Philofophical Tranfactions of the Royal
Society of London for the Year 1803. Part L,
4to. 276 Pages, price 12s. 6d. London. Nicol.

AS is our cuftom, we fhall notice at length fuch
papers in the colledlion before us as are likely
to prove interefting to medical readers ; confining our*
felves to the titles merely of the remainder.

Art . 5. Obfervations on the Chemical Nature of the
Humours of the Eye: by FJchard Chenevix, Efq.9
E.R.S , Sc. Read Nov. 5, 1802.

c The fundlions of the eye/ Mr. Chenevix obferves,
* fo far as they are phyfical, have been found fubjedt
to the common laws of optics. It cannot be expedled
that chemiftry (hould clear up fuch obfcure points of
phyfiology, as all the operations of vifion appear to be;
but fome acquaintance with the intimate nature of
the fubllances which produce the effedls cannot fail to
be a ufeful appendage to a knowledge of the mecha¬
nical ilrudlure of the organ.

‘ The

192 Philofophical Tran factions for 1803. Part I.

4 The chemical hiftory of the humours of the eye is
not of much extent. The aqueous humour had been
examined by Bertrandi , who faid that its fpecific gra¬
vity was 975. and therefore lefs than that of diddled

j **

water. Fourcroy , in his Syflhne cles Conn off once $
chimiq.it es , tells us that it has a faltifli tafte ; that it
evaporates without leaving a refiduum ; but that it
contains fome animal matter, with fome alkaline
phofphate and muriate. Thefe contradictions only
prove, that we have no accurate knowledge upon the
fubjedh

4 The vitreous humour is not better known. Win-
tringham has given its fpecific gravity (taking water
at 10000) as equal to 10024: but I am not acquainted
with any experiments to inveftigate its chemical na¬
ture.

We are told by Chrouet, that the cryftalline lens
affords, by deftrudlive diftiilation, fetid oil, carbonate
of ammonia, and water, leaving fome carbon in the
retort. But deftrudtive diftiilation, although it has
given us much knowledge as to animal matter in ge¬
neral, is too vague a method for inveftigating parti¬
cular animal fubilances.

4 I (hall now proceed to mention the experiments I
have made upon all the humours. I fhall ftrft relate
thofe which were made upon the eyes of ilieep (they
being the moft eaftly procured), and fhall afterwards
fpeak of thofe of the human body, and other eyes. I
think it right to obferve, that all thefe eyes were as
frefh as they could be obtained.

4 Sheep’s Eyes. Aqueous humour . — The aqueous
humour is a dear tranfparent liquid, of the fpecific
gravity of 10090,* at 60 degrees of Fahrenheit. When
frefh, it has very little frnell or tafte.

i ' r

‘ * All thefe fpecific gravities are mean proportionals of feveral
experiments. The eyes of the fame fpecies of animal do not differ
much in the fpecific gravity of their humours.

4 It

Philofophical Tranfactions for 1803. Part I. 193

£ It caufes very little change in the vegetable re¬
active colours ; and this little would not, I believe,
be produced immediately after death, 1 imagine it
to be owing to a generation of ammonia, forne traces
of which I difcovered.

c When expofed to the air, at a moderate tempera¬
ture, it evaporates flovvly, and becomes flightly pu¬
trid.

* When made to boil, a coagulum is formed, but
fo fin all as hardly to be perceptible. Evaporated to
drynefs, a refiduum remains, weighing not more than
8 per cent, of the original liquor.

c Tannin caufes a precipitate in the frefh aqueous
humour, both before and alter it has been boiled, and
confequently fhows the prefence of gelatine,

4 Nitrate of filver caufes a precipitate, which is
muriate of filver. No metallic falts, except thofe of
filver, alter the aqueous humour.

* From thefe and other experiments it appears that
the aqueous humour is compofed of water, albumen,
gelatine, and a muriate, the balls of which i found to
be foda*

‘ I have omitted fpeaking of the aflion of the acids,
of the alkalis, of alcohol, and of other re-agents, upon
this humour. It is fuch as may be expended in a fo-
lution of albumen, of gelatine, and of muriate of
Tod a.

e Cryftalline humour . To follow the order of their
fiiuation, the next of the humours is the cryftalline.

4 This differs very materially from the others.

* Its (pacific gravity is 1 1000.

‘ When frefh, it is neither acid nor alkaline. It
putrifies very rapidly. It is nearly all loluble in cold
water, but is partly coagulated by heat. Tannin gives
a very abundant precipitate; but 1 could not perceive
any traces of muriatic acid when I had obtained the
cryftalline quite free from the other humours. It is
compofed, therefore, of a final ler proportion of water

than

194 Philo fophical Tran] actions for 1803. Part L

than the others, but of a much larger proportion of
albumen and gelatine.

* Vitrtous humour. I preffed the vitreous humour
through a rag, in order to free it from its capfules;
and in that fiate, by all the experiments I could make
upon it, I could not perceive any difference between
it and the aqueous humour, either in its fpecific gra«
vity (which I found to be 10090, like that of the
other), or in its chemical nature.

€ M. Fourcroy mentions a phofphate, as contained
in thefe humours ; but I could not perceive any pre¬
cipitation by muriate or nitrate of lime; nor did the
alkalis denote the prefence of any earth, notwithfiand-
ing M. Fourcroy1 s aflertion of that fact.

6 Human Eye. I could not procure a fufficient
quantity of thefe frefh enough to multiply my experi¬
ments upon them. However, by the affi fiance of
Mr. Carpue , furgeon to his Majefiy’s forces, I fully
convinced rhyfelf that the humours of the human eye,
chemically confidered, did not contain any thing dif¬
ferent from the refpeflive humours of the eyes 1 had
examined. The aqueous and vitreous humours con¬
tained water, albumen, gelatine, and muriate of foda ;
and the cryfialline humour contained only water, al¬
bumen, and gelatine. The fpecific gravity of the
aqueous and vitreous humours 1 found to be 10053,
while that of the cryfialline was 10790.

6 Eyes of Oxen. I found the eyes of oxen to
contain the fame fubflances as the refpefiive humours
of other eyes. The fpecific gravity of the aqueous
and vitreous humours is 10088, and that of the cryfial¬
line 10765.

6 What is particularly worthy of notice is, that the dif¬
ference which appears to exifi between the fpecific gra¬
vity of the aqueous or vitreous humour and that of the
cryfialline, is much greater* in the human eye than in
that of fheep, and lefs in the eye of the ox. Hence it
would appear, that the difference between the denfity
of the aqueous and vitreous humour and that of the

cryfialline.

Philofophical Tran factions for 1803, Part I. 195

cryfttdline, is in the inverfe ratio of the diameter of the
eye, taken from the cornea to the optic nerve. Should
further experiments (how this to be a univerfal law in
nature, it will not be poiTible to deny that it is in fome
degree defigned for the purpofe of promoting diftind
vifion.

‘ In taking the fpecific gravity of the aqueous and
vitreous humours, no particular precaution is neceffa-
ry3 except that they ought to be as frefh as poflible.
But the cryftalline humour is not of an uniform denfity
throughout ; it is therefore effential that attention be
given to preferve that humour entire for this opera¬
tion. I found the weight of a very frefh cryftalline of
an ox to be 30 grains; and its fpecific gravity was, as I
before ftated, 10765. I then pared away all the ex¬
ternal part, in every direction, till there remained but
6 grains of the centre ; and the fpecific gravity of
thefe 6 grains I found to be 11940. From this, it
would feem that the denfity increafes gradually, from
the circumference to the centre.

* It is not furprifing that the cryftalline humour
ihouid be fubjed to diforders, it being wholly com~
pofed of animal matter of the mo ft peri (liable kind, — -
.Fourcroij fays, that it is fo'me times found offeous in
advanced age. Albumen is coagulated by many me¬
thods ; and, if we fuppofe that the fame changes
can take place in the living eye as in the dead animal
matter of the chemifts, it will be eafy to account for
the formation of the catarad; a diforder which cannot
be cured but by the removal of the opaque lens, if a
fufficient number of obfervations were made refped-
ing the frequency of the catarad in gouty habits, fome
important conclufions might be drawn as to the in¬
fluence of phofphoric acid in caufing the diforder, by
the common effed of acids, in coagulating albumen..’

Art. 7. 4 Obfervations on the Structure of the

Tongue ; illuf rated by Cafes in which a Portion of

that

196 Philofophical Tran factions for 1803. Part 1.

that Organ has been removed by Ligature : by Everard
Home, Lfq.} F.B.S. Read Feb. 3, 1803.

4 Phyfiological inquiries have ever been confidered
as deferving the attention of this learned Society; and
whenever medical pra61itioners, in the treatment of
difeafes, have met with any circumllance which threw
light upon the natural flru&ure or actions of any of the
organs of the human body, or thofe of other animals,
their communications have met with a favourable re¬
ception.

* The following obfervations derive their real im¬
portance from offering a fafe and effectual means of
removing a portion of the tongue, when that organ
has taken on a difeafed action, the cure of which is
not within the reach of medicine; and as the tongue,
like many other glandular ftruflures, is liable to be
affefled by cancer, it becomes of no fmall importance
that the fa£t (hould be generally known. In a phyfio¬
logical view, they tend to fhow, that the internal
ftru£lure of the tongue is not of that delicate and fen-
fible nature, which, from its being the organ of tafte,
we fhould be led to imagine.

4 The tongue is made up of fafciculi of mufcular
fibres, with an intermediate fubflance met with in no
other part of the body, and a vaft number of fmail
glands : it has large nerves palling through it, and the
tip poffeffes great feniibility, fitting it for the purpofc
of tafle.

4 Whether the fenfe oftafle is confined entirely to the
point of the tongue, and the other parts are made up
-of mufcles fitted for giving it motion ; or whether the
whole tongue is to be confidered as the organ, and
the foft matter which pervades its fubflance, and
fills the interflices between the fafciculi of mufcular
.fibres, is to be confidered as conne£ted with fenfation,
has not, I believe, beejn afcertained.

4 The tongue, throughout its fubflance, has always
been confidered by phyfiologifls as a very delicate or¬
gan ; and it was believed, that any injury committed

upon

Pliilofophical Tranfactiom for 1803. Parti. 197

opon it would not only produce great local irritation*
but alfo affeft, in a violent degree, the general fyftem
of the body. This was ray own opinion, till 1 met with
the following cafe, the circumftances of which induced
me to fee this organ in a different point of view.

c A gentleman, by an accident which it is unneceffary
to defcribe, had his tongue bitten with great violence.
The immediate effeft of the injury was great local
pain ; but it was not attended with much fwelling of
the tongue itfelf, nor any other fymptom, except that
the point of the tongue entirely loft its fenfibility,
which deprived it of the power of tafte : whatever
fubftance the patient ate was equally inftpid. This
alarmed him very much, and induced him to ftate to
me the circumftances of his cafe, and requeft my
opinion. I examined the tongue, a fortnight after the
accident. It had the natural appearance, but the tip
was completely infenfible, and was like a piece of
board in his mouth, rendering the aft: of eating a very
unpleafant operation. I faw him three months after¬
wards, and it was ftill in nearly the fame ftate.

* From this cafe it appears, that the tongue itfelf is
not particularly irritable ; but the nerves pafling
through its fubftance to fupply the tip, which forms
the organ of tafte, are very readily deprived of their
natural aftion : this probably arifes from their being
fofter in texture than nerves in general, and, in that
refpeft, refembling thofe belonging to the other
organs of fenfe.

( There was another circumftance in this cafe which
very particularly ftruck my attention, viz. that a bruife
upon the nerves of the tongue, fufficient to deprive
them of the power of communicating fenfation, was
produ6Iive of no inflammation or irritation in the nerv¬
ous trunk, fo as to induce fpafms, which too com¬
monly occur from injuries to the nerves belonging to
voluntary mufcles. I am therefore led to believe,
that the nerves fupply ing an organ of fenfe are not

VOL. X. R fo

198 Philo fophical Tran factions for 1803, Parti.

fo liable to fuch effefls as thofe which belong to the
other parts of the body.

> The fmall degree of mifchief which was produced,
and the readinefs with which the nerves had their
communication completely cut off, were to me new
fa£ls, and encouraged me, in the following cafe' o!
fungous excrefcence from the tongue, which bled fo
profufely as at times to endanger the patient’s file,
and never allowed him to arrive at a fiate of tolerable
health, to attempt removing the part by ligature.

6 John IV oyiJiouth) eight years of age, was admitted
into St. George’s Hofpital, on the 24th of December,
1800, on account of a fungous excrefcence on the
right fide of the anterior part of the tongue, which
extended nearly from the outer edge to the middle
line at the tip. It appeared, from the account of his
relations, that the origin of this fungus exifted at his
birth, and had been increafing ever finee. He had
been a vear and a half under the care of the late Mr.

- Cruikjhank , who had removed the excrefcence by
ligature round its bafe; but, when the ligature drop-
ped off, a violent haemorrhage took place, and the ex¬
crefcence gradually returned. Attempts were made
to deftroy it by cauftic ; but haemorrhage always
followed the feparation of the Houghs ; fo that, after
ten trials, this mode was found ineffe£lual. It was
alfo removed by the knife ten different times, but
always returned.

c From this hiftory I was led to believe, that the
only mode of removing the difeafe was taking out
the portion of the tongue upon which it grew. This 1
was a cafe in which I felt myfelf warranted in making
an attempt out of the common line of praflice, to
give the patient a chance of recovery ; and, from the
preceding cafe, having found that preffure on one
part of the tongue produced no bad confequences on
the other parts, I was led to remove the excrefcence
in the following manner.

Philo fophical Tran factions for 1803. ' Part I. 199

. * On the 28th of December, I made the boy hold
out his tongue, and palled a crooked needle* armed
with a double ligature, directly through its fubftance,
immediately beyond the excrefcence. The needle
was brought out below, leaving the ligatures: one of
thefe was tied very tight before the excrefcence, the
other equally fo beyond it, fo that a fegment of the
tongue was confined between thefe two ligatures, in
which the circulation was completely flopped. The
tongue was thin in its fubftance ; and the boy com¬
plained of little pain during the operation. . Thirty
drops of laudanum were given to him immediately
after it, and he was put to bed. He fell aileep, con¬
tinued to doze the greater part of the day, and wasfoeafy
the next day as to require no particular attention. On
the fifth day from the operation, the portion of tongue
came away with the ligatures, leaving a fioughy fur-»
face, which was thrown off' on the eleventh day, and
was fucceeded by a fimilar flough : this feparated on
the fifteenth day. The excavation after this gradually
filled up ; and on the twentieth day it was completely
cicatrized, leaving only a fmall fifture on that fide of
the tongue. '

‘ Encouraged by the refult of this cafe, I was Jed to
perform a fimilar operation upon a perfon at a more
advanced period of life.

4 Margaret Dalton , forty years of age, was admitted
into St. George’s Hofpital, on the 25th of December,
1801, on account of a tumour, the fize of a pea, fituated
on the right fide of the tongue, near its edge. The
biftory of the cafe was as follows. A fmall pimple
appeared, and gradually increafed, without pain: the
only inconvenience was, that it afie£led her fpeech,
and, when bruifed by the teeth, bled freely.

4 The operation was performed on the 11th of Ja¬
nuary, 1802, in exactly the fame manner as has been al¬
ready defcribed. It produced a confiderable degree
qf falivation, which was extremely troublefome (much
more fo than the pain the ligatures produced), and

R 2 continued

200 Phiiofophical Tranf actions for 1803, Part. L

continued till the Hough came away. The ligature
neareft the root of the tongue feparated on the fixth
dar ; the other on the feventh ; and, in three days
after the reparation of the fecond ligature, the wound
was completely ikinned over.

f A third cafe of this kind came under my obferva-
tion, in which there was a fmall tumour in the fub~
fiance of the tongue, about the lize of a pea, which
gave me the idea of its being of that kind which might
terminate in cancer. The patient was a gentleman
of about 41 years of age. Upon examining the
tumour, 1 told him of my alarm refpefting its nature;
and at the fame time added, that I was very ready to re¬
move it, fihould it be the opinion of other pra£ti?
tioners that fuch a ftep was advifeable ; and my ex¬
perience in two former cafes led me to believe it
might be done with fafety. I therefore advifed him
to confult other medical pra£litioners of reputation,
-and acquaint me with their opinion. Mr. Cline
was confulted, and his opinion coincided with mine ;
which made the patient decide upon having the tu¬
mour removed.

c The operation was performed on the 28th of
December 1802. The needle pierced the tongue an
inch beyond the tip, a little to the right of the middle
line of the tongue ; and the fpace between the two
ligatures, when they were tied at the circumference
of the tongue, was fully an inch. The tongue was
thick, and the niafs included by the ligatures was
fuch as to make it difficult to comprefs it. The ope¬
ration gave confiderable pain, of a numbing kind.
Immediately after the operation, the part included
became dark coloured, particularly towards the mid-
die line of the tongue. A falivation took place. The
next day, the pain and falivation were great, and the
patient could not fwallow; but, on the day following,
he could take broth, negus, and other fluids.

s On the fixth day from the operation, the flough
became loofe, and the leaf!; motion of the tongue'
gave great pain. Upon examining the flough,

there

Philofophical Tran] actions for 1803. Part I. 201

there was a fmall fpot which looked red, and was fur-
rounded by a dark furface : this was towards the
right fide. Upon further examination it appeared,
that the ligature to the right had not completely deaden¬
ed the part at the centre, in which the artery had
its courfe. This accounted for the red fpot, as well
as for the pain the patient fuffered ; and led me, on
the feventh day, to difengage the ligature on the
left (which was aimoft completely feparated) by
means of a pair of fciffors, and pafs another ligature
through the groove to the oppoftte fide, and tie it over
the part not completely deadened. This gave great
pain for a few hours, which was relieved by the ufe
of tindture of opium. On the eighth day, the patient
had lefs pain than on any preceding day, and lefs fa-
livation ; and, on the ninth, the whole Hough came
away. On the thirteenth, the tongue had fo much
recovered itfelf, that there did not appear any lofs of
fubftance whatever, only a fiflure of half an inch in
depth, in the anterior part of it ; and, as that now feem-
ed to be exadtly in the centre* there was not the fmall-
eft deformity.

* The preceding cafes, in the view which it is intend¬
ed to take in the prefent Paper, are to be confidered
as fo many experiments, by which the ftrudture of the
tongue is in fome refpedts afcertained : they enable us
to draw the following conclufions.

c The internal ftrudture of tne tongue is lefs irritable
than aimoft any other organized part of the body j
therefore, the peculiar fubftance which is interpofed
between the lafciculi of its mufcular fibres is not in
any refpedt connected with the nerves which pafs
through its fubftance to the organ of tafte, but is mere¬
ly a foft medium, to admit of great facility of adtion
in its different parts.

4 The nerves of the tongue appear to be more
readily compreffed, and deprived of their power of
communicating fenfation, than nerves in general ;
and any injury done to them is not produdtive of
difeafed action in the trunk of the injured nerve.

R 3 4 If

( „ . I f 4 i . - ;? . . >

202 Philofophical Tranf actions for 1803. Parti.

‘ If we compare the cffefts of compreffion upon a
portion of the tongue with thofe of a limilar compref-'
fion upon the hsemorrhoidal veins when they form
piles, or thofe of the tefticle in cafes of varicous veins
of the fpermatic chord, which not only produce very
violent local inflammation, but alfo a confiderable de¬
gree of fymptomatic fever, it is impoflible not to be
jfurprifed that the refults fhould be fo very different;
fmce we are led to believe, upon a general principle,
that parts are fenfible in proportion to their vafcula-
rity, and that all the organs of fenfe, when inflamed,
are more exquifitely fo than any other parts of the
body.

‘ The tongue appears to have a power of throwing
off its Houghs in a fhorter time than any other part.
Eight or nine days is the ordinary time of a flough
feparating from the common parts; in the boy’s
tongue it was only five.

* Having Hated the information we derive from thefe
cafes refpefting the flrti6fure, fenfibility, and irritabi¬
lity, of the tongue, it now remains to mention the
advantage to be derived from them in a profeffional
view ; and although this is not direftly in the line of
the purfuits of this learned Society, yet fo Hrongly
is it connected with humanity, that it cannot be faid
to be foreign to them, or undeferving their attention.

‘ The information derived from thefe cafes ena¬
bles us to attempt, with fafety, the, removal of any
part of the tongue which may have taken on a dif-
pofition to become cancerous. As this difeafe in the
tongue always begins in a very fmall portion of that
organ, it is, in the early ftage, more within the reach
of removal than when in any other part of the body ;
and, as the glands of the tongue are independent "of
each other, the cancerous difpofition by which one
of them is attacked does not fo readily com¬
municate ittelf to the others; and the part
may be removed with a greater degree of fecu-
nty bgainft a future recurrence of the difeafe, than

' : ' in

Philofophical Tranf actions for 1803. Part I. 203

in other cafes where this malady attacks a portion of
a large gland, the whole of which may be under the
influence of the poifon, long before there is any ap¬
pearance of its being difeafed.’

' ' * * p- r »

Art. 9. An Account of fome Experiments and
Obfervations on the covjtituent Parts of certain aftring -
ent Vegetables ; and on their Operation in Tanning ;
bp Humphry Davy, Efq., Profejfor of Chemijlry in
the Royal Inftitution . Read Feb, 24, 1803.

This is a paper of confiderable importance, both
to the chemiit and to the manufacturer. Our limits,
as well as the nature of the fubjeCl, confine us to a
brief notice of it. The difcovery made by M. Seguin,
of a peculiar vegetable matter which is eflentiai to
the tanning of {kin, and which is pofifeflfed of the pro¬
perty of precipitating gelatine from its folutions, has
added confiderably to our knowledge of the conftituent
parts of aftringent vegetables.

Mr. Prouft has invefligated many of the properties
of this fubftance ^ but, though his labours, and thofe
of other chemiffs, have led to various intereifing ob¬
fervations, yet they are far from having exhaufled
the fubjeCt. The affinities of tannin have been hither¬
to very little examined , and the manner in which
its a&ion upon animal matters is modified by combi¬
nation with other fubflances has been fcarcely at all
iludied.

The chief defign of the author was, the elu®
cidation of the praClical part of the art of tanning ;
but, in purfuing it, he was neceffarily led to general
chemical inquiries concerning the analyfis of the dif¬
ferent vegetable fubftances containing tannin, and
their peculiar properties.

The fubftances that have been fuppofed to exiffi
mod generally in aftringent infufions are, tannin, gal¬
lic acid, and extractive matter. The prefence of tan¬
nin in an infufion is denoted by the precipitate it forms
with the folution of glue, or of ifinglafs. And, when

R 4 this

204 Philofophical Tranf actions for 1803. Parti.

this principle is wholly feparated, if the remaining li¬
quor gives a dark colour with the oxygenated falts of
iron, and an immediate precipitate with the folutions of
alum and of muriate of tin, it is believed to contain gal¬
lic acid, and extractive matter.

500 grains of good Aleppo galls gave by infufion
and evaporation 185 grains of folid matter, which, on
analyfis, appeared to confift

grains

Of tannin ---------- 130

Of mucilage, and matter rendered infallible
by evaporation - - - - ----'12

Of gallic acid, with a little extractive matter - 31

Remainder, calcareous earth and faline matter 12

The fame quantity of Catechu, or Terra Japonica,
furniftied only 41 grains of folid matter, which con¬
fided of 34 grains of tannin, and 7 grains of a peculiar
extra£tive matter.

Different barks, and other vegetable fubdances,
were alfo examined. In every adringent bark, the
interior white bark (that is, the part next to the alburnum )
contains the larged quantity of tannin. An ounce of
the white cortical layers of old oak bark furnifhed, by
infudon and evaporation, 108 grains of folid matter 3
and of this, 72 grains were tannin.

An ounce of the interior bark of the Spanith chef-
nut tree gave 89 grains of folid matter, containing
63 grains of tannin.

The fame quantity of the fame part of the bark of
the Leiceder willow produced 117 grains, of which 79
were tannin.

An ounce of the coloured, or external cortical layers
from the oak, produced 43 grains of folid matter, of
which 19 were tannin.

From the Spanith cbefnut, 41 grains, of which 14
were tannin.

And from the Leiceder willow, 34 grains, of which
16 were tannin.

> An.

PhilofophicalTranf actions for 1803. Fart I. 205

An ounce of the bark of the elm furnifhed 13 grains
of tannin.

The fame quantity of the bark of the common
willow gave 1 1 grains.

Sumach produced 165 grains of extraCt, 78 grains
of which were tannin. Myrobalans alfo were found
to poflefs this principle in confiderabie abundance.

An ounce of fouchong tea gave 48 grains of tan¬
nin : the fame quantity of green tea gave 41 grains.

Very little tannin is found in cinchona, or in the
other barks fuppofed to be poflefled of febrifuge pro¬
perties. None of the infufions of the ftrongly bitter
vegetable fubftances that were examined gave any
precipitate to gelatine. Tannin is found in abun¬
dance in thejuice of floes, and it is alfo contained in
port wine, and probably in all vegetable fubftances
poffeffed of the aftringent tafte.

In the procefs of tanning, the tannin enters into che¬
mical combination with the fldn, forming with it an in-
foluble compound. There is no reafon to believe,
with M. Seguin, that gallic acid is abforbed at the
fame time. When the aftringent infuflon contains,
betides tannin, extractive matters, portions of thefe
alfo combine with the (kin. c The different qualities
of leather made with the fame kind of (kin feem to
depend very much upon the different quantities of
extractive matter it contains. The leather obtained
by means of infuflon of galls is generally found hard¬
er, and more liable to crack, than the leather obtain¬
ed from the infufions of barks; and, in all cafes, it
contains a much larger proportion of tannin, and a
frnaller proportion of extractive matter.

‘ When fldn is very flowly tanned in weak folutions
of the barks, or of catechu, it combines with a con-
flderable proportion of extractive matter; and, in
thefe cafes, though the increafe of weight of the fldn
is comparatively fmall, yet it is rendered perfectly
infoluble in water, and is found foft, and at the fame
time throng.

‘■The

£06 Philofophical Tran factions for 1803. Part L

‘ The faturated aftringent infufions of barks con¬
tain much lefs extractive matter, in proportion fa
their tannin, than the weak infufions ; and, wdien fk i p>
is quickly tanned in them, common experience (hows
that it produces leather lefs durable than the leather
fiowly formed.

f Befides, in the cafe of quick tanning by means of
infufions of barks, a quantity of vegetable extraftive
matter is loft to the manufacturer, which might have
been made to enter into the compofition of his leather.
Thefe obfervations fhow, that there is fome foundation
for the vulgar opinion of workmen, concerning what
is technically called the feeding of leather in the flow
method of tanning ; and, though the proceffes of the
art may in fome cafes be protracted for an unneceffary
length of time, yet, in general, they appear to have
arrived, in confequence of repeated practical experi¬
ments, at a degree of perfection which cannot be very
far extended by means of any elucidations of theory
that have as yet been made known.’

4 It is evident, from the experiments detailed in the
third feCtion, that, of all the aftringent fubftances which
have been as yet examined, catechu is that which con¬
tains the largeft proportion of tannin ; and in fuppcf-
ing, according to the common eftimation, that from
four to five pounds of common oak bark are required
to produce one pound of leather, it appears, from the
various fynthetical experiments, that about half a
pound of catechu would anfwer the fame purpofe.*

6 Alfo, allowing for the difference in the compofition
of the different kinds of leather, it appears, from the ge¬
neral detail of faffs, that one pound of catechu, for the
common ufes of the tanner, would be nearly equal in
value to pounds of galls, to pounds of the bark

4 * This eftimation agrees very well with the experiments lately made
hv Mr. Purkis , upon the tanning powers of Bombay catechu in the pro-
■ ceifes of manufacture# and which he has permitted me to mention
Mr. Purl'is found, by the refults of different accurate experiments, that
one |)ound of catechu was equivalent r.o fevea or eight of oak bark.

Duncans’ Annals of Medicine, for 1802. 207

of the Leicefter willow, to 1 1 pounds of the bark
,-of the Spanilh chefnut, to 18 pounds of the bark of
the elm, to 21 pounds of the bark of the common
willow, and to 3 pounds of fumach.

‘ Various menftruupas have been propofed for the
purpofe of expediting and improving the procefs of
tanning, and, among!! them, lime- water and the folu-
tions of pearl -afh : but, as thefe two fubftances form
compounds with tannin which are not decompofable
by gelatine, it follows that their effects muft be highly
pernicious ; and there is very little reafon to fuppofe,
that any bodies will be found which, at the fame ,
time that they increafe the folubility of tannin in
water, will1 not like wife diminiih its attraction for
ikind

The titles of the remaining articles, not requiring
particular notice here, are as follow : 1. On horizon¬
tal BefrqBion , by Dr. Wollafton. 2. Chemical
Analyfis of jome Calamines , by Mr. Smithfon. 3.
On the Quantity of Cafes ahjbrbahle by Water , by
Mr. W. Henry. 4. On the Alloys of Gold , by
Mr. Hatchett. 6. On Stones Jaid to have fallen
from the Clouds , by Mr. Grevijle. 8. . On , the
Tr unfit of Mercury, by Dr. Herfehell.

Art. XXIII. Annals of Medicine, for the Year 1802.
Exhibiting a concife View of the latejl and mo ft
important l)i fcoveri.es in Medicine and Medical
Philofophy. By Andrew Duncan, Sen. and
A. Du nc an, Jun., M.D.D. , Fellows of the Boyal
College of Phyjicians, Edinburgh. Yol. II, Luf-
triim II. 8vo. 52 6 Pages, price 8s. Edinburgh,
1803, Robinsons, London.

■\ *

r"M ^HE volume before us, befides the u.fual analyfis
JL of medical publications* contains a confiderable
number of valuable original communications from re-

fpefl.

208

Duncans* Annals of Medicine , for 1802.

fpe&able pra&itioners, and which we proceed to
notice in order.

The firft article is a continuation, from the laft
volume of the Annals of Medicine , of Dr, Sherzven’s
Obfervations on Bilious Diforders The proximate
caufe of all thefe the author fuppofes to confift in an
excited ftate of the liver, fometimes attended with
fever, fometimes with vomiting and purging, and
notunfrequently by all the three at the fame time. Al¬
though he deems it good pra£tice to clear the primae
vise from their bilious contents, he thinks all irritating
emetics ought to be avoided. ‘ The natives are in
general,* Dr. S. remarks, c free from the bilious re¬
mitting fever, except in the moft unhealthy feafons,
when it appears more like an intermittent, which
they cure by a fedulous abftinence. Till an inclina¬
tion for food returns, they indulge their fick with lit¬
tle or nothing but a pot of cold water, which is placed
near them ; and they are left to the care of nature and
this excellent medicine. How happy might many a
patient in England think himfelf, if he was treated
in the fame manner ! They are permitted to drink
the cold water ad libitum ; and when they are by
this regimen much reduced, and the fever abated^
their phyficiansadminifter a powder, of which 1 gained
no other information than that it was extremely nau-
feous and bitter.5

The chief means of cure in thefe fevers, as here
pointed out, confift in evacuating the bilious matters,
in removing the fever by fmall dofes of emetic tartar,
Jarge draughts of faline mixture, anodynes, and the
Peruvian bark ; and in mitigating the moft urgent
iymptoms. None of the ordinary means appeared to
the author to have any effeft in curing thejbilious flux,
or dyfentery : palliation alone was all that he could
effect. The fick in general, however, recovered after
a timfe.

2. ‘ Obr

* See page 213 of our laft volume.

Duncans’ Annals of Medicine , for 1802. 209

2. ‘ Observations on the Duration and Courfe of
Fever in Britain, and on the Efficacy of Medicine
in interrupting its Courfe, and ffiortening its Duration:
by William Brown, M.D., Surgeon to the Royal In-
firmary. ’—From examining the records of a large hos¬
pital (the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh), the author
fhews, that the number of fevers which terminate on
critical days greatly exceeds the number of thofe ter¬
minating on days called non-critical, though the dis¬
proportion is not nearly fo great as in the cafes recorded
by Hippocrates, and quoted by Dr. Cullen in his Firjl
Lines. Separately taken, however, many of the days
called non-critical by Hippocrates, appear, by the
ftatement here given, to be better entitled to the de¬
nomination of critical, than thofe which bear the name.
But the records of an hofpital, in our opinion, as
things are commonly managed, afford a very ineffi¬
cient ground for general deductions.

The author, from the fame documents, next endea¬
vours to difcover, whether the duration of the difeafe
was fhortened by the means employed ; and he draws
theconclufion, that, in the cafes feledted, medicine had
no fpeedy effedt in terminating the fever. For in 280
inftances, only twelve cafes are marked in which
the fever ceafed on the day on which medicine was
firft applied; viz. one on the 5th, one on the 6th,
four on the 7th, one on the 8th, one on the 10th, and
three on the 13th day of the difeafe. [n the firft three
days after admiffion, 71 cafes of remiffion took place,
which is only one in four; and there are no fufficient
reafons for attributing thefe with any certainty to the
effedt s of treatment, fince the difpofition in fever td
terminate fpontaneoufly is well known.

‘ I think I am warranted,’ the author obferves, c to
make a general conelufion from the evidence above
ftated, and to affert, that medicine has not the effedt of
putting a fpeedy termination to fever. That it had
not this effedi, as applied in the cafes under the care of
the phyficians to the hofpital, the records of which I
Examined, is furely undeniable ; and I fee no good

* reafon

f 10 Duncans* Annuls'; of Medicine , for 1802*

reafon to fuppofe it is more effeQual any where elfe.
The gentlemen who prefcribed for thefe patients
have as juft a title to difcernment in diftinguifhing
difeafes, and (kill in applying remedies, as is pof-
1 oiled by any other practitioner. Their integrity and
faithfulnefs in the difcharge of their duty are equally
unquedionable.

c But although afpeedy termination was not induc¬
ed by the means ufed, was the difeafe -at all fhortened
by the medicine applied ? I think I have evidence to
anfwer thisquedion in the negative ; at lead, diffident
to excite much doubt in the mind of every unpre¬
judiced obferver.

6 Of 280 cafes of fever, it appears that only 159
were cured after the application of medicine for fix
fucceffive days.’

. The author with difficulty admits* even, that it is
poffible to put a flop to fevers at their very commence¬
ment ; for in many hundreds of cafes of fever, which
he has had an opportunity of attending, and prefcrib-
ing for, in a large hofpital, and not a few in private *
practice, he never could didindly obferve, he fays,
■that any of the means employed had the effeCf of dop»
ping fever in its career. That iuch a thing, however,
is poffible, and that it has frequently been eflfefted,
mud be admitted, if any credit be due to medical tef-
timony ; and the following fads, adduced by the au¬
thor him felt, are in proof of it.

4 In the months of October and November 1779, I
ferved on board his Majefty’s fhip Namur, of 90 guns,
at that time one of the Channel fleet, under the com¬
mand of Sir Charles Hardy, A great many of the
crew were affeded with difeafe, fo that our dck lift
amounted generally to from 70 to 90 names; at lead
one half of there were under fever, and that frequently
combined with-a dux. Mr. Warren, the furgeon of the
flop, attacked this lever with a medicine of his own,
the compodtion of which he did not difclofe. He told
me, the ocqafion that induced him fird to employ it \vas

his-

Duncan’s Annals of Medicine, for 1802. 311

Isis bad fuccefs in curing fever while in the Well In¬
dies. It was the only medicine he adminiftered in fe¬
brile difeafes ; and I faw him ufe it in fevers, fluxes,
and rheumatifm.

* I do not know if this drug falls under the defcrip-
tion of quack medicines, becaufe its inventor was a
regular praftitioner, or a regularly educated furgeon.
As it is a fecret, it will appear to many fufpicious.
But whatever be men’s opinions concerning the name
by which it fhould be known, I think it my duty to
bear teftimony to what I faw effefted by it. Edu¬
cated with an utter averfion to all fecrets, I confefs I
was prejudiced againft it. I was rather difpofed to
note its failures than record its fuccefs. Its good
effefts, however, were too confpicuous to permit me
to hefttate ; and I have often faid, and frill aver, that
I never faw any medicine to which i could attribute
the uniform, and almoft certain, removal of the febrile
Hate, except this.

s Mr. Warren gave his medicine in the form of pills.
From the violence of their operation, they obtained
among the feamen the name of Dr. Warren’s Thunder¬
bolts. The effects produced by them gave, in fa ft,
a juft title to this appellation. Soon after being fwal-
lowed, a moft violent vomiting and purging enfued,
by w hich the patient being greatly exhaufted, a pro*
fufe fweat fucceeded, and a fpeedy removal of fever,
in almoft every cafe, in a few nours took place. The
medicine was ufually given in the evening, between
7 and 8 o’clock. At our mornfhg vifit, we generally
found the fick completely drenched in moifture, but
free of his febrile complaints. If this effeft had not
been produced, another dofe of the medicine was im¬
mediately given.

c It muft be remarked, however, that this intermiffion
was feldom permanent. The febrile attack was often
repeatedly renewed after 36 or 48 hours ; but it was
* as repeatedly overcome by a new exhibition of the
medicine.

c The

21 2 Duncans’ Annals of Medicine, for 1802.

... T *_.»«■«

* The ultimate fuccefs of this praCtice was fufficiently
great to recommend it to attention. During three
months that I remained on board this (hip, we had not
more than three or four deaths, though the ficknefs.
was very general , and very few of the fick were fent
to the hpfpital.’

But although the author is fully convinced of the in¬
efficacy of the general means employed to fhorten the
duration of fever, he is neverthelefs perfuaded of the
utility of medicine in obviating and relieving many of
the fymptoms of the difeafe, and thus contributing to
a favourable termination. More real benefit, be ob-
ferves, is often derived to the patient by protracting,
than by fhortening the duration of the diforder. e I think
I have made it very probable,’ heobferves, ‘that fever
is an affeCtion that is not to be overcome but by the ex¬
ertions of the fyfiern itfelh If this be allowed, all that
ought to be done towards its cure is to remove or
prevent any fuch derangement of the functions as are
incompatible with the continuance of life. This done,
we may truft what is farther to be performed to nature
alone. The efficacy of the violent mode of cure I be¬
fore mentioned is an additional proof that it is only
by the exertions of the body |bat fever is removed*
In that practice the whole fyitem is thrown into aCtion,
&nd we can fcarce conceive a mufcular fibre to exift
any where which is not putin motion. Motion feems
to be the means ufed by nature to remove fever: it is
in faCt fever that cures fever ; and if any perfon at¬
tempts to cure it by fuppreffing this motion, he will
extinguifh life and fever together.

‘ No perfon who views fever in this light will think
if abfurd to propofe the protraCtion of fever as a very
efieCtual mode of cure. That this is abfolutely necef-
fary in many cafes, appears very clear, from the courfe
of fever with topical affeCtion. Blood-letting, in thefe
cafes, is the principal remedy ; but to bleed to the
utter extinction of the difeafe, is impoffible. The ra¬
tional and univerfal praCtice, therefore, is to moderate

genera]

*WT*«**

Duncans' Annals of Medicine, for 1802. 213

general impetus, and thus to protract the difeafe. If
this protraction cannot be procured, death fpeedily
ends both the patient and his complaint. The fame
obfervation is true of fever, with too languid motion.
This motion muft be fupported and accelerated ; but
by this acceleration the difeafe is not removed ; it is
only protraCted by an artificial vigour imparted to the
body, by which it is enabled to ftruggle with, and at
laft overcome, the complaint.

‘ Still, fuppofing the above obfervations to be founded
in truth, we may farther infer, that a rational and fuc-
cefsful plan?ofcure in fever may be formed, independ¬
ent of the knowledge of its proximate caufe. This
is to be done by a contemplation of the evident cir-
cumftances of the difeafe • in their confequences, as
far as our knowledge of phyfiology can teach us ; and
in the manner of their removal or alleviation, as far as
experience has furnifhed us with means fitted to ob¬
tain this effeCt.*.

3. c Hi (lory of the Cafe of a Man who difcharged
by the Anus a Portion, of the Inteftines, full 14 Inches
in length : by Mr. Johri^3ower,of Doncafter/ — The pa¬
tient in this cafe was injured by thepaffing of a coach
wheel over the abdomen. The body fwelled much,
with other marks of inflammation ; but thefe were in
great meafure fubdued in the courfe of a fortnight, fo
that he was able to walk abroad. On the 17th day after
the accident, in the evening, he was feized with fuch
a general debility, that they were obliged to lay him
on the bed, and he continued in that ftate for ten mi¬
nutes : the next night it returned in the fame manner ;
and on the following morning he parted per anum
with full 14 inches of his inteftines, apparently a por¬
tion of the ileum, with a part of the mefentery ad¬
hering to it. He continued in a lax ftate for two or
three weeks, when a tumour appeared below the na¬
vel, and in a few weeks broke, and difcharged a large
quantity of matter, having a yellowifh tinCf, and

vol, x. S a faint

214 Duncans’ Annals of Medicine, for 1802,

a faint fmellof foeccs. Three or four other tumours
appeared at different times, and broke ; two a little
above the pubis, one a little below the navel, and
two juft above Poupart’s ligament. Thefe openings
Hill continue (five years after the accident), the patient
being fubject at times to colic pains and difordered
bowels, but otherwife enjoying tolerable health.

4. ‘ Hiftory of a Recovery from a fingular Species
of Hiccup, which hadfubfifted for feveral Months : by
Dr. J. N. Scott, of the Me of Mann.’— This anomalous
cafe fuggefts nothing with regard to general pra&ice.
The author attributes the cure chiefly to a blifter ap¬
plied along the cervical vertebras, and which he
fuppofes produced its eff eft from the phrenic nerve
being formed by the junction of the third and fourth cer¬
vical nerves.« — Subjoined to this cafe the author gives
bis teftimony in favour of the cold affufion in typhus.

5. c Hiftory of a remarkable Cafe of Diabetes,
treated in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.’ — This
contains the daily reports of the cafe, extra£led from
the Journals of the Infirmary, but affords nothing of
moment additional to the account we formerly gave*.

ft 7

6. ‘ Hiftory of a confiderable Wound of the Brain,
attended with fingular Circumftances : by Mr, E.
Barlow, Student of Medicine.’— In this cafe, the fkull
was fra&ured by the kick of a horfe, and the bone
driven in immediately above the orbit. As the pa¬
tient proceeded towards recovery, a profufe difcharge
flowed from the wound, which the author attributed
to the fplinter of bone having penetrated one of the
lateral ventricles of the brain. It ceafed, however,
gradually under the ufe of calomel and opium, and the
patient recovered.

# See page 213 of our laft volume.

7. ‘ Cafe

Duncans’ Annals of Medicine > for 1802. 215

7. c Cafe of a gunfhot Wound, with a Divifion
of the Femoral Artery: by Mr. David Aitken, Af~
fiftant Surgeon in the Navy.r — The fhot entered about
three inches above the knee on the infide, and, palling
obliquely downwards and outwards, made its efcape
from an opening between the ham-ftrings. No haemor¬
rhage took place, but the limb below was cold, and life-
lefs, and gangrene fucceeded, beginning at the toes,
and fpreading upwards over great part of the leg.
Amputation was performed at the middle of the thigh,
but did not preferve the life @f the patient, who died
feventeen days after the operation.

f What I think chiefly remarkable in this cafe,’ the
author obferves, ‘ is the Hate of the wounded artery.
The artery, j ufl about to enter the ham, was completely
divided by the ball, its two ends fairly feparated from
each other, yet accompanied by no immediate hsemor-
rhagy, nor followed by that which was to be dreaded
after the Houghs had been thrown off. There was not
even any internal bleeding : there was no aneurifm \ but
the divided artery was fhrunk, and clofed ; the circula¬
tion was deflroyed in thedimb, and the leg perifhed
before nature had forced open other channels for con¬
veying blood to the parts below the wound.’

8. c An Account of the good Effects obtained from
a Combination of Calomel and Opium in inflamma¬
tory Difeafes ; with Obfervations on Effefts arifing
from the Acetite of Copper, and on fome other import¬
ant Subjects in the Practice of Medicine : by Dr.
Yeats, of Bedford.’ — The ufe of calomel combined
with opium, in the treatment of internal inflamma¬
tions, was feveral years ago recommended by the late
Dr. Hamilton, of Lynn Regis, in the 9th volume of
the Edinburgh Medical Commentaries; fince which
time the praflice has been often imitated (more fre¬
quently, we believe, than Dr. Yeats fuppofes), with
fuccefs, by other praflitioners. A very acute cafe of
pleurify is here narrated, in which thefe medicines

S 2 were

1216 Duncans’ Annals of Medicine, for 1802

were employed with great apparent benefit : bleeding'
and bliftering had been premifed. Repeated doles of
calomel and opium were given, fo as to produce fore-
nefs of the mouth.

Subjoined to the above is a cafe of fecondary lues
venerea, where the ineflicacy of the nitrous acid ap¬
pears to be clearly evinced. It yielded readily to a
well-dire&ed mercurial courfe.

c Although the mode of treatment adopted in the
following cafes is not peculiar, I neverthelefs fend
you the hiftory of them, as the fymptoms were violent,
and rather Angular in their nature. Mary Smith, set.
50, with her two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, the
former 22, the latter 18 years of age, were, on the
Sift of September laft, feized with the following
fymptoms: — A violent pain at the pit of the ftomach,
and fwelling of the abdomen. About an hour after,
ficknefs, with vomiting, came on in the mother and
younger daughter. The eldeft daughter had no paid
at the pit or heir ftomach, but was feized later with
griping and purging. The ficknefs and vomiting of
the mother continued the whole of the next day, and
every thing taken into the ftomach was immediately
rejected. The apothecary of ShefFord, near which the
village of Shillington, where thofe patients refide, is
fituated, fent her fome oleum ricini. Part of it was
thrown up; the remainder purged her, and the vomit¬
ing ceafed.

c Qn Thurfday, OQober 3, Mr. Gaye, the furgeon
of the family, was defired to vifit them. The tongues
of all of them were, at that time, very much fur¬
red with a greenith incruftation. They complained
of a rawrnefs of the fauces, and of a defedt in their
vifion, and the pupils of their eyes were very much
dilated.

c On Wednefday, Odtober 9, I was fent for to vifit
them, and found them in the following fituation : They
al) complained of dimnefs of fight, confiderable raw-
peffof the fauces, with great difficulty of deglutition

Duncans* Annals of Medicine, for 1802. 217

of fluids. No folids could be at all fwallowed. Upon
infpefling the throat, a Aiming pellucid rednefs was
obferved fpread over it, with an enlargement of the
tonfils and epiglottis. The tongue of the mother
was harfh, dry, and red, with confiderable thirfl, li mi-
la r to what is obferved in fome fevers. In the daugh¬
ters, the tongues were moift, and were covered with
a white coat. The puife in all was fmall, but indicated
nothing febrile. The appetites of the daughters were
returning; but a difmclination to food ftill continued
in the mother, who was alfo affefted with a great de¬
jection of fpirits. The fight was very confiderably
affected in all. The pupils of the eyes were very much
dilated, and were perfectly infenfible to the film ulus
of a firong light. All obje&s appeared to the mother
double, and enveloped in a thick mill. Double vifion
formed no part of the complaints of the daughters,
but only clouds and niufcee volitantes before their eyes.
Their vifion, however, was, of courfe, very indiftinft.

e By inveftigating the caufe of thefe fymptoms, I
found that, on the day previous to the attack, they
had dined on pickled falmon, at Luton, feafoned with
fome vinegar purchafed there. I concluded either that
the falmon or vinegar was impregnated with acetiteof
copper (verdegris), which was the caufe of thefe fymp¬
toms. This opinion was [Lengthened by the circum-
ifance of the father not being attacked in this way, as
he ate none of the falmon, and the mother, who had
ate the moft heartily of it, was the moil feverely han¬
dled. I therefore ordered them all to take large dofes
of fulphur, which is well known to neutralize and
moderate the violent effects of all the mineral poifons :
caftor oil was occafionally prefcribed, and hlifiers were
applied round the necks of all.

‘ I vifited them again on Tuefday Oflober 13.
Every fymptom was yielding, except the affection of
the eyes, the pupils of which ftill continued dilated,
and infenfible to light. I requefted that the medicines
might be continued, and that, as foon as the affeftion

S 3 ' of

218 Duncans’ A nnals of Medicine , for 1 802.

of the throat and bowels was removed, mercurial me-
dickies ffiould be exhibited until the mouth fhouid be
made fore. This has been done; perfect vifion has
fmee returned, and the pupils are redored to their
original irritability. I treated the difeafe of the eyes
as amaurofis ; and if this method had not fucceeded,
I fhouid have recommended electricity, with the
arnica.’

The author, in the above cafes, takes it for granted
that the fymptoms were produced by the poifon of
copper; but the fafts, as dated, certainly warrant no
fuch conclufion. The dilated pupils and imperfect
vifion are not fymptoms belonging to the mineral poi-
fons, as far as we know. It may be difficult to trace
the fymptoms to their fource, but they appear to re¬
ferable much more nearly thofe produced by certain
fpecies of ffiell fiffi in fome conditutions. As to the
cure, the expectation of neutralizing the fupp>ofed mi¬
neral poifon by fulphur taken into the domach, does
not feem very philofophical, however true it may be
in the furnace of the chemid.

A cafe is added of abfeefs in the liver burftins: be*
tween the ribs, and attended with a difeharge of hy¬
datids, mixed with the purulent matter.

9. c Remarkable Cafes of Convulfions, with fome
Obfervations on the Haemorrhcea Petechialis, or Pe-
techise fine Febre : by Dr. Albers, of Bremen.’ — -

‘ A child, about nine weeks old, perfectly healthy,
was fuddenly feized with cohVulfions, which, after
the lapfe of an hour, by the ufe of mofehus liq. corn,
cerv. face, glyders, &c. difappeared. They returned,
however, in a few hours, with the fame violence, and
again difappeared on ufing the fame remedies. After
this, the child continued to experience the fame pa-
roxyfms repeatedly, with only the intern'd (lion of forty-
eight hours between each. I could not poffibly afeer-
tain the caufe of this affection, although the green idi
dools, which fometimes bore, the appearance of foft

cheefe

Duncans' Annals of Medicine 3 for 1802, 219

cheefe, made me believe that it might be owing to
acid; yet magnefia, fap. Venet. rhab. in conjiinCfion
with flor. zinc, were ufed without any effeCf, only glyf-
ters fbortened the paroxyfm. About eight days af¬
terwards, the pupil became very much enlarged, the
eyes fquinted, and the child often carried its hand
to the head.

‘ I now thought I had difcovered the caufe of the
dileafe, and that it arofe from an accumulation of wa¬
ter in the head. I prefcribed calomel for internal ufe3
and a blifter to be applied on the neck ; though this
latter was omitted, the parents confidering the child
as irrecoverably loft, one of their children having died
fome time before of the fame difeafe* the fymptoms of
which they but too well recolle&ed. By the ufe of
thefe remedies* the child feemed to recover. The
finT days after taking them, the convulfions did not
appear for more than forty-eight hours. However,
they returned to fuch a degree, that the child had fix-
teen different paroxyfms in one day, and was unable
to fwallow any thing during twenty-four hours;
confequently it could not take any pbyfic.

‘ As foon as the child was able to fwallow again,
the medicines were continued. The infant grew fo
lean, that I loft all hope. A few days afterwards,
the nurfe, while drefhng it, accidentally touched (ra¬
ther violently) the child's ear, out of which a fluxion
of matter immediately enlued. The nurfe informed
me, that, immediately after the fluxion, thefquinting
ceafed, the pupil contracted itfelf, and the convul¬
fions did not again return. The chiid after this re¬
covered very quickly.

c It appears to me, beyond a doubt, that the convul¬
fions v/ere owing to the irritation of the abfcefs.

c The above cafe proves bow difficult it is to afcer-
tain the caufes of convulfions.’

Another cafe is given by the fame author, where a
child died fuddenly of convulfions, and in whom an
intro-fufception of the inteftine was found after death :

S 4 this

220 Duncans’ Annals of Medicine, for 1802.

this is fuppofed to have excited the convuifions. The
cafe of petechiae fine febre was cured by a cordial and
tonic plan of treatment. It does not differ effentially
from feveral other cafes of the fame kind to be found
in books.

10. f Hi dory of a Angular Cafe of Extra-uterine Foe¬
tus difcharged by the Reflum : by Mr. J. Gooddr,
Surgeon at Largo.’ — In this cafe, the woman, between
the 7th and 8th months of pregnancy, after great ex¬
ertion, felt a violent druggie within her, and all at
once the motion of the child ceafed. Symptoms of la¬
bour alfo came on at this time, and continued more or
lefs for dx or feven weeks. She then gradually reco¬
vered, though not to perfeft health ; and about eight
months afterwards difcharged by the return, with
manual aid, a foetus in a highly putrid date. The
patient* after a time, regained perfect health.

11. c Obfervation fur la Catara£te : Obfervations
on the Catarabf : by A. Monnot, Frofeffor of Anato¬
my and Midwifery at Befan^nf — The ingenious
author of this paper, after giving a general hiftory of
the difeafe, and the operations that have been at dif¬
ferent times indituted for its relief, propofes an inno¬
vation in the mode of operating, calculated, he thinks,
to obviate or prevent the mod frequent caufe of
failure ; viz. opacity of the capfule of the crydalline
lens. This opacity is fometimes a part of the original
affe&ion ; fometimes it is the confequence of inflamma¬
tion coming on fubfequent to the operation, which
at the time appears to be attended with complete fuc-
cefs, the patient being able to fee objects didinbtly
immediately afterwards.

As this accident may arlfe in any cafe, the author
advifes that in all, immediately after the removal of
the crydalline, an indrument be introduced through
the pupil, and a crucial incifion made in the poderior
part of the caofule. Immediately as this is done, a

portion

PercivalV Medical Ethics .

221

portion of the vitreous humour pufhes forwards, and
occupies the fituation of the cryftalline, whilft the di¬
vided capfule retradis itfelf from before the pupil,' and
the eye is left perfectly free from opacity. This mode
of operating the author has for .feveral years de-
monftrated in his anatomical fchool, and adopted in
his pradtice with the belt fuccefs. By this means, he
fays, the operation will prove fuccefsful in more than
ninety cafes out of a hundred.

This terminates the original obfervations in the vo¬
lume before us. Under the head of Medical News ,
the only article that will prove fo to our readers is an
account of the good effedts of the moxa in a cafe
of lofs of fpeech of five, years’ duration, the confe-
quence of a fever. The application was made, in
three places in fucceflion, between the (boulders, and
renewed eight days afterwards on the fide of the
neck.

The publications, likewife, of which an analyfis is
here given, have been, with one or two exceptions
to be hereafter noticed, already before the readers of
the Medical and Chirurgical Review.

Art. XXIV. Medical Ethics; or , a Code of Injli-
tutes and Precepts , adapted to the profejjional Con¬
duct of Phyjicians and Surgeons , Kc. To which
is added an Appendix , containing a Difconrfb on
Hofpital Duties ; alfo Notes and Illuftrations .
By Thomas Percival, M.D. , F.R.S., &c. &c.
8vo. 246 pages. Price 5s. London, 1803. Johnson.

THE volume before us confifts of four chapters .

In the firft, the author treats e Of profeiiionai
Conduct relative to hofpital or other medical Chari¬
ties in the fecond, c Of profeiiionai Condudt in private
or general Pradtice f Chap, 3, 4 Of the Condudt ofPhv-

• u. _

ficians

222

FercivalV Medical Ethics.

ficiansto Apothecaries:’ Chap. 4,‘Ofprofeffipnal Duties
In certain Cafes which require a Knowledge of Law/

The great importance of the fubjecls here difcufifed,
both in relation to the profeffion of phyfic, and to what
Is intimately connefted with this, the public welfare,
is too obvious to need a comment. The known ta»
lents and amiable difpofition of the author will doubt*
lefs attach a high degree of intered to the work ; and
we fhould fail in our duty, did we omit to recommend
It moil earneftly to the notice of every defcription of
medical men. An attention to the precepts it incul¬
cates cannot fail to render the profeffional chara£ler
re fp enable in the eyes of the world, and to promote
that harmony which fhould ever fubfift in the mutual
intercourfe of men of liberal minds and education.
Inilead, therefore, of attempting an analyfis of fo valu¬
able a work, we prefer roufing the attention of our
readers towards it by a few fhort extra£ls, which, we
have no doubt, will more powerfully incite them to
a perufal of the whole, than any arguments we could
othenvife employ. We cannot felect a fubje£l for
the purpofe more generally intereding than that which
treats of the conduct of phyficians towards apothe¬
caries.

c In the prefent ftate of phyfic in this country,
where the profeffion is properly divided into three
diliindl branches, a connection peculiarly intimate lub-
fifts between the phyfician and the apothecary ; and vari¬
ous obligations neceffarily refult from it. On the know¬
ledge, {kill, and fidelity of the apothecary depend, in
a very confiderable degree, the reputation, the fuccefs^
and ufefulnefs of the phyfician. As thefe qualities^
therefore, }uftly claim his attention and encouragement,
the poffeffior of them merits his refpect and patronage.

4 The apothecary is, in aimed every in dance, the
prrecurfor of the phyfician ; and being acquainted
with the rife and progrefs of the difeafe, with the
hereditary conflitution, habits, and difpofition of the
patient, he may furnifli very important information.

' ' ‘ ' 'It

PercivalV Medical Ethics .

2'2S

It is in general, therefore, expedient, and when health
or life are at ftake expediency becomes a moral duty,
to confer with the apothecary, before any decifive plan
of treatment is adopted ; to hear his account of the
malady, of the remedies which have been adminiftered,
of the effedts produced by them, and of his whole ex¬
perience concerning the juvaniia and laedentia in the
cafe. Nor ihould the future attendance of the apothe¬
cary be fuperfeded by the phyfician ; for if he be
a man of honour, judgment, and propriety of behaviour,
he will be a moil valuable auxiliary through the whole
courfe of the diforder, by his attention to varying
fymptoms ; by the enforcement of medical dirediions ;
by obviating mifapprehenfions in the patient or his
family ; by ftrengthening the authority of the phyfician 5
and by being at all times an eafy and friendly me¬
dium of communication. To fubferve thefe import¬
ant purpofes, the phyfician fhould occafionally make
his vifits in conjundtion with the apothecary, and regula-
late by circumilances the frequency of fuch interviews.
Tor if they be often repeated, little fubftantial aid can
be expedted from the apothecary, becaufe he will
have no intelligence to offer which does not fall under
the obfervation of the phyiician hitnfelf; nor any op¬
portunity of executing his peculiar trull, without be¬
coming burthenfome to the patient by multiplied
calls and unfeafonable affiduity.

‘ This amicable inter courfe and co-operation of
the phyfician and apothecary, if conducted with the
decorum and attention to etiquette which ihould al¬
ways be Readily obferved by profcflional men, will b
add the authority of the one to the refpedlability of the
oilier, and to the ufefulnefs of both. The patient
will find himfelf the objcdt of watchful and un¬
remitting care, and will experience that he is con-
nedled with his phyfician not or lv personally, but bj
a fedulous representative and coadjutor. The apothe¬
cary will regard the free communication of the ply-
feian as a privilege and mean of improvement -9 he

will

224

PercivaL? Medical Ethics.

will have a deeper intereft in the fuccefs of the cura*-
tive plans purfued, and his honour and reputation will'
be diredtly involved in the purity and excellence of the
medicines difpenfed, and in the (kill and care with
which they are compounded.

6 The duty and refponfibilfty of the phyfician, how¬
ever, are fo intimately connected with thefe points*
that no dependance on the probity of the apothecary
fhould prevent the occafional infpedtion of the drugs
which he prefcribes. In London, the law not only
authorizes, but enjoins, a hated examination of the
iimple and compound medicines kept in the hi ops.
And the policy that is juft and reasonable in the
metropolis muft be proportionally fo in every provin¬
cial town throughout the kingdom. Nor will any
refpedtable apothecary object to this neceffary office,
when performed with delicacy, and at feafonable
times; fince his reputation and emolument will be
increafed by it, probably in theexadt ratio > thus ascer¬
tained, of profeffional merit and integrity.

f A phyfician called to vifit a patient in the country
fhould not only be minute in his directions , but ffiould
communicate to the apothecary the particular view
which he takes of the cafe ; that the indications of
cure may be afterwards purfued with precifion and
fteadinefs, and that the apothecary may ufe the dif*
cretionary power committed to him, with as little de¬
viation as poffible from the general plan prefcribed.
To fo valuable a clafs of men as the country apothe¬
caries, great attention and refpedf is due ; and as they
are the guardians of health through large diftridts, no
opportunities ffiould be negledted of promoting their
improvement, or contributing to their ftock of know¬
ledge, either by the loan of books, the direction of
their ftudies, or by unreferved information on medical
fubjedts. When fuch occafions prefent them (elves,
the maxim of our judicious poet is ftridtly true, “ The
worft avarice is that of fenfe.” For practical improve¬
ments ufually originate in towns, and often remain

unknown

PercivalV Medical Ethics.

225

unknown or difregarded in fituations where gentlemen
of the faculty have little intercourfe, and where fuffici-
ent authority is wanting to fanftion innovation.

4 It has been obferved by a political and moral
writer of great authority, that cc apothecaries’ profit is
®c become a byewvord, denoting fomething uncom-
“ monly extravagant. I bis great apparent profit, how-
ever, is frequently no more than the reafonable
u wages of labour. The fkill of an apothecary is a
“ much nicer and more delicate matter than that of
any artificer whatever ; and the trufi: which is re-
£( pofed in him is of much greater importance. He
is the phyfician of the poor in all cafes, and of the
<c rich when the diftrefs or danger is not very great.

His reward, therefore, ought to be fuitable to
“ his fkill and his trufi:, and it arifes generally from
the price at which he fells his drugs. But the
whole drugs which the bell employed apo-
“ thecary in a large market town will fell in
“ a year may not perhaps cod him above thirty
*c or forty pounds. Though he fhould fell them, there-
“ fore, for three or four hundred, or a thoufand per
<c cent, profit, this may frequently be no more than
the reafonable wrages of his labour charged, in
c< the only way in which he can charge them, by the
“ price of his drugs.”

‘ The ftatement here given exceeds the emoluments
of the generality of apothecaries in country diftri£ls.
And a phyfician, who knows the education, fkill, and
perfevering attention, as well as the facrifice of eafe,
health, and fometimes even of life, which this pro-
feffion requires, fhould regard it as a duty not to
withdraw, from thofe who exercife it, any fource of
reafonable profit, or the honourable means of advance¬
ment in fortune. Two practices prevail in fome
places injurious to the intered of this branch of the
faculty, and which ought to be difcouraged. One
confifis in differing prefcriptions to be fent to the
druggift, for the fake of a fmall faving in expence:
the other in receiving an annual fiipend, ufually de¬
grading

226 PercivalV Medical Elides .

grading in its amount, and in the fervices it impofe;
for being confulied on the {lighter indifpofitions t
which all families are incident, and which properl
fall within the province of the apothecary.

c Phyficians are fometimes requelled to vifit th
patients of the apothecaryiin his abfence. Compliance
in fuch cafes, fhould always be refufed, when it ;
likely to interfere with the confultation of the med
cal gentleman ordinarily employed by the fick perfo
or his family. Indeed, this praftice is fo liable t
abufe, and requires, in its exercife, fo much cautio
and delicacy, that it would be for the intereft an
honour of the faculty to have it altogether interdiftee
Phyficians are the only proper fubftitutes for phyl
dans ; furgeons for furgeons ; and apothecaries fi
apothecaries.

6 When the aid of a phyfician is required, the ap<
thecary to the family is frequently called upon 1
recommend one. It will then behove him to leai
fully whether the patient or his friends have any prefe
ence or partiality ; and this he ought to confult, if
lead not to an improper choice. For the maxim *
Celfus is ftriftly applicable on fuch an occafion; U
par feieniia^ melior ejl amicus medicus quam extr i
neus. But if the parties concerned be entirely indiffe
ent, the apothecary is bound to decide according i
his b eft judgment, with a confcientious and exclufh
regard to the good of the perfon for whom he is con
miffioned to aft. It is not even fufficient that he f
lefts the perfon on whom, in iicknefs, be repofes h
own truft; for in this cafe friendfhip juftly gives pr
ponderancy, becaufe it may be fuppofed to exci
a degree of zeal and attention which might overb
lance fuperior fcience or abilities. Without favo
or regard to any perfonal, family, or profeffional co
neftions, he fhould recommend the phyfician who
he confcientioufly believes, all circumflances confide
ed, to be befi: qualified to accomplifii the recovery
the patient.

Heyh practical Obfervations in Surgery . 227

c In the county of Norfolk, and in the city of
London, benevolent inftitutions have been lately form¬
ed, for providing funds to relieve the widows and
children of apothecaries, and occafionally alfo mem-*
bers of the profeffion who become indigent. Such
fchemes merit the fanCtion and encouragement of
every liberal phyfician and furgeon ; and were they
thus extended, their ufefulnefs would be greatly in-
creafed, and their permanency aim oft with certainty
fecured. Medical fubfcribers, from every part of
Great Britain, fhould be admitted, if they offer falls-
factory teftimonials of their qualifications. One com-
prehenfive eftablifhment feems to be more eligible than
many on a fmaiier fcale ; for it would be conducted
with fuperior dignity, regularity, and efficiency ; with
fewer ohftacles from intereft, prejudice, or rivalihip ;
with confiderable faving in the aggregate of time,
trouble, and expence ; with more accuracy in the cal¬
culations relative to its funds, and consequently with
the utrnoft practicable extenfion of its dividends.’

■■■" ■ — ■■■■■ . . . . 'I I nil— Mill II

Art. XXV. Key’s Practical Oh fervat ions in Sur¬
gery. (Continued from page 79.)

r pHE next fubjeCt treated of by the ingenious an-
ft thor is that of Dijlocations. Different practi¬
tioners in thefe cafes give a preference to diiferent
means, according to their own experience. But it
would appear neceffary to vary the mode of reduction
(fince no one is found to fucceed in all cafes), accord¬
ing to the judgment of the praCtitioner. Mr. .Hey
fucceeded in reducing a diflocated humerus more
than once, after other means had been tried in vain,
by the following. The patient was made to fit on
the floor, with the fide affeCted towards a table, on
which ftood two affiftants. By means of towels
fattened above the condyles of the os humeri, they raffed

22$ Hey ’s Practical Obj creations in dur& a y.

the patient from the floor in a vertical dire&ion,
and then moved flowly forwards, fo as to bring the
arm gradually towards a horizontal pofition, Mr. H.
himfelf preffing the head of the bone upwards. On
other occafions, a very flight degree of extenfion was
found to fucceed, after a much greater one had been
ineffeftually employed ; and hence is inculcated the
propriety of a very gradual and long-continued ex¬
tenfion, which more certainly overcomes the refinance
of the mufcles, than the fudden and violent extenfion
of the limb.

DIftocation of the lower jaw often takes place on
one fide only, and does not, Mr. Hey obferves, in
general occafton the chin to be turned to the oppo¬
site fide, as authors have faid. The heft method of
reducing it is fimply preffing the jaw downwards and
backwards on the fide only which is diflocated. Even
where both are diflocated, the author has fucceeded
better by reducing one fide fir A, than when he attempt*
ed the reduction of both at the fame time.

A peculiar difficulty attends the reduction of a dif¬
located thumb, when the head of the metacarpal bone,
which is joined to the firft phalanx of the thumb,
is luxated completely, and deprefled towards the
palm of the hand. This difficulty is thus explained.
* A tranfverfe fedtion of the anterior extremity of the
metacarpal bone exhibits the form of a wedge, the
narroweft part being .towards the palm of the hand.
There are two tubercles on each fide of the anterior
extremity of the metacarpal bone, whence the lateral
ligaments go off in part to the firft phalanx of the
thumb. Upon meafuring the diftance of thefe tu¬
bercles from each other, I have found thofe two tu¬
bercles which are neareft to the palm of the hand
to be only 3-8 ths of an inch from each other, when
the tubercles on the pofterior part of the fame bone
were at the diftance of 5-8ths of an inch. Suppofing
therefore the head of the metacarpal bone to be prefl¬
ed forcibly between the lateral ligaments, towards

the

HeyT Practical Ob fervations in Surgery . *2 £9

the palm of the hand, the extremity of the metacarpal
bone paiTes like a wedge between the lateral liga¬
ments, and, having palled through between them, it
cannot return, as the poflerior broad part of the bone
prefents itfelf to the more contra&ed aperture between
the ligaments. From an anatomical confideration
of the, llructure of this joint, it feems impoffible that
the metacarpal bone fhould pafs in this dire&ion to a
complete dillocation, without tearing off fome part of
the lateral ligaments ; yet fo much of the ligaments
may remain as to prevent the return of the bone to
its natural fituation/ The reduction in this cafe is ex¬
tremely difficult, and has often proved imprafticable.

The next chapter treats of internal Derangement of
the Knee Joint, Theobfervations of the author here are
novel and important. Complete dillocation of the
knee joint rarely happens ; but this joint is not unfre-
quently affeCted wTith a derangement of fome of its parts,
and that fometimesin confequence of trifling accidents,
The difeafe is now and then removed, as fuddenly as
it was produced, merely by the natural motions ©f the
joint ; at other times, it remains for weeks and months,
and produces great diflrefs and lamenefs. The exaCt
and immediate caufe is not well ascertained, and au*
thors appear to have overlooked the complaint. The
ideas of the author will be bed underftood by a narra¬
tion of one of the cafes detailed, all of which appear
to have been effectually relieved by the fimple means
h e re re c o m m e n de d .

4 Cafe 2. in 1784, the Hon. Mifs Harriet Ingram'(now
Mrs. Afton), as fhe was playing with a child, and
making a confiderable exertion, in ftretching hem
fell forwards, and flopping to take hold of the child,
while (lie reded upon one leg, brought on an imme¬
diate lamenefs in the knee joint of that leg on which
fhe flood. The diforder was confidered as a fimple
fprain ; and a plader was applied round the joint. As
the lamenefs did not diminiih in the courfe of five or
fix days, f was defired to vifit her.

VOL. X, . . T

4 Upon

2 SO HeyV Practical Obj creations in Surgery.

* Upon comparing the knees, I could perceive no dif¬
ference, except that, when the limbs were placed
in a ftate of complete extenfion, the ligament of the
patella of the injured joint feemed to be rather more
relaxed than in that joint which had received no in-
iury. When I moved the affeffed knee by a gentle
flexion and extenfion, my patient complained ofno pain $
yet die could not perfectly extend the leg in walking*
nor bend it in .railing the foot from the floor ; but
moved as if the joint had been Aiff, limping very muchy
and walking with pain.

‘ It hought it probable that the fudden exertion might
in fome degree have altered the iituation of the crofs
ligaments, or otherwife have difplaced the condyles
of the os femoris with refpeift to the femilunar car¬
tilages y fo that the condyles might meet with fome
refiftance when the flexor or extenfor mufcles were
put into .aftion, and thereby the free motion of the
joint might be hindered, when the incumbent weight
of the body prefled the thigh bone clofely again A the
tibia ; though this derangement was not fo great as
to prevent the joint, when relaxed, from being moved
with eafe.

‘ To remedy this derangement, I placed my patient
supon an elevated feat, which had nothing underneath it
that could prevent the leg from being puflied back*
ward towards the pofterior part of the thigh. I then
extended the joint by the afiiflar.ee of one hand placed
juft above the knee, while with the other hand I
grafped the leg. During the continuance of the ex¬
tenfion I fuddenly moved the leg backwards, that it
might make as acute an angle with the thigh as pof
Able. This operation I repeated once, and then de¬
ft red the young lady to try how fhe could walk. What¬
ever may bethought of my theory, my pradlice proved
iuccefsfui; for file was immediately able to walk
without lamenefs, and on the third day after this re-
duffion flie danced at a private ball without incon*
venience, or receiving any injury from the exercifef

Several

Hey’j Practical Obfervations in Surgery. *23 1

Several cafes are given of loofe cartilaginous fuh fiances
in the knee joints which were effectually relieved by
a laced knee-piece, or other bandage, around the
joint, fo as toreftrain the motion ofthefe foreign bodies,
which, under the ufe of the bandage, in fome inftances
appear to have diffolved fpontaneoufly, no farther
complaint being made by the patient. Some obfer-
vations and cafes follow of wounds of the joints, evinc¬
ing the neceffity of obviating by every poffible means
future inflammation. When this is attended to, the
author thews by feveral examples that very ferious
and extenfive injuries, even of the larger joints, may
often be expe8ed to terminate favourably.

In compound luxation of the ankle joint, with
fracture of the fibula, Mr. Hey recommends, as a ge¬
neral rule, that when the laceration of the capfular
ligament and integuments is no greater than is fuffi-
cient to permit the head of the tibia to pafs through,
and when the joint or contiguous parts have fuffered
no other injury, reduction fhould be attempted. But
if the laceration of the joint be great, and the con-
tufion confiderable, amputation is t he fafefi: pradiice.

Chap. 10. On Retention of Urine. The remarks
here made relate chiefly to that fpecies of retention
which admits of relief by the catheter. Many judicious
inftrudlions are given refpecling the introduction of
this inflrument, but they are, in the main, fuch as
have of late years been pretty generally inculcated by-
teachers of furgery 3 we fhall not, therefore, enlarge
on this head.

The next chapter treats of the cure of Procidentia
Ani in Adults. Several cafes of this diftrefiing com¬
plaint are here related, cured by the excifion of a
pendulous flap, which together with one or more
tumours is generally found in fuch cafes at the
verge of the anus. — -To thefe fucceed fome cafes
of cancer of the penis, in which amputation was per¬
formed with fuccefs.

T 2 Chap,

232 Hey *s Practical Obfervations in Surgery,

Chap. 13 contain sa Cafe of Convulfions in a Per-
Ion ftrangulated by hanging, but cut down before
life was quite extinfl. He was bled immediately to
the extent of a pint, foon after which the convulfions
came on, continuing with great violence for many
hours. This cafe, the author thinks, points out the
impropriety of large and indifcriminate bleeding in
cafes of fufpended animation, while the powers of life
remain extremely feeble. He the more readily attri¬
butes the convulfions in the cafe recited to the lofs of
blood, as confiderable relief was experienced from re¬
medies of a cordial and ftimulating nature, which were
exhibited as foon as the patient could be made to
fwallow.

A tumour is next defcribed, occurring in the neck
of a child after a violent ft of crying, and which con¬
tained blood. The nature of the cafe being doubtful,
a punflure was made with a couching needle, when
the contents flowed out, and fliewed the tumour to be
owing to a fudden rupture of fome fmall veflfel. It
was found neceflary to repeat the punflure once or
twice afterwards, a frefh accumulation having taken
piace. The author takes occafion here, to recom¬
mend, as a general praflice, the punfluring tumours
of a doubtful nature in this way, as there are few cafes
in which any harm could be done by fuch an operation.
The contents of the tumour would thus in general be
afcertained, with trifling pain j and the wound thus
made is foon healed.

Empyema forms the fubjefl of the 15th chapter.
The following cafe proves the neceffity there may be,
occafionally, for performing the operation for this dif*
eafe \ whilft the fuccefs which attended it affords en*
couragement to imitate the praflice.

€ September 3d, 1788, I was deflred by the over-
feers of the poor of the townfliip of Headingley, near
Leeds, to vifit John Wilkinfon and his wife, who
were then ill in the influenza, which prevailed at that
time. The man had been ill ten days. I found him

labouring

Hey’s Practical Obfervalions in Surgery . 233

labouring under a fever, attended with cough, difficulty
of breathing, and pain in the left fide of the thorax. He
was bled once ; had repeated blifters applied to th£
thorax ; took nitre and antimonials, with a fmooth
linftus to a]lay his cough. He was relieved repeat- v
edly by thefe means, efpecially by the application of
the blifters ; but repeatedly relapfed. At lad he be¬
came fo ill, that he breathed with the utmoft difficulty ;
and could not lie on the right fide without danger of
immediate fuffocation. My elded fon, who was then
myaffiftant in bulinefs, had chiefly vifited the family;
but now defired me to fee the poor man, judging him
to be in the mod imminent danger.

* I found him on the 17th of September, and the 27th
day from the commencement of his diforder, in the
date I have juft now defcribed. His face, and efpe¬
cially the eye-lid, were a little fwollen on the left fide.
The left fide of the thorax was larger than the right,
and its integuments were edernatofe. Upon preffing
the intercoftalmufcies, they feltdidended ; they yielded
a little to a ftrong preffure, and rebounded again.
The abdomen, efpecially at its upper part, appeared
to be fuller than in its natural date.

4 From thefe fymptoms I was perfuaded, that the
left fide of the thorax contained pus or water ; and,
after explaining the nature of the difeafe to the man’s
wife, who was now perfe6fly recovered, and to his
mother, I propofed the operation for the empyema.

* The next day I performed it; having placed him
upon a table, covered with blankets, near a window.
The pain which he had felt in his fide had been the
mod acute betwixt the fifth and fixth ribs, and there
I made an opening into the cavity of the thorax. My
firft incifion was about two inches in length, I cut
through the ferratus magnus and intercoftal mufcles
clofe to the upper edge of the fixth rib, and made an
opening into the ched capable of admitting the tip of
my finger. Purulent matter immediately guflied out
to a condderable didance, and the quantity evacuated

T 3 meafured

2 34 H ey*s Practical Obfervatioris in Surgery .

meafured five ale pints. The poor man was much re¬
lieved, yet he did not breathe well during the two firfl
days after the operation. His cough and difficulty of
breathing then abated very faff ; and his pulfe, which,
before the operation, had beat one hundred and ten
ftrokes in a minute, foon came down to ninety, and
at the expiration of a week did not exceed eighty-four,
A leaden canula was introduced into the wound on
the fecond day after the operation, and was retained
in its place by a flannel bandage.

« Much coagulated matter iffued out during the firfl
two or three days, and then the matter became
thinner.

« My patient continued in a favourable hate until
the beginning of winter, and then his fymptoms be¬
came unfavourable. The matter difcharged was more
copious, and was fetid ; his cough was more trouble-
fome, and his pulfe became much quicker,

c When the cough began again to be troublefome,
1 prefcribed for him an elefluary with fpermaceti and
nitre ; but, upon the difcharge becoming more copi¬
ous, thin, and fetid, X ordered a decoction of the bark
to be given to him . This was exchanged for a decoction
of mvrrh, in the proportion of half an ounce to a pint
of water. This medicine he took throughout the
month of January, together with half a grain, or a
grain, of folid opium every night at bed-time. X re¬
queued the overfeers to allow him as much new milk
as he chofe to take, and advifed him to make this,
with bread and rice, the principal article of diet.
Thefe means agreed very well with him, and feemed
to be of great benefit to him. In February he ceafed
taking medicines. As the weather became warmer his
flrength mcreafed, and by degrees he recovered his
health perfectly. X did not permit him to leave off
wearing the canula until the dif charge from the thorax
had ceafed, and he had completely regained his
flrength. He wore it fifteen months.7 — The oedema
cm the affected fide affifts, the author thinks, in form-
*• ■ - * ' '• ing

HeykV Practical Observations in Surgery . 235

fng the diagnofis, though Dr, Cullen takes no notice
of fuch a circumdance in his Nofology.

A cafe of extraordinary fimple enlargement of the
mammae in a girl is next given, in which the bread on
one fide was extirpated, and weighed no lefs than
eleven pounds four ounces avoirdupois. Mendrua-
lion, which had been fupprefled, foon returned after
the operation, and the other bread flirunk to half its
former fize.

Two cafes are related of collections of pus in the
vagina, and which had been midaken for fluor albus :
one of thefe we fhall tranfcribe.

c In x\pril 1780, Mrs. D., of S , about twenty miles
from Leeds, confultedme on account of a very trouble-
fom e fluor albus , as (he judged it to be. She informed
me, that the diforder had come upon her about five
years before, during pregnancy, and had hitherto re¬
dded the effeCl of every remedy given for her relief.
In anfwer to my inquiries, (lie gave me the following
account of her complaint.

c The colour of the difcharge was white, inclining
to yellow. It flowed in an irregular manner, uncon¬
nected with any circumdance which fhe could recoi¬
led. Sometimes the difcharge ceafed entirely, fome-
times it began to flow fuddenly in large quantity, and
continued diminifhing until it ceafed. The parts were
often rendered fore by the evacuation.

f From thefe circumdances, I fufpe&ed that the na¬
ture of the complaint had been midaken ; and was
apprehensive that a collection of purulent matter might
have been formed in the vagina. I gave her the rea-
fons of my fufpicion ; and told her, that, in my opi¬
nion, the true date of her cafe could not be afcertain-
ed without an examination of the part affeCted.

‘ Upon examination my fufpicions were verified.

I found a quantity of purulent matter collected on the
left fide, where the labium pudendi joins the vagina.

I thrud the blunt end of a probe into the cyd, where
it appeared to be very thin, and the matter flowed out

T 4 copioufly.

236 Monro's Obfervations on Crural Hernia .

copioufly. I informed her, that a furgical operation
would beneceffary for her cure; but the declined fub~
mitting to it, and returned home.

c { heard no more of my patient till May 1781, when
flie returned to Leeds, determined to put herfelf un¬
der my care. The d iforder had remained in the fame
ftate. The cyft Was fometimes healed: and then,
burfting open, continued for a time to difcharge the
purulent matter, as before.

c Upon dividing the cyft, 1 found that the cavity in
which the matter lodged was about an inch and half
in diameter. The whole interior furface of the cyft
was fmooth and fhining ; and on that account I judged
it improbable that a ftmple divifion of the cyft would
effedt a cure. I thought it neceffary, therefore, tore-
move the greater part of that portion of the cyft which
was formed by the internal lining or cuticle of the la¬
bium pudendi. The haemorrhage was inconftder* *
able, and foon ceafed. The wound healed kindly,
and my patient obtained a perfedt cured

Chap. 18 treats of Alvine Concretions ; intended
chiefly to expofe the danger of fwallowing the kernels
of ftone fruits, which very commonly form the nuclei
of fuch concretions.

Chap. 19. On Atheroma . — Chap. 20. On deep-
feated Abfceffes in the Mamma. The author here in¬
culcates the neceflity there is for laying open the
different finufes through their whole extent, however
deeply they may run.

The left chapter of the work treats of Amputation ,
refpedting the management and performance of which
a number of minute obfervations occur, worthy the
attention of the operating furgeon.

Art. XXVI. Obfervations on Crural Hernia: to
winch is prefixed a general Account of the other Va -
ne ties of Hernia : illujl rated by Engravings . By

* '' * u Alexander

Monro’s Obfervations on Crural Hernia . 237

Alexander Monro, Junior, M.D., F.R.S.E. ,
and Prof e/for of Anatomy and Surgery in the Uni -
verjiiy of Edinburgh. 8vo. 96 Pages. Price 4s.
London*, 1803. Long man and Rees.

I 7*' EM ORAL or crural hernia, though of frequent
occurrence, and important in its confequences,
has in general been but curforily treated by authors,
and has not met with that ample difcuffion which its
importance and the difficulties it involves, both in
theory and practice, juftly entitle it to. The learned
author of the treatife before us has, therefore, well em¬
ployed his anatomical and practical knowledge in
the inveftigation of this complaint, the nature and
treatment of which he has confiderably elucidated.

Having premifed fome obfervations on hernia in
genera], and briefly mentioned the different varieties
of the difeafe which have been noticed and defcribed
by writers, the author proceeds to the particular con¬
federation of crural hernia, which he commences by an
accurate and detailed defcription of the (tructure of
the parts through which the protrufion happens. The
manner in which the crural arch is affected in this dif¬
eafe ; the relative fituation of the neighbouring blood-
veffels and nerves in refpedl to the tumour; the effedts
of the firudlure of the crural ring upon the contents of
the tumour and its fac ; the peculiar fymptoms of this
fpecies of hernia ; the prognofis to be formed ; and,
laflly, the bell and fa fell' mode of removing the com¬
plaint by a chirurgical operation — fuch are the leading
points, and the order of their difcuffion, in the pr^fent
effay.

The diagnofis in crural hernia is often attended with
difficulty to the pradlitioner : the following are the
author’s obfervations on this head.

* On account of the very fmall flze of the tumour,
it is often very difficult by an examination of it, by
preffure with the fingers, to difcover the nature of its
contents, as may generally be done in cafes of fcrotal
v . * or

SSS Monro V Gbfervalions on Crural Hernia*

or umbilical hernias* especially as the tumour, in cafes
of crural hernia, has an additional tenfe covering from
the tendinous aponeurofis of the mufcles of the thigh ;
befides which, in many instances, one or more of the
inguinal lymphatic glands are Situated at the fide of or
over the herniary fac.

4 The general or fympathetlc fymptoms of all kinds
of hernias are nearly the fame ; and hence it is only
neceffary to examine with attention the fymptoms of
fuch local difeafes as may counterfeit a crural hernia.

c As a crural hernia may be very readily miftaken
fora fwelling of the inguinal lymphatic glands, or for
the under part of a lumbar abfcefs, it becomes more
iieceffary to detail alfo the fymptoms of fuch cafes.

4 The lymphatic glands of the groin are often fwol-
len in confequence or lues venerea, fcrofula, and cancer.

4 Hernia may be diftinguiOied from a venereal bubo
by attending to the peculiar feeling of the tumour, the
progrefs of the tumour towards fuppuration, and the
general fymptoms.

4 The bowels are not affected by a venereal bubo, as
hy hernia : in the former, the tumour is hard, often
“knotty j cannot, by preffure, be made to difappear, or
to become lefs ; and is generally fituated in the upper*
moft duffer of inguinal lymphatic glands.

5 Notwithftanding thefe and other marks of dif-
iiiiQion, furgeons of the greateft eminence have fome-
times mi {taken hernia for a venereal bubo, or a vene¬
real bubo tor a hernia.

c Sabatier acknowledges that he miffook a venereal |

bubo for a crural hernia.

4 Mr. Fife met with a fingular cafe of crural hernia,
in which the hernial tumour was placed behind a fwel-
1 c d 1 y rn ph a 1 1 c g I a n d of.thegroin ; which c o m p 1 i c a t i o n
of difeaie might very readily have deceived a forge on. 7

A quantity of fat, or a collection of hydatids, on
the inner fide of the groin, may referable a hernia, in
feme degree : of the latter, afpecimen is preferved in
Dr. Monro's Mule uni.

Lumbar

239

Monro V Obfervations on Crural Hernia

Lumbar abfcefs may be very readily midaien for
a crural hernia, especially as the purulent niatfer does
not always follow the ceiirfe ofthe pfoas mufce.

The lumbar abfceis is dulinguifhed from hernia
by the previous fymptoms of inflammation in he fide,
refembling the fymptoms of nephralgia calciiofa, or
nephritis ; by pain increafed on motion ; by be flow
and gradual increafe of the tumour, and otha* fymp¬
toms ; by the fluftuation of the matter, felt m alter¬
nate preffure being made on the loins, and upper and
inner part of the thigh ; by examining the tumour in
the alternate date ofthe erect and horizontal podure ;
and by the abfence of fuch fymptoms as deno:e an oh-
druhtion in the bowels.’

After remarking that the prognofis, in cafes of cru¬
ral hernia, is much lefs favourable than in other varie¬
ties of hernia, the author adds, that c as the neck of a
crural hernia is generally much narrower than that of
a bubonocele, there is much greater rifk of inflam¬
mation affeQing the bowels contained within the her¬
niary tumour in the former than in the latter cafe *
and there will be much greater difficulty, and there¬
fore lefs chance of returning the bowels into the cavity
of the abdomen, in a cafe of crural than in a cafe of
inguinal hernia.

In the cafe of a ftrangulated hernia, it is extremely
difficult to name the moment when the operation
fhould be performed, and when it may prove a cure.

Dr. Bailiie very juitly obferves, that the pulfe is
by no means an infallible index of the date of the pro¬
truded intedine. se The pulfe is fometimes, in fuch
a cafe, not increafed in frequency beyond the dandard
of health, and yet the inflammation of the bowel has
been difcovered afterwards, by the operation, to be
very great. This is an important practical obferva-
tion, becaufe it fliows that the degree of inflammation,
is not to be judged of from the pulfe, and teaches
that the operation fliould not be delayed, after the
proper efforts for reducing the rupture have failed, be-
1 ! j caufe

240 McnroV Obfirvations on Crural Hernia.

caufethe pulfe may happen to be little, or not at all,
accekated/’

6 N)r can we judge with certainty, from the ftate
of tbeother fymptoms, whether the operation will be
the m ans of cure, as thefe are very various, in point
of fevdtv, in different conftitutions.

‘ In mo ft cafes, mortification of the bowels comes
on in cne, two, or three days ftaer the ftrang illation ;
but th'-re are a few inftances upon record, in which
the operation has been performed with fuccefs after
four, ray, after five or fix days from the period of the
ffranguatiorr.

6 In general, the difficulty and hazard of performing
the operation for crural hernia deter the furgeon from
having leeowfe to his operation in due feafon In
moil inftances, that important operation ought to be
performed foon alter the other means of reducing the
herniary tumour have been found inefficacious, as the
bowels, without much previous pain or inflammation,
are often reduced to a ft ate which proves fatal to the
patient, by terminating in mortification.

* From the annexed plates we learn, that, if the
operation be poftponed until a confiderable degree off
inflammation has affected the herniary fac, it will often
be impracticable to reduce the bowels, as an effufion
of coagulable lymph, which forms a bond of union
bet ween the herniary fac and bowels contained within
it, very foon fucceeds the inflammation ; or, if the at¬

tack of the inflammation be violent, efpecially in cru¬
ral her rnia, it is very apt to terminate in mortification/
The mode of operating to which the preference on
the whole is here given, is that recommended by M. Gun -
bernai , in his treatife on the fubjeCt. As this was
particularly noticed by us at the time of its publica¬
tion, we ill a il not now enlarge on it*. The author,
however, chffuades us from laying open the hernial

'■* A full clefeription of M. Girnbernat’s
b.e fouiid in our 2d yol. page 51 6'.

mode of operating will

241

Monro V Obfervations on Crural Hernia.

iac, as in general unneceffary to redudlion, arl in-

O ^ J ^

creanng the rilk of future inflammation, by expfure
of the abdominal cavity. The following is the m thod
of operating, which has always been advifed and
fhewn by Dr. Monro fenior, in his chirurgica lec¬
tures.

‘ In the femoral hernia, the external incifion isto be
tende obliquely, from within, outwards and cown-
mards, beginning the incifion an inch or fo abo'e the
tendon called ligament of Fallopius, and continung if
to the like di dance below the ligament.

4 We are next to make a final! hole immediately
below the ligament in the tendinous aponeurofis which
covers the mufcles on the inner fide of the thigl , and

is connected to the ligament.

4 We are then to introduce the point of a fmall fur¬
rowed probe or directory under the ligament : and
holding this in the oblique direction upwards, towards
the umbilicus, we are cautioufly and ilowly to divide,
with the draight probe-pointed knife, one little bun¬
dle of the tendinous fibres after another, ulrng the
knife as a faw, indead of entering its point deep with¬
in the tendon, and then railing its handle, fo as to
make a large fweep or extenfive incifion with the edge
of the knife.

4 I advife the edge of the knife to be turned towards

c J

the umbilicus; becaufe, if it be turned inwards, to¬
wards the ring of the external oblique mufcle, as Le
Dran cllredts, it will very readily cut the fpermatic-
chord, or round ligament of the uterus ; and if it is
turned outwards, as Mr. Sharp advifes, it may readily
cut the epigadric artery ; but when we turn it towards
the umbilicus, it will be direHed to the place at which
the fpermatic chord and epigadric artery crofs each
other, like the ftrokes of the letter x, and of courfe
will be at the grcatcft podible didance from both.

4 If, betides giving the knife this direction, we flow
Ty and cautioufly divide the tendinous ligament, dilat¬
ing the opening gradually by introducing the finger, I

know

242

HuntV Tliftqrical Surgery .

know, not only from the fituation of parts in the found
body^ but from a confiderable number of caies in
whicl I have abided in the operation, that the ten-
dinois ligament may be completely divided without
euttirg the fpermatic chord, or epigaftric artery.’

Tb engravings which accompany the work, and
whicl are feven in number, are highly illuftrative both
of thedifeafe and of the operation.

Art. XXVII. Hiflorical Surgery , or the Progrefs of
the Science of Medicine : on Inflammation , Mor¬
tification, and gunjkat Wounds. By John Hunt.
4 to. 407 Pages, price H. Is. London, 1 80 L
Rivingtons.

THE work before us is divided into fe&ions, the
fird of which is entitled, ‘ The Imperfedtions of
the Treatment of Mortification exemplified by the
indifcriminate Ufe of the Bark at improper Periods of
the Difeafe.* The author endeavours here to fhew
the infufficiency of the dodtrines, and the unfettled
Bate of pradtice, in this part of forgery, by a reference
to the writers of moil: diftinguifhed reputation ‘ the
firft of which that falls under his lafh is Mr. Bfom-
fieJd, author of Chirurgical Oh/ervations > a book with
which furgeons in general are familiar. The loofe am
foments and iqconclufive reafonings employed by
Mr. B. are feverely and pointedly noticed : in fadt, the
writers that would bear an ordeal of the kind here infti*
tuted, are few indeed. But ne quid nimis — we cannot
but think the time of the author, and Bill more that
of his reader, mifemployed in criticifing, for pages
together, the confiruclion of a fentence, or the arrange¬
ment of a word. The temper and feelings that lead
to fuch difcuflions are, perhaps, not the molt favourable
to the acquisition of truth, and are certainly not to
be envied. InBead of commenting on the obvious

(though

Hunt’f Illjlorical Surgery. 24$

(though perhaps ill expreffed) meaning of Mr. Brom-
field, much pains are taken to combat coneiufions he
never drew, nor intended to draw. The whole of
the work, indeed, abounds with criticifms merely
verbal.

The fecond fecVion has for its title, c The Divlhon
of Mortification into two Species; illuftrative of the
Effects of Bark and Opium.’ The author here en¬
deavours to fhew3that this important fubjeft has ne¬
ver yet been well explained, nor any rational treat¬
ment of mortification any where inculcated. The
waiters that are particularly noticed under this head
are Pott, Bell, and Hunter. The author labours to
prove, that Mr. Pott entertained no accurate ideas re-
fpedting the proper treatment of inflammation and gan¬
grene, but that he recommended, in general terms, the
employment of bark, opium, and evacuants, without
that diferimination of period, general health, and other
circumAances, neceflary to enfure a fuccefsfui iffue.
H is own opinion on the fubjedt is, that although bark
and anodynes may be united under certain circumAances
with advantage, yet, generally fpeaking, pain and irri¬
tation will terminate with the inflammatory fymptoms ;
and confequently, in the early period, bark cannot be
given with fafety, nor can ever prove inArumental in
abating the pain, or correcting that fp.ee ies of irritation
which is the immediate confequence of inflammation;
and if the inflammation is in a great degree, it is very
doubtful, he thinks, whether anodynes can be given
with a rational profpedi of fuccefs ; but after the in¬
flammation has fubfided, anodynes may be made ufe
of with fafety and advantage, either as cordials to
abate what he call's the irritation of debility, or to
procure repofe. The lancet and opium, according to
the author's fyflemi are always to be viewed in the
•light of oppoiites, and as fulfilling quite contrary in¬
dications. But this doftrine is clearly hypothetical,
and its fo urce evident : how true it may be, we mult
look to experience alone to determine.

* ■ Sect*

* . i ■ „

244

Hunt’.? llifiorical Surgery .

Sect. 3. 4 Amputation confidered as a Remedy in
Cafes of Mortification, and the Ambiguity of the public
Opinion on this Subjedf.’ The critical talents of the
author are here diredted againft Mr. Benjamin Bell*
whofe dodlrine, it muft be confe fifed, is neither clear,
nor confident with itfelf. The rule of praftice laid
down bv the author in the following paffages is ju¬
dicious and fatisfaftory.

4 The plain truth/ he ohferves, f is this 5 it is always
improper to amputate a limb when the body is in a
drfeafed ftate, fo that when inflammation has taken,
place, it is improper; and though mortification is cer¬
tain to fucceed, there is no period alter the commence¬
ment of inflammation when the operation can be
performed with falety until the mortification has ter¬
minated, and all morbid adtion ceafedd

c Amputation is therefore improper in all cafes of
gangrene ; in flight degrees it is improper, not only
becaufe it is unneceffary, but becaufe the difeafe,
which was not in itfelf dangerous, would be render¬
ed inevitably id by the operation ; and the objedtions
to the operation will increafe with the extent and
degree of difeafe. For in cafes of fpreading gan¬
grene, not only the mortified limb, but the fyflem, is
m a fiate of difeafe: a diathefis of the putrid kind
muft under fuch circumftances pervade the whole.

c The difeharge from the injured part, and other
local appearances, will evidently mark the commence¬
ment of putridity ; and the general fymptoms point
out with equal certainty the extent and degree of
conftitutional difeafe ; to operate at this period would
be laying an additional load on the finking powers 'of
nature, without the kail rational profpedt of advan¬
tage; for it the whole fyftern is aftedied, by amputa¬
tion we only remove a final! and unimportant part
of the difeafe; and if the difeafe is limited to any cer¬
tain part, then the operation is no longer an objedt of
confideration.’

Allowing that, whilft the gangrene is fpreading, am:*
putation would be highly improper, the fittefi: period

for

HuntV 11 ijlorical Surgery.

Mm *

{(

g (

for operation is foil to be determined. Mr. Bell’s
directions on this point are certainly objectionable :
he contends that it thou Id be performed as foon as
poffible after the termination of the difeaie. Mr.
H unt oppofeshim here with fuccefs. I would con¬
fident as fufficient,” fays Mr. Bell, “ to wait till the
mortification is fairly (topped, but not much lon¬
ger : in this manner, we feem to reap all the ad¬
vantages which the caution we have advifed can
give ; and the earlier after this that the mortified
parts are removed, the more readily will we prevent
the fyftem from differing by the abforption of
that putrefeent matter which a gangrenous mats
universally yields.” Thus early amputation is cer¬
tainly Mr. Bell’s leading objeCl ; but this lad effort
feems no better fupported than the former: his motive
is to prevent the abforption of putrefeent matter ; but
to effeCl this it will be neceffary that the whole of the
mortified parts fhould be removed ; and if the whole of
the mortified parts are to be removed> fome portion of
the found parts mud of necedity be removed with them ;
fo that to effeCl the object completely which Mr. Bell
has in view, the operation of amputation on the found
parts mud be regularly performed.

c In thisdage of the difeafe, our objeCl is not fo much
to remove the de^d parts as to preferve the living;
it is therefore not the date of the dead parts, but the
date of the living parts, on which the operation is to
be performed, that is to direCl our conduct. A partial
removal of the mortified parts cannot be productive
of the lead advantage : if any abforption of putrefeent
matter does take place, it mud be from that part
which is in immediate contaCl with the living ; and as
it would he impodible to feparate the dead and liv¬
ing parts without fome painful operation, this addi¬
tional injury would exafperate the difeafe and increafe
the danger.

* In a fcientific view, the removal of part of a dead
limb is certainly not worthy of our confideration ; but
trifling as it may appear to the furgeon, either in fciencc
vox. x. U or

240

Huntb llijloricai Surgery .

or in praftice, the patient may view the bufinefs
in a different light; and in fuch cafes of danger and
diffrefs, every probability of alarming the patient
Ihould be carefully avoided : at the fame time we
ihould conlider that this firft operation does not end
the bufmefs, and, whether it is or is not performed, the
fecond will be equally neceflary.

c The part where the operation might take place is
not mentioned ; but as Mr. Bell’s obje£f is to prevent
the abforption of putrefcent matter, he certainly would
fix on forne part beyond the limits of putrefa&ion. In
the few inffances where the patient furvives the mor¬
tification of a limb, we muff expend to find the whole
fyftem much exhaufted : in this ftate, to operate would
certainly not be advilable, except by fuch hafty pro-
ceedings fome impending danger was to be avoided,
or fome confiderable advantage to be obtained.

‘ By a reafonable delay, the conffitution will ac¬
quire returning energy, and the powers of heaffh be
in forne degree reftored. In mod cafes there is a
time when Nature particularly requires affiffance ; and
it betrays a want of profeffional knowledge to diredt
their conduct, when either furgeons or phyficians in¬
trude their affiffance before it is neceffary.

‘ in this inftance there is a time evidently pointed
out when the operation fliould take place; and that
is when the patient has recovered as much as poffible
from the debilitating influence of previous difeafe,
and before he begins to fink again in confequence of
the difcharge from the parts where Nature is effe61>
ing a feparation. This will be the period when Na¬
ture will have regained her full extent of returning
energy, and when amputation may be undertaken with
the greateft probability of fuccefs.’

Sect. 4. 'The Phyfiology of the Circulation of the Blood
confidered as the Bails ot the Pathology of Inflamma-
lion and its Coniequencesd I he general temper with
which the work was corapofed will be feen by the
exordium to this part ; and it may be taken as a pretty

241

HuntV Hijlorical Surgery .

fair fpecimen of the whole, c We come now,’ the
author obferves, c to a work of a different character
from any that we yet have had or fliall have
occafion to examine ; in which every page abounds
with the evidence of originality ; in which the
writer has attempted to inveftigate the firft prin¬
ciples of the animal (economy, to explain the pheno¬
mena of difeafes, and eftablifh the pradtice offurgery
on a philofophical and rational bafis. This is cer¬
tainly a fubjedl that merits our attention, and we may
admire the heroifm of the enterprife, though we
are under the painful neceffity of lamenting the want
of fuccefs.

c If we look back a century , we (hall find it was the fa¬
ff ion to give plain defcriptions of difeafes, and to point
out the method of cure by a catalogue of remedies,%
or by exadt copies of prefcriptions ; medical books
were then intelligible: but fince modern refinement
has changed the mode, and my fiery has acquired a deci¬
ded preference, the medical waiters of the prefent age
have been obliged to comply with the exigency of
the times, under a certain expedition, that the lefs a
book was underfiood, the more it would be admired,
and the more generally approved/

The peculiar notions of Mr. Hunter are here placed
in a ftrong light, and they are no doubt fufficiently ex¬
travagant. c After examining the progrefs of coagulation
4 under different circumftances and in various points
c of view, he (Mr. blunter) concludes by giving to the
‘ blood confcioufnefs and the power of volition, to re-
c gulate the bufmefs of coagulation, for “ good purpofes

on neceffary occafions;” and fums up the wffole,
c by giving his opinion, that “ it coagulates from an
“ impreflion of its fluidity being no longer neceffary : it
cc then coagulates to anfwer the neceffary purpofe of
« Jblidity.”

c But wTe may as well fuppofe the freezing of
water depends on an impreflion of the neceffity ; or
if, for the fake of a more Arid! analogy, we confine

U 2 our

248

HuntV Hiftoricai Surgery .

our obfervations to the changes that take place in ex*
travafated animal fluids under different circumftances,
we might with equal propriety conclude, that the
change of milk into butter or cheefe depended upon
confcioufnefs and volition.’

Sect. 5. • The modern Treatment of Mortification
in Cafes of gunfhot Wounds.’ From an examination
of the fentiments of different writers on the fubjeft of
mortification and its treatment, the author endeavours
to prove, indeed we think has proved, that it ft ill re¬
mains a queftion, in what manner, and under what
particular circurnftances, bleeding, purging, bark, and
opium, fhould be made ufe of, and whether warm or
cold applications have the preference. There is no
theory on the fubjecf at all fatisfaftory ; while afierted
experience is fcarcely to be relied on, fince the exhi¬
bition of the remedies in general ufe is, for the moft
part, founded on hypothetical notions of the nature of
the affeftion, rather than on Ample and genuine ob-
fervatioh of their effects.

Sect. 6. * The Diltinffion between local Inflamma¬
tion and a phlogiftic Diathefis, with an Explanation
of the Effects of Bleeding in inflammatory Difeafcsd
The author here for a moment quits the field of cri-
ticifm, and offers himfeif as our guide in practice : with
what pretenfions remains to be feen. e The moft
powerful remedies,’ he fays, ‘ that rational experience

* has difcovered for the cure of inflammatory difeafes

* are bleeding, purging, faline medicines, nitre, and

* emetic tartar.’ Were our author here examining a
paflage from the works of Mr. Hunter, or other jufily
celebrated writer, thus worded, he would be eager to
afk, whether nitre, and even emetic tartar, were not
included under the term /aline medicines. He ob¬
serves afterwards, that 5 there is one kind of inflam-
6 mation in which bleeding is particularly eflica-
e cious, I mean that kind which is productive of a fizy
£ ftate of the blood, fuch as in the integuments is
£ termed eryfipelas, in the membranes and ligaments
c acute rheumatifm, in the brain phrenitis, in the

6 lungs

249

Hunth* Hijiorical Surgery.

€ lungs peripneumonia, &c. This fpecies of difeafe is
* certainly the fame in all thefe inftances, with refpeft
4 to the general fiat e of the fyftem, & c.’ — But 4 in
4 cafes of external injuries of the extremities, the in-
4 flammation that takes place is not perfedlly firnilar to
4 that fpecies above deferibed : it does not occalion a
4 fizy ftate of the blood,’— 4 and as it differs in its na~

4 ture, it confequently requires a different method of
4 treatment,’ p. 121 ; that is, bleeding will not prove
equally efficacious in this fpecies of inflammation.

To this it may be anfwered, that it is well known at
prefent that eryfipelas does not in all cafes require or
bear bleeding, but, on the contrary, is fornetimes ren¬
dered worfe by this evacuation, and is belt treated by
bark and cordial remedies. Where the author got his
information, that inflammation following external in¬
juries does not occalion a fizy ftate of the blood, we
are at a lofs to difeover : certainly not from experi¬
ence and obfervation ; for provided the inflammation
be fufficient in degree to aflfedi the general fyftem, and
produce what is termed fymptomatic fever, the buffy
coat in this cafe as readily takes place on the blood
as it does in inflammations that arife fpontaneoufly, or
from general caufes. This error we deem as perni¬
cious in practice as it is unfounded in facl. The pro¬
priety of blood-letting, as a general remedy, in cafes
of inflammation ariling from external injury, is too
well eftablifhed to be fhaken by any thing here ad¬
duced. At the fame time, practitioners of experience
will know how to limit its ufe, where the injury is fo
great as to threaten mortification ; and they will of
courfe look forward to the period of debility and ex-
hauflion which is to follow, and regulate their con¬
duct: accordingly The fizy ftate of the blood, which
the author teems to conftderas fo infallible a teftofthe
inflammatory ftate of the fyftem, and of the propriety
of blood-letting, is at belt a fallacious guide, as every
day’s obfervation in cafes of phthifis pulmonalis
evinces.

(To be continued.)

Art.

Falconer on Influenza •

250

Art. XXVIII. Obfervations on the Conftitution of
Womens and on fame of the Bif cafes to which they
are more efpecially liable. By Sayer Walker,
M.B. Phyflcian to the City of London Lying-in -
Hofpital, and to the City Difpenfary . 12cno. 228
Pages. Price 4s. London, 1803, W. Phillips.

' ■' , >'

THEdlfeafes peculiar to the female fex are fo nume¬
rous and important, as to call fora large (hare of the
phyfician’s attention. But it is perhaps of (till more con¬
sequence that the fex themfelves fhould entertain accu¬
rate and well-founded notions of their conftitution and
its peculiarities; for almoft the whole of the preven¬
tion, and much of the alleviation, of the complaints to
which they are efpecially obnoxious, muft depend on
their own exertions and prudent caution. The au¬
thor of the little manual before us has fucceeded in
drawing up a code of fimple and concife inftrudlions,
eafily intelligible by thofe to whofe ufe they are efpe¬
cially dedicated, and to whom we can fafely recom¬
mend their attentive perufal.

Art. XXIX. An Account of the Epidemical Catarrhal
Fever , commonly called the Influenzas as it appear¬
ed at Baths in the Winter and Spring of the Year
1 8.03. By William Falconer, Mi),, F.R.S. ,
8vo. Is. 6d. London, 1803. Robinsons.

r~|p$KE difeafe, in feveral cafes which came under
JL Dr. Falconer’s obfervation, was of fo inflamma¬
tory a kind as to require a&ive bleeding, and in one cafe
which terminated fatally, ftrong marks of pneumonic
inflammation were found after death. Vertigo was a
very frequent, and, the author thinks, almoft a cha-
racteriftic fymptom. The difeafe appeared to him to
be contagious.

Art.

Moreau V Natural Hi ft or y of Woman. 251

Art. XXX. On the Influenza , as it prevailed in
Briftol , and its Vicinity , during Part of February,
March , and Part of April 1803. John Nott,
M.D. 8vo. Price Is. London, 1803. Longman
and Rees.

ACCORDING to the author’s obfervation, blood¬
letting was feldom found ferviceable at Briftol,
though, as we have feen above, it wras repeatedly call¬
ed for and indifpenfible at the fhort diftance of ten
or twelve miles. Nor did the difeafe appear to Dr.
Nott to be contagious. Thefe are incoofiftencies which
it is not eafy to reconcile, but on the fuppofttion of
feypothefis having a (hare in the formation of opinions.

. . .0 ■ " ■ 11.' ...'I

Art. XXXI. Hiftoire Nature lie de la Femme, 8U\
The Natural Hiftory of Woman , followed by a
Tread] c on Hygeiene , as applied to the phyflcal
and moral Habits of the Sex , at the different Pe¬
riods of Life. By J. L. Moreau, Profeffor of
Hygeiene at the Atheneum of Paris , 8Cc. 8vo. 3
vols. Paris, 1803. Imported by T. Boosey, Lon¬
don.

rpHE author of this work has availed himfelf of
JL the neweft difcoveries in cherniftry, compara¬
tive anatomy, galvanifm, &c ; and has treated his
fubjed with great precifton, and much in detail. In
regard to the application of galvanifm, he adduces a
Variety of curious and important experiments made by
hint on the organs of generation and of geftation ;
from which it appears, that thefe organs, contrary to
the aflertions of Bichat , are under the influence of the
galvanic flimulus. They do not, indeed, contraft
vifibly, becaufe it is not their nature to manifeft their
living power in this manner * * but they are excited in

952’ Moreau V Natural flljlory of Woman.

the mode which is peculiar to them : they fufiain im-
preffions more or lefs vivid and active, and {hew, by
unequivocal phenomena, the irritation they undergo
from the electric contact.

Extending his refearches to other organs, M, Mo¬
reau finds them equally fubjedt to excitation, accord¬
ing to their peculiar nature. Thus, the heart has its
pulfations accelerated, and the inteftines their vermi¬
cular motion ; the cellular tiffue itfelf ilirivels, and
gives evident figns of corrugation.

Cit. Dupuytrcn obferved analogous phenomena in
the bladder : in galvanizing this organ, after having
introduced a glafs tube into its cavity, he tied firmly
the canal of the urethra, and obferved the urine rife
to different heights in the tube, according to the force
of the contractions.

Upon the whole, the author concludes, from his ex¬
periments, that the organs placed beyond the fphere
of the will and of the action of the cerebral nervous
fyftem are undoubtedly fubjedt to eledtrical irrita¬
tion ; and that probably the apparatus of Volta may
lead to new difcoveries in regard to the fympathies of
the fvfieim

MISCELLANEOUS*

XiY

§ £0. On Variations of the Weather . Continued

from page xxx.

ART- 2 . c Of the direbt Caufes which produce Variations in
the State of the Weather/ Numerous obfervations have
convinced M. Lamarck , that the jiate of the weather defends
folely on two caufes: ill. On the influence of the light of
the fun ; 2d. On the influence of the winds.

No philofoplier, M. Lamarck obferves, can fuppofe, that
the moon has any power of producing immediately either
fair or foul weather. This planet cannot be the direbf
caufe of the formation of clouds, rain, fnow, &c.; nor of
the reftoration of the air’s tranfparency. The moon only
abfs on the atmofphere, as on every other body, by univerfat
gravitation ; that is to fay, by the attraction Ihe exerts :
and hence all her influence on the atmofpherical fluid
reduces itfelf to the producing, in the inferior flrata
of the air, derangements of the fluids compoflng thofe ifrata,
or thofe currents of air which we term winds.

The fun, putting its light out of the queftion, abts on the
terreflrial atmofphere in no refpebt differently from the
moon, and even ff ill more feebly than the latter. Now, if
the abtion of the moon and fun, in regard to their attrablion,
is merely exerted in the produbflon of the winds , if we add
to the ablion of the winds that of the fun’s light on the at¬
mofphere, we (hall then have in thefe two caufes (the winds
and the folar light) the complement of tpofe which, in their
combined variations, produce proportional variations in the
ftate of the weather in every climate.

If this be the cafe, we perceive that, as the principal caufe
of the winds a efts with tolerable regularity, and as the inten-
flty of a 61 ion of the fun’s light is alfo pretty regular in its
mutations, there is no impoflibility in our being able to
' app reflate the variations of thofe caufes.

The influence of the winds on the weather is alfo ftibjecfl to
certain laws not wholly incalculable. Daily ohfervation

, X

VOL. X.

MISCELLANEOUS.

xlvi

ffiews, that every change of wind, either in refpedt of direction*
force, or compofition, produces immediately a change in the
fiate of the weather, with the exceptions which often take
place in the two ftationary hates abovementioned. We
may he certain that every fudden change of weather depends
principally on a change of wind, for we know that a change
in the intenlity in the fun’s light is never fudden or general.

In our latitudes, every variation of the wind neceffarily
produces a change in the temperature of the atmofpheric
ffrata where it takes place. This in like manner produces
a change in the denfity, in the elaflicity, in the point of fatura-
tion, &c.; caufes quite adequate to the production of a change
inthe hate of the weather. This power ©f the wind over
the temperature of the air in the middle latitudes, often over¬
comes the action of the fun ; and hence it is, that the wea¬
ther is often warmer in winter, when the wind happens to
blow long from the fouth, than in the height of fummer with
ihewind in a contrary direction.

Art. 3 . Of the Way in which the Caufes producing
Changes in the Weather act.” Although each particular direc¬
tion of the wind produces certain general effects, there are
yet frequent exceptions to the general rule, and which M.
Lamarck thinks he is able fatisfactorily to explain. The
north or north-eaji wind, which in general is accompanied by
a clear Iky, fome times produces the contrary Hate of weather, .
as clouds and rain, In order to explain this, M. Lamarck dif~
tinguifhes the Jimph from the compound winds ; that is,
winds which blow at different heights in two or three different!*
directions. He has obferved, that when the north or north
taft wind is accompanied with fine weather, it is always.
dmph. It then tends to lower the temperature, and to in-
ereafe the denfity, of the air, and confequently to raife the
barometer.

On the contrary, when cloudy and rainy weather accom¬
panies a north or north-eaji wind, he conftantly found that*
the upper region of clouds came from the fouth. This cir-
cumftance throws great light on the caufes which favour the
production of clouds.

MISCELLANEOUS.

• ©

X1Y11

V f - t I

In cafes where the direction of the higher region of
clouds could not be feen, from the opacity of the lower ftrata
of the atmofphere, M. Lamarck convinced himfelf, neverthe-
lefs, of the exiftence of an oppofite current from the fouth,
by the finking of the barometer, which always occurred.

Thefe oppofite currents, the higher one from the fouth
and the lower from the north , occafion an evident inverfion
in the natural order of the atmofpheric ftrata, and readily
account for the changes in the ftate of the weather. When
different currents exift in the air at the fame time, the ftate
of the weather in fuch cafe is not exactly according to the
exiftence of thofe winds, but depends on their refpe&ive
fituations. For example, when the wind blows at the fame
time from the 7iorth and from the fouth , we may expedt to
fee the atmofphere become clearer, provided the fouth cur¬
rent be below and the north above; whilft the contrary will
happen if the northern current be below. — M. Lamarck then
cites various obfervations, made by himfelf, on the actual
ftate of the weather, and w hich tend ftrongly to confirm the
hypothelis he has advanced on the fubjedl. The following
are given as the general refult of his obfervations.

In winter, all the different ftrata of the atmofphere in our
climate being generally more cooled than at other feafons,
if a wind from any fouthern point prevails in the middle
ftratum of the region of meteors, this ftratum is of too high a
temperature in relation to the adjoining ftrata; the decreaf-
ing progreifion of temperature is loft, and the weather be¬
comes cloudy or rainy. When, in thefe circjumllances, the
wind blows with greater violence, it divides and breaks the
clouds, the courfe of the more elevated becomes perceptible,
if any exift, or the fky appears clear and tranfparent. Laftly,
if, at fuch a feafon, the inferior ftratum of air be cooled by a
wind from the north, whilft the middle ftratum, receiving a
current from the fouth, has its temperature railed, the diforder
is greater, the weather becomes rainy, a damp cold is felt,
both difagreeable and unhealthy. Nothing is more com¬
mon than fuch weather in the courfe of our winters.

X 2

When

MISCELLANEOUS.

When a fouth-weft wind is confined to the inferior flratmrs
of the atmofphere, if a north wind blows at the fame time in
the middle and fuperior ft rata, the iky may be clear, or p re¬
lent only feparate and fcattered clouds ; but if the fouth
weft wind extends itfylf to the middle ftratum, the fky will
be ob feared, and rain follow; efpecially during winter. If, in
this cafe, a northern current again blows in the middle lira-
turn, the Iky becomes again more or lets clear, although the
fouth wind continues to blow below.

A fimple wind may produce clear weather; as when it
blows from the north or north-eajt: but a fimple wind may
likewise in certain circumftances occalion clouds and rain, as
from the fouth or fouth-zvefl , provided it is of fufficient extent
to reach the middle ftratum of the atmofphere.

Such is the outline of M. Lamarck' s interefting obferva-
tions on the variations of the weather and their caufes: fhould

■x.

they be confirmed by future obfervers, they cannot fail to be
productive of eminent pradlical utility.

§ 21. On the Climate and Difeafes of Syria and.
Egypt. (From Travels in Turkey, Afia Minor,
Syria, and acrofs the Defert into Egypt, in the
Years 1 799, 1800, and 1801). By William Witt-
man , M.D., Surgeon to the Britifh Military Million
acting with the Army of the Grand Vizier. 4to.
London, 1803.

“ The Syrians are fubjedl to few endemic difeafes, of which
the pforophthalmy, an inveterate complaint of the eyes, is
the principal and moft common. It prevails fo generally,
that in the town of Jaffa nearly two-thirds of the inhabitants
had, from its effedls, loft the fight either of one or of both
the eyes; infomuch, that the number of blind people led
about was truly aftonifhing. It appears to me, that the re¬
mote caufes of this obftinate difeafe, the effedls of which are
fo calamitous, may be traced to a bad diet ; an expofure to a
hot air from the white and burning funds, the fine particles of

which

MISCELLANEOUS.

xlix

Which float aim oft perpetually in the atmofphere; and, laft-
ly, the confined huts or dwellings in which the inhabitants
refide. In fupport of the probability of the fecond of thefe
caufes, it has been remarked that during the feafon when the
figs and grapes ripen, that is, in the months of May, June,
and July, when the moil intenfe heat prevails, the difeafe is
moll common, and is accompanied by an imufual malignancy.
With refpedt to the latter caufe, which has been affumed, it
fliould be remarked, that the habitations of the poorer claffes
of Sy rians, to whom the pforophthalmy more particularly at¬
taches itfelf, are formed of a few hones badly cemented to
gcther by means of mud or dung, and which, having but a
fin all elevation from the foil, rather referable cells or caverns
for the abode of anchorites, than dwellings in which the con¬
veniences of focial life are confulted. Being utterly deftitute
of chimnies, or other openings to carry off the fmoke, the va¬
pours of the dried camels' dung, which is burned for fuel, dif-
perfe themfelves in the foul atmofphere in which the wretch¬
ed inmates are enveloped, and, among other baneful cffedts,
cannot fail to irritate the organ of vifion. It is mold com¬
monly owing to the fame caufe of the impure air which they
infpire in thefe miferable hovels, that the countenances of
theSyrian peafants are haggard, fqualid, and without that ani¬
mated glow which denotes an equable circulation of the
blood, and a free paffage through the excretory channels of
the fkin.

“ The other difeafes moft prevalent in Syria are dyfentery,
cutaneous eruptions, ftnalbpox, putrid, intermittent, and re¬
mittent fevers; and, laftly, the plague, which it would appear,
however, is generally brought from other countries. The
fmall-pox is frequently very fatal among the inhabitants,
who,- to guard againft its ravages, have fometimes recourfe to
inoculation. In thefe cafes, it is their practice to pundture
the arm with a fharp inftrument, hmilar to a needle, and to
rub on the pundtured part the variolous matter taken from a
chofen putlule. This mode of inoculation is confined to the
chrifiian Arabs, who are pretty luccefsful in the refiilt, al¬
though thev have no recourfe to internal remedies. The

malignant

MISCELLANEOUS.

malignant fevers generally prevail in the winter fesfon, and,
during the months of November and December 1800, fwept
off a great part of the population of Acre.

The treatment of difeafes^ employed by the Syrians
is as capricious and immethodical as confined within nar¬
row limits. They place a great confidence in the ule of the
lancet; but to this they have recourfe in. the fpring feafon
only of the year.

“ As an argument of the fakiLary temperature of the air
of Syria, the very rare occurrence of pulmonary difeafes
Ihould be adduced, as well as the numerous inftances of
longevity among the inhabitants, who frequently attain the
age of 100, and in forme inftances of 110 years and upwards.
Were they in a more civilized ft ate, and united in a facial
compact under a good government, they would become very
numerous and powerful ; the Syrian women, who many very
young, being remarkably prolific.”

The leprofy, which, in companion with its frequency in
former times, may be faid now to have become in a great
meafure extindt, is thill obferved in foine of the ifiands on
the eoaft of Alia. The following is an account of this dif-
eale as it appeared to our author in the ifland of Scio.

We walked afterwards to the hofpital for the reception
of lepers, fituated in a valley on the north-weft fide of the
town, from which it isdiftant about a mile and a half, or two
miles. This building is a very airy, extenfive, and comforta¬
ble .refi’dence for thefe unfortunate people, nearly two hun¬
dred of whom of both fexes reftded in it at the time of our
vifit. They wefe all adults, children not being liable to
this difeafe, which does not manifeft itfelf until about the
age of fifteen. Different apartments are aftigned to the
males and females. Thofe we law appeared to be in general
from thirty to forty years of age ; but others were ftill older.
Several of them had loft one or both the eyes; others the
lingers and toes ; and others, again, the nofe. The limbs of
the greater partofthefe unfortunate wretches were in a con¬
tracted ftate, with fwelling of the hands and legs. The
eruptions were more numerous in the face than in any other

part.

MISCELLANEOUS.

part. The difeafe, indeed, is confined to the legs, arms, and
face, the body being externally free from its attacks. Among
thefe leprous lubjects it was productive internally of cough,
hoarfenefs, pain in the ffomach, and difficulty of digeflion; in
addition to which, the females complained of a continual ver¬
tigo and pain of the head.7'

On the external ufe of oil in the plague, a remedy that
was ftrongly recommended a few years back, both as a pre¬
ventive and a cure, by the Britifh Conful at Alexandria,
Mr. Baldwin, the following observations occur : they fee in
to afford nothing very fatisfadlory in favour of the oil.

A patient ill of typhus, and two perfons who attended him,
the plague prevailing in the camp at the time, were compell¬
ed to perforin ftrict quarantine in a guarded tent. f<r After
having waffled and cleanfed themfelves,” fays our author,
i( our three individuals in the tent rubbed one another with
warm oil all over, and this being done, they drank a baiin of
warm coffee, and laid down between blankets. A chafing-
difh of charcoal was kept in the tent while they were rubbings
in ordering this, we endeavoured to comply with the ufual
directions as much as. was practicable in our fituatioiis in,
camp. A copious and comfortable perfpiration was the
refult of this fridtion, which was continued without interrup¬
tion every night until they were cl i {charged from their confine-
ment, which was at the expiration of forty-two days, when
they began by deftroying their tent, and all their clothes,
bedding, &c. &c. Baying bathed in the fea, they now put
on frefh clothes, and joined the party of the miffion in ex¬
tremely good health, each of them being become quite lufty
and fat. The typhus patient, of whole life I had defpaireti
previouffy to the ufe of the oil, was quite recovered, and much
improved in his ufual appearance. It is neceffary to remark,
that he continued to take his former medicines, bark, anodyne

draughts, &e. during the application of the oily frictions.” — -
The author concludes by giving his Opinion, that although
the oily frictions failed to cure the plague in a patient on.

whom.

Ill MISCELLANEOUS.

whom il was employed,, yet in the inftances above defcritn
ed it was ufeful in preventing it.

It is lingular that, at the prefen t day,, there fhould exift
op polite opinions refpeciing the contagious principle of
plague. There are profeflional men wlio have come forward,
published, and disavowed the contagion of plague. There
are others who have fo far encouraged and adopted this
dangerous dotftrine, as to have put it to the left of experiment
by the inoculating of themfelves. Dr. White, formerly a
navy furgeon, when in Egypt, in 1801, had the temerity to
inoculate himfelf in the arms with recent matter taken
from the bubo of a peftiferous patient, and likewife rubbed
the fame matter upon different parts of his body. Not 'con¬
tent with endangering his own life, he wrant his Arab fer-
vant in the bedding of an individual lately dead of plague.
The difeafe was folly produced upon himfelf, and buboes form¬
ed. He died, I believe, the fourth day from the attack !
The Arab fled. I had endeavoured to difcourage him from
purfuing this dangerous opinion, that the plague was not
contagious ; the contrary appearing fo manifeft to me upon
variety of occalions.

{C To corroborate this latter opinion, I have to relate fome
few faffs. A pelice, the property of a Turk who died from
plague, was given to another, who, without fear or thought,
put it on his back, caught the infection, and quickly died.
In this way this pelice might have paffed into the hands
of twenty more, with the fame apathy and fatal effects.

“ A gunner of ardllery belonging to the military million
entered the tent of a peftiferous patient contrary to orders;
fupported the flioulders of the patient, while he took drink ;
immediately caught the infection, and died at the end of five
days, with buboes and fymptoms of plague.

44 I received information from the Imperial Conful, and
mthers at Cairo, that in 1801 a veffel arrived at Boulac, from
Upper Egypt, laden with fenna. The crew related to the
*Conlul, that they had loft two men after twenty-four hours
i! niels, which -report, from all the accounts he could colled!,
Induced him So oelieve the difeafe to have been plague. He

made

MISCELLANEOUS.

Jiii

itiade known the circumllance, and the neceffity there was
for the veifel to be put under quarantine^ previoufly to her de¬
parture for Upper Egypt. His laudable advice was rejected,
although he had been a redden t in Egypt forty years. On
the arrival of the veifel at the place of her deftination in
Upper Egypt, only one of the crew was alive to relate the
difmal dory ; the jreft had fallen viCtims to the plague on
their palfage. This unfortunate man tranfported with him
the feeds of the difeafe to his home, where he foon died, and

many others likewifeff

«/

“ It is obferved by the French, that the plague which
comes from Upper Egypt is the molt aftive and fatal : it is
true that the year 1801 afforded a dreadful example of its
malignity and deftructive influence. The difeafe was fo
general, and fo fatal where it raged, that whole villages',
towns, and diftricls, had their inhabitants fwept off by this
cruel fcourge, while the cattle were ftraying about for food
and owners.

The difeafe is faid to travel progreffively from Damafcus
in Syria, from town to town, until it arrives in Egypt. Some¬
times it commences at Cairo, and travels through Syria; and
then the intermediate towns and places, one after another,
buffer this fcourge of human affliction.

Thole who believe that plague is not contagious, fupport
their opinions by bringing forwards a number of incidents to
prove, c that perilous who have been expofed to peftiferous
c patients, and who have had communication with fuppofed
* infeCted merchandize, clothes, &c. &c/ have efcaped
without receiving the infection. The fame thing happens
nearly with fmall-pox. Indeed, repeated inoculations
are occafionally abfolutely neceffary to produce the variolous
infection. This fa ft would feem. to imply, that a certain
fufeeptibility is required to receive the infection.

“ Although an individual may have happily efcaped in¬
fection at one time, yet it does not follow that the lame good
fortune may attend him at another : this lame want of fufeep¬
tibility, or whatever may be the power of refilling its bane¬
ful effeCts, may not always continue to pervade the habit;

vol. x. Y and

liv

Miscellaneous.

and therefore the n eg] edl of laudable, ufeful, and neceffary
precautions, may tend ultimately to overthrow the moll
hardy and intrepid, more particularly as the general curative
means are fo extremelydeficient or inefficacious in the plague.

“ With all the fadts before my eyes, l have been aftoniih-
ed at the indifference of the muffulmen employed in the
burial of the dead, to fee them handle and touch the bodies
of peftiferous fubjedls, as though they had died of common
difeafes. Every corpfe of a muffulman is regularly walked
and fhaved before interment ; and thefe interments are com4
plete nuifances, the body being fcarcely covered by the earth.
The putrid exhalations, therefore, from their cemeteries,
or burial-grounds, are prodigioully offenlive in hot weather.
The perfons employed in the interments are, however, faid
to catch the difeafe occalionally, and die.

“ Query. Probably the fame adlive infedlion is not to be
received from the dead fubjedl as from the living ? it being
faid, f that the moll favourable and fure period for the
c propagation of plague is during the Hate of fever/

“ A perfon long relident in Egypt affured me, f that
f the difeafe, for the moll part, appeared among the inha-
c bitants in the following order :

“ ‘ Blacks and negroes ;

f Mamelukes and whites ; and, lallly,

“ ‘ The natives of the country/

“ In thefe peftiferous countries, the precautions which
the Ghriftians take render them lefs fubjedl to the plague
than the Mahometans. Yet we are told, that out of 270
Greeks, inhabitants of Cairo, feventy died of plague in
1801. The Bedouin Arabs of the defert are faid to be much
lefs fubjedl to the plague than the Fellahs, or Arab inha¬
bitants of towns and villages.

“ It is generally remarked, that a deviation from a
light diet under this difeafe, and after its recent disap¬
pearance, is frequently produdlive of mifchief, in as much
as it favours a relap fe, or protradls recovery/

The danger is proportioned to the diminution of
vital energy, and extent of fever. Deaths happen from the

MISCELLANEOUS.

iirft lo the feventh, and even eleventh days of the difeafe; the
moil frequent from the fourth to the eleventh day ; yet fatal
terminations occur often at the expiration of twelve or twen¬
ty-four hours. Among the youths and middle aged there
is faid to be the greateft number of deaths.

“ In Egypt, the plague prevails when the Nile is low,
about the months of March, April, May, and June ; at the
latter end of June, the difeafe is for the moll part obferved to
be upon the decline. At this period the weather is extremely
hot, and the heat generally continues during the months
of July and Auguft. In June 1801, Fahrenheit’s thermome¬
ter fluctuated in the (hade at Cairo from 100 to 108 degrees ;
while in July and Auguft the higheft was 106 degrees :
the heat was oppreflive, being reflected from the neighbour¬
ing mountains of Mokkattam.

“ At Constantinople, the cold weather in winter is obferv¬
ed to put a Hop to plague. We have therefore feen, that
the extremes of heat and cold are unfavourable to the propa¬
gation of plague.

Since the trade with Egypt has been interrupted dur¬
ing the war, Conftantinople has fullered but little from plague
for the three laft years. From the heft information re¬
ceived, and obfervations recently made, it would appear
that the plague is a native of Africa and of Alia. It is
remarked by the inhabitants, that the difeafe is more preva¬
lent at Rofetta than in any other town or part of Egypt.
The ftreets of Rofetta are extremely narrow, and very dirty.
The manner in which the inhabitants live crowdedly together
would appear fufficient, in a ftagnant ftate of the atmofphere,
in ffioft of their towns, &c. to generate peftilential or malig¬
nant difeafes. The very few comforts and conveniences
which fall to the lot of the poorer clafs of the natives in
Egypt, by far the moft numerous, would lead one naturally
to expect great mortality when the plague prevails among
them. Dreadful examples are feen annually to happen.

“ When I was at Rofetta, in February 1802, I perceived
fwampy, boggy grounds near to the town, the ditches, and

Y 2 fm all

Ivi

MISCELLANEOUS.

fmall canals contiguous to which, and the gardens, had
offenfive ftagnant waters within them*.”

The difeafe had appeared at Alexandria before I
left it in March, and feveral had died in the lazaretto. This
contagion was fuppofed to have been imported from Rofetta.
The plague is generally obferved to commence in commer¬
cial places, and this circumftance probably gave rife to the
idea, that contagion was imported in articles of merchan¬
dize, &c. fromdiftant parts.

“ At the termination of the plague feafon, when one may
naturally fuppofe that there is the g re ate ft accumulation of
infebted materials, clothing, bedding, tents. See. it is lingular
(pnlefs heat be admitted as an ufeful agent in deftroying con¬
tagion) that the difeafe Ihould, as it were, difappear ofitfelf,
and that rather fuddenly.”

Amongft other anomalies of the plague, it is ftated, as com¬
monly faid, that the Dardanelles are never infefted by that
difeafe, unlefs when it rages with great and uncommon vio¬
lence at Conftantinople. A ftill more lingular fabt has alfo
been ftated, namely, that in the town of Mito, on the Euro¬
pean fide, and oppoftte to Abydos, the inhabitants are not fuf-
ceptible of the plague ; and that the infebted perfons who
have oecafionally been brought thither by Health have all
recovered.

“ An old barber-doctor in Cairo died in the year 1801 from
plague, at the advanced age of ninety-fix years. This man
had long been celebrated among peftiferous patients, attend¬
ed and bled them oecafionally, and at the age of ninety-fix
years caught, for the firft time, the infection, under which he
funk.

“ A perfon in Cairo, interpreter to a French officer, who
had fallen a victim to plague in 1801, caught the infec¬
tion from his mailer, and communicated the difeafe to his

This obfervation, connected with the preceding one, that the plague prevails
when the Nile is low, appears to render it probable that this difeafe is merely a ma¬
lignant remittent fever. This will appear ftill more probable, when it is confidered
that buboes and glandular abfcefles are common in Syria, in cafes where the plague
is not fuppofed to be concerned.”

mother.

' MISCELLANEOUS.

Ivh

mother, niece, and another perfon within the fame houfe,
all of whom died, while two fmall children in the fame family
efcaped i n fedlion

From the feventh to the nineteenth of March, the plague

ra^ed w ith increafed violence at El Arifh. It was hated that

the Turks had loft by this difeafe the one-half of their army,
which conftfted fome weeks before of fix thoufand men. Yet
towards the end of the month the plague fuddenly difappear-
ed. Nearly the whole of the month the weather was tem-
peftuous and rainy, with thunder and lightning.

On the fubjedf of Oph thalmia, the information furnifhed by
Dr. W. has been in great meafure anticipated by other
writers: this difeafe rages with violence annually, about the
time when the Nile is low, and the country in a ftate of ex¬
treme drynefs. Ophthalmy is not confined to the human race;
borfes, camels, dogs, affes, &c. being fubjedf to inflammation
of the eyes, and its effects, both in Syria and Egypt.

i • •

§ 22. An Account of cm Hemorrhagic Difpojition
e sc if i n g in certain Families. By J. C. Otto,
M.D. , of Philadelphia. (From N. Y. Med.
Ilep., No. 21.)

About feventy or eighty years ago, a woman by the name
of Smith fettled in the vicinity of Plymouth, New Hampfhire,
and transmitted the following idiofyncrafy to her defeendants.
It is one, fhe obferved, to which her family is unfortunately
fubjedl, and had been the fource not only of great folicitude,
but frequently the caufe of death. If the leaft fcratch is made
on the fkin of fome of them, as mortal a hemorrhagy will
eventually enfue as if the largeft wound is inftidfed. The
divided parts, in fome inftances, have had the appearance of
uniting, and have fhown a kind difpofition to heal; and, in
others, cicatrization has almoft been perfect, when, generally
about a week from the injury, an hemorrhagy takes place
from the whole furface of the wound, and continues feveral
days, and is then fucceeded by effuftons of ferous fluid :
the ftrength and fpirits of the perfon become rapidly pro-

ftrate ;

MISCELLANEOUS.

Iviii

fixate ; the countenance aflumes a pale and ghaflly appear*
ance; the pulfe lofes its force, and is increafcd in frequency;
and death, from mere debility, then foon clofes the fcene,
Dr. Rogers attended a lad, who had a flight cut on his foot,
whofe pulfe “ was full and frequent” in the commencement
of the complaint, and whofe blood “ feemed to be in a high
flate of effervefcence.” So allured are the members of this
family of the terrible confequences of the leaft wound, that
they will not fuller themfelves to be bled on any conlidera-
tien, having loll a relation by not being able to flop the difr
charge occafioned by this operation.

Various remedies have been employed to reftrain the he-
morrhagies : the bark, aftringen'ts ufed topically and internal¬
ly, flroog ftyptics, opiates, and, in fadl, all thole means that
experience has found ferviceahle, have been tried in vain.
Phvficians of acknowledged merit have been confulted, but
have not been able to direct any thing of utility. Thofe
families that are fubjedl to certain complaints are occafionally
relieved by medicines that are inefficacious when applied to
others; and family receipts are often of greater advantage in
reftoring them, than all the drugs the materia rnedica oilers for
that purpofe. A few years fince, the fulphate of foda was acci¬
dentally found to he completely curative of the hemorrhages
I have defcribed. An ordinary purging dole, adminiftered
two or three days in fucceffion, generally flops them ; and,
by a more frequent repetition, is certain of producing this
effedl. The cafes in which the mofl powerful, and apparently
the mofi appropriate, remedies have been ufed in vain, and
thofe in which this mode of treatment has been attended
with fuccefs, are fo numerous, that no doubt can exift of the
efficacy of this prescription. The perfons who are fubjedl to
this hemorrhagic idiofyncrafy fpeak of it with the great eft
confidence. Deceptions may take place from accidental co¬
incidence; but when a complaint has often occurred, and been
almoft uniformly fatal without the administration of a certain
medicine, and has conflaiitly yielded when it has been given,
fcepticifm fhould be filent with regard to its utility. Nor
fhould our inability to account for the fa6t, upon the theory

and

MISCELLANEOUS.*

and principles we have adopted, be conceived a fufficient
reafon for difbelieving it. An attempt to explain the mode
of operation of this valuable remedy might give birth to much
fpeculation. As the affection has been attended with morta¬
lity, and there is generally a difpofition to give relief as early
as poffible, experiments have not been made with the other
neutral falts to learn their comparative effect; nor have medi¬
cines been tried wiiofe operation might be fuppofed to be
fimilar. The prescription being known to the whole family,
application is rarely made to apfayfician, and when it is, it is
rather with a view of directing him how to proceed, than of
permitting him to make a Series oi trials and obfervatlons
which might be at the hazard of the life of the patient. The
utility of the fulphate of foda cannot arife from its debilitating
effects, lince it has been found fer vice able when the previous
depletion has been great, the ftrength much exbaufced, and
the fyftem has evidenced fymptoms of direct debility. Perhaps
time will elucidate its mode of operation, and fome general
principles may be developed that may be applied to advantage
in retraining ordinary hemorrhages; but reafoning upon what
has "been difcovered to be ufeful in idiofyncracies, and appl v-
ing it to the general conftitution of human nature, mult
neceffarily be vague, and productive of occaiional evil. In
every cafe, however, a doubtful remedy is preferable to leaving
the patient to his fate. The fulphate of foda has constantly
fucceeded when adminiftered ; but the prefcription being in
the poffeffion of the Shepard family, the defcendants of
Smith, and the cafes that have been attended by phyficians
not being very numerous, it is impollible to ascertain the
various ftates of the fyftem in which it has been given, or to
form any correct conehuions refpedliogdts manner of adfeinev
No experiments have been made on the blood to difcover if

any or yhat changes take place in it.

It is a fqrprihng ci'rcumftance that the males only are fuh-
jedt to this Itrarige affedtion, and that all of them are not
liable to it. Some perfons, who are curious, fuppofe they can
diftinguifh the bleeders (for this is the name given to them),
even in infancy : but as yet the charadleriftic marks are not

it * ^ i *

ascertained

3x MISCELLANEOUS;

afcertained fufficiently definite. Although the females art*
exempt, they are ftill capable of tranfmitting it to their male
children, as is evidenced by its introduction, and other in^
fiances, an account of which 1 have received from the Hon,
Judge Livermore, who was polite enough to communicate
to me many particulars upon this fuhjeCt. This fact is
confirmed by Drs. Rogers and Porter, gentlemen of charac¬
ter refiding in the neighbourhood, to whom 1 am indebted
for fome information upon this curious difpofition. When
the cafes (hall become more numerous, it may perhaps be
found that the female fex is not entirely exempt;, but, as
far as my knowledge extends, there has not been an inftance
of their being attacked.

The perfons fubjebl to this hemorrhagic difpofition are
remarkably healthy, and, when indifpofed, they do not differ
in their complaints, except in this particular, from their
neighbours. No age is exempt, nor does any one appear to
he particular!}' liable to it, The fituation of their refidence is
not favourable to fcorbutic affeblions or difeafe in general.
They live, like the inhabitants of the country, upon iolid and
nutritious food, and, when arrived to manhood, are athletic,
of florid complexions, and extremely irafcible.

Dr. Rufli has informed me, he has been confulted twice in

the courfe of his practice upon this difeafe. The fir ft time*
by a family in York, and the fecond, by one in Northampton
county, in this fiate. He likewife favoured me with the fol¬
lowing account, which he received Tome years fincefrom Mr.
Boardley, of a family in Maryland afflicted with this idiofyn-
crafy.

“A. B,, of the ftate of Maryland, has had fix children, four
of whom have died of a lofs of blood from the moft trifling
fcratches or bruifes. A fmall pebble fell on the nail of a fore¬
finger of the laft of them, when at play, being a year or two
old : in a fhort time, the blood iffued from the end of that fin¬
ger, until he bled to death. The phyficians could not flop
the bleeding. Two of the brothers fiill living are going in
the fame way; they bleed greatly upon the flighted; fcratcb,
jjnd the father looks every day for an accident that will defiroy

theun

MISCELLANEOUS^

, Ixi

them. Their furviving fitter fhows. not the leatt difpofition
to that threatening di (order, although fcratched and wounded.
The father gave me this account two days fince, but I was not
inquifitive enough for particulars.”

§ £3. On the Means of lejfening the Pains and
Danger of Child-hearing , and of preventing its
consequent Difeafes. By Beniamin Rufli, M.D.
(Ibid.)

It has generally been fuppofed, that a neceffary and un¬
changeable connection exifts between pain and child-bearing.
Such a connection, it is true, was eftabiittied between them,
as part of the curfe inflicted upon woman after the lofs of her
primeval innocence. A fimilar connection was eflablifhed
between labour and the fweat of the brow in man ; and yet
thoufands of our fellow men live without labour, in the enjoy¬
ment of all the comforts of life. Even the curfe which was
inflicted upon the earth has been in part repealed, by
the fpontaneous or artificial fruitfulnefs which has fucceeded
to briars and thorns in many countries. The mitigation of
the pains connected with child-bearing has been effected in
Turkey by the ufe of fweet oil (which acts only as a purge)
during the laft months of pregnancy. A fimilar alleviation of
thofe pains has been produced by climate, in a part of Africa,
in the Brazils, in Calabria, in Sicily, and in feveral of the
W ett India iflands. A fcanty diet has fo far leffened them in
the Indian women of our country, that they are able to work
a few hours after their delivery, which is fometimes effected
without the aid of a human creature. Heaven, in thele ia-
ftances, has kindly intimated to us, that the pains of child¬
bearing are not entailed upon the female fex by an immuta¬
ble law. In our attempts, therefore, to improve and extend
the means of leffening them, we do but develope the kind
and benevolent difpofition of the Creator of the world
to the human race.

To induce a belief in the efficacy of certain remedies which
are calculated to leffen, and, perhaps, Anally to dettroy, the
vol. x z

Ixli MISCELLANEOUS.

pains of child-bearing at all times, and in all ftates of fodety>
it will be neceffary to premife the following proportions :

1. Pie vioufly to child-bearing, the female lyftein is gene¬
rally plethoric, and unduly excitable, from the ratio between
exercife and the appetite being deftroyed by an excefs of the
latter during pregnancy, and from the influence of the dif-
tended ftate of the uterus upon the whole fyftem.

2. Child-bearing is a difeafe. The form of this difeafe is
a fpafm of a clonic nature. It does not militate againft the
truth of this propofltion, that the morbid affeCtfon of the
womb is not attended with inflammation ; for we now know
that difeafe does not conlift in inflammation, that it is one of
its effeCts only, and that the higheft grade of difeafe often
exifts without inflammation. The fymptoms of this partu¬
rient difeafe foinetiroes appear in chills, preternatural heat,
thirft, a quick, frequent, full, and tenfe pulfe, pains in the
head and other parts of the body.

3. The operations of Nature in this difeafe, as in mold others,
are exceflive, deficient, or not properly directed to accomplifh
her purpofes. Their excefs appears occafionally in great paini
in the bowels, in haemorrhages from the uterus, in convulfions
of the whole nervous fyftem, in the total ah fence of contrac¬
tion in the uterus from the fuffocation of its morbid excite¬
ment, in the wrong pofition of the foetus in utero, and in the
protraction of exquiflte and fruitlefs pains far beyond the
time neceffary to exclude the foetus. The operations of
Nature in child-bearing, I believe, are not often deficient
in force. Women who have been debilitated by previous
difeafes, or by accidental evacuations of any kind, have
generally very eafy and natural labours.

As a natural inference from the above propofitions, I go
on to remark, that the remedies for difficult and painful par¬
tition fhould be the fame as for all other convulfive and
fpafmodic difeafes, taking care to vary them according to the
force of the difeafe and the ftate of the lyftem. As the dif¬
ficulty and extreme pain of child-bearing ai de chiefly from an
excels of natural force, or from an improper direction of it,
X fhall firfi mention the remedies for leffening its pain and
fliortening its duration.

The

MISCELLANEOUS.

Ixiii

The firft of thefe remedies is blood-letting. I fuggefted
the ufe of this remedy, with moll of the above reafons in
its favour, in my Ledfures, in the year 1791* On the 11th
of January, 1795, a man came into the Fennfylvania Hofpital,
whole fhoulder-bone had been luxated for two months. All
the ufual methods of reducing it had been tried to no purpofe.
Or. Phyfick, to whofe care he was committed, began his pre
parations to relieve him, by drawing blood from his arm until
he fainted. While he lay in this infenfible ftate, the Dodfor
reduced the bone with but little force, and nearly in the
twinkling of an eye. This eafy and happy cure increafed my
confidence in the lancet in parturition. It was confirmed Hill
more by recolledling its controuling influence over the morbid
excitement of the uterus, in preventing abortions in the yel-
low fever of 1793, and by refledling on the inftant relief
which it affords in colics, convulfions, and all other violent
difeafes, which affedl, at the fame time, the mufcular and
arterial fyfiems. But I am happy in being able to add, that
my opinion of the efficacy of blood-letting in abating the
pains and danger of child-bearing no longer refts upon rea-
foning and analogy. Dr. Dewees, of this city, has adopted
it with the happieff effects. Dr. Brown, formerly a pupil of
Dr. Phyfick, has lately ufed it in his pradfice in Cheffer
county, in our State, to an extent which has added greatly to
the benefits derived from it. He feldom draws lefs than thirty
ounces of blood in the beginning of a labour. The confe-
quences of this copious lofs of blood, in the diminution of
pain, and accelerating the exclufion of the foetus, have been
highly grateful to his patients, and pleating to their friends.
Conlidering the predifpofing caufes of plethora and excitabi¬
lity which have been mentioned, I am difpofed to believe a
much larger quantity of blood than thirty ounces might be
drawn in fome cafes, and at certain times, with advantage.
Thefe times are in the winter and fpring months, and during
the prevalence of inflammatory and malignant epidemics; for,
in the latter period, Hippocrates long ago obferved labours to
be more difficult than at any other time #. It is from the in-

* Book i. Conft. 3d.

Z 2 fluence

MISCELLANEOUS.

1'xiy

fluence of the fame fiate of almofphere which produces thefe
more difficult labours, that abortions are fo common during
the prevalence of the plague in all countries #.

I am aware that this remedy is not a new one to a certain
degree ; but I believe it has never yet been advifed nor ufed in
the copious manner, nor regulated by the morbid phenomena
of child-bearing, which have been mentioned.

2. In addition to the lofs of blood, fuited in quantity to the
fymptoms of the parturient difeafe, the bowels fhould be plen¬
tifully opened by means of glyfters, and the diet and drinks
Ihoukl contain as little ftimulus and nouriffiment as poffible.

3. Perhaps an advantage would arife from adviling a low
diet to pregnant women for ten days or twro weeks before they
are confined ; alfo from the ufe of lenient purges once or
twice a week, agreeably to the Turkilh practice, during the
three laft months of their pregnancy. The good effects of
this regimen in leffening the violence of the fmall-pox and
yellow fever encourage us to expedt fimilar benefits from it
in the violent difeafe of parturition.

I have hitherto advifed the ufe of blood-letting, and other
depleting remedies, only as the means of leffening the pains
and danger of child-bearing; but their advantages would pro¬
bably extend much farther by preventing the after-pains— -hae¬
morrhages — obftrudfed lochia — retention of the placenta—
prolapfus uteri— inflamed breads — fwelled legs — colics — mad-
nefs and fevers, which fo often follow delivery. Even the
fc6tus would probably be benefited by the ufe of the above
remedies, by fuffering lefs from preflure and bruifes in a te¬
dious and painful palfage into the world.

You will perceive, from what has been advanced, that the
principal defign of this communication is to fuggeft that a
morbid action may be converted into a natural one, and
thereby placed upon a footing with other adtions of the body
which are painful or tedious only from difeafe. The lower
limbs and the arms, which fuffer exquifitely in a rheumatifra,
are overftretched, without pain, in running, and lifting heavy
weights. The blood-veflels, likewife, when excited into

* Diemerbroeck de Pefte,

morbid.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Ixy

morbid adtion in a fever, communicate pain to the head and
other parts of the body; but the fame vetfels, when increased
in their force and dimentions by the equable and healthy ac¬
tion induced by violent exercife, are never known to produce
pain, and fubfide by reil, without danger or injury to any
part of the fyftem.

The cafes of difficult and painful delivery, from a ftate of
the fyftem below that to which depleting remedies are calcu¬
lated to reduce it, I have hinted, rarely occur. Moft of the
labours I have met with, or heard of, in the laft ftage of
chronic difeafes, have been ffiort, and comparatively eafy.

Where there is reafon to believe the contradlions in the
uterus will be too weak to expel the foetus, a cordial diet
fliould be advifed previoufly to the expedied time of confine¬
ment; and where the abfence of throes, and the flow progrefs
of delivery, indicate a deficiency of mufcular irritability in
the fibres of the uterus, opium fliould be given in proportion
to the exigencies of the fyftem. I think I have feen the hap-
pieft effedts from that excellent medicine, in fuch cafes, in
deftroying ufeiefs pains, and fhortening the duration of labour.
How far a medicine fo powerful (if fuch can be found) as
wholly to fufpend the fenfibility of the nerves, without im¬
pairing their irritability, might fucceed in deftroying pain
altogether, I know not ; but the following fadt (hows that
it has been deftroyed by a difeafe which produced that effedl
upon the nerves, A lady, who had been for feveral years
fubjedt to epilepfy, was delivered of a child in one of her
fits. Immediately afterwards fhe fell afleep. Her child was
dreffed, and laid by her fide. In the morning, as foon as
Hie awoke, fhe faw this child, and afked with furprife whofc
it was. Upon being told it was her’s, fire declared that die
had no recollection of having felt the leaft pain in bringing
it into the world. This information was communicated to
me by the hufband of the lady, a few hours after her delivery,
for I was then attending her for another indifpofition. In
this inftance we fee what Dr. Darwin calls a fenfitive and
irritative difeafe converted into a difeafe wholly irritative.

§ 24. Account

MISCELLANEOUS.

§ 24. Account of a Spaniard capable of fupporting
extraordinary Degrees of Heat. By J. €. Dela-
metfoerie. (From Journal cle Phyfique, An. 11.)

The following relation, however extraordinary it may feem,
comes in too unqu'eftionable a fhape to be contested, in the
molt material points at lead. We therefore give it in the
words of the refp eel able journalift from whom we have bor¬
rowed the narration.

u A man of Toledo, in Spain, about twenty-three years of
age, lately arrived in Paris, has made a number of experi¬
ments to. lliew that he is capable of fupporting great degrees
©f beat without being incommoded by it. We proceed to
give an extract from thofe made at the School of Medicine,
in prefence of feveral of the profeffors, about 300 Undents,
and many other perfons. The man was v hi ted previoufly, but
nothing wasobferved in him different from the ordinary date
of a man in health. His pulfe beat from 75- to 78 in a
minute.

u Exp. 1. There was brought before him a veffel of oil
heated’ to the 85th degree of Reaumur ; (<224° Fahrenheit ; that
is, 12 degrees above the heat of boiling water): he opened his.
hand, and applied the palm of it repeatedly on the oil ; he
then walked his hands and face with it, and alfo applied the
foies of his feet to it. At the end of the experiment, the
'heat of the oil was (till from 76° to 78° (203° to 207° F.).

Exp. 2. A bar of iron, about 20 inches long, 2| wide,
and 6 lines in tkicknefs, was heated to a red heat at one of
its extremities, and placed on foine bricks. The Spaniard
refled the Idle of one of his feet on the red part : the portion
of oil which full adhered to the foot immediately took fire.
He then did the fame with the other foot, and repeated it
feveral times.

Exp. 3. The fiat part of a large iron fpatula of 18 inches
was heated to a red heat. The Spaniard applied his tongue
repeatedly to the part which was red hot. There were after¬
wards placed before him three glades of clear water ; in one
of which were put a few drops of fulphuric acid, and in an¬
other

MISCELLANEOUS.

oilier a quantity of common fait: the third contained only
pure water. He diflinguilhed perfectly the particular tafite of
eachl

(C Exp. 4. He took alighted candle, and drew it feveral
times up and down the back part of his leg;, from the heel to
the ham. i

(e On examining him after all thefe trials, his fkin appear¬
ed not at all altered. The foies of his feet were blackened
with foot, which might be attributed to the carbon of the
oil,; but his piilfe beat from 130 to 140 times in a minute/’
After this period, it feems, he went into an oven heated to
70° (190° F.), and remained there during fome minutes : but
this is much inferior to the heat borne by Drs, Fordyce and
Blagden,in the celebrated experiments recorded in thePhilofo-.
phical Tranfadlions fever al years ago. The heat in thefe role
to 1019 (260° of Fahrenheit). Thefe gentlemen remained
for many minutes in a room heated to 83° (230° Fahren-,
heit), without feeling greatly incommoded by it. In the
fame room were placed fome eggs, and a dice of beef. In
twenty minutes the eggs were taken out quite hard, and in
forty feven minutes the meat was not only drelied, but
almoft dried up.

MMMWP ii-iiJUuju

§ 25. Correction of the ill Flavour of Malt Spirits .

The flavour of malt fpirits is laid to be greatly improved,
and made to referable that of French brandy, by immeriing in
it, for a fortnight, a mixture of finely powdered charcoal and
ground rice, in the proportions of 3 f ounces > of the former,
and 4j of the latter, to a quart of the fpirit. The mixture midi;
be frequently agitated, and afterwards drained.

§ 26. Fafy Method of preferring Anatomical Pre¬
parations from the Con taQ of the Air.

Mr. Carliile recommends for this purpofe, to have the
glafs jars made with a groove half an inch deep round the out-
tide of the top or mouth, and a glafs lid, like that ufed by eon-
fedtioners in their fhow glafies : the lid fitting loofely into the
groQve ig rendered air-tight by hogs-laxd; a iubdanoe which is

rnr ft • •

Jxvill

MISCELLANEOUS.

never quite fluid at the higheft temperature of this climate,’
and always foft enough in the cold feafon to admit of remov¬
ing the lid, or top, for the purpofe of examining the content®
of the veffel.

v 1 \ -<* ,

Jars of this conflrudlion have been made by Parker, of FLeet-

ftreet, London, and are perhaps applicable to many other
nfeful purpofes, as the prefervation of pickles, preferves, &c,

Nicholfon’s Journal for October.

§ 27. Goat-pock , a Subftitufe for the Vaccifte.

(Med. and Phyf. Journal.)

From the want of vaccine matter in Spain, the virus afford¬
ed hy fome eruptions obfervedon the udders of goats has been
lately employed as a fubftitute for vaccine matter, and with
an equal effedi, as is faid, of preventing the fm all-pox. The
evidence yet given on the fubjedf can hardly be confidered as
decifive, but it appears to merit attention. There may be
flill other animal potions endowed with the property of fu«
perfeding variolous addon*

No. LVIII.

THE

MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL

Hebieto.

JANUARY, 1 804,

Art. XXXII. The Edinburgh New Difpenfatory :
containing , 1. The Elements of Pharmaceutical Che-
mijlry. 2, The Materia Medica ; or , the Natural \
Pharmaceutical , and Medical Hiftory of the differ¬
ent Subfiances employed in Medicine . 3. The Phar¬

maceutical Preparations and Compofftions ; includ¬
ing complete and accurate Tranjlations of the 8 vo.
Edition of the London Pharmacopoeia , publijhed
in 1791 ; Dublin Pharmacopoeia , publijhed in
1794; and of the New Edition of the Edinburgh
Pharmacopoeia, publijhed in 1803. Illuftrated and,
explained in the Language and according to the
Principles of Modern Chemijlry. With many new
and njeful Tables , and feveral Copperplates , ex¬
plaining the New Syjlem of Chemical Characters ,
and reprefenting the mofi ufeful Pharmaceutical
Apparatus, By Andrew Duncan Jun M.D, ,
Fellozo of the Royal College of Phyjicians of Edin¬
burgh , $fc. 8fc. 8vo., 704 pages. Price 9s. Edin¬
burgh, 1803. London, Robinsons.

• C ' ♦ , ' ' /

FROM the ample title-page givep above, and
from the preface, a conliderable part of which
we (hall transcribe, our readers cannot fail to make
themfelves acquainted with the general nature and
vol, x. A a defigu

254- DuncanV New Edinburgh Difpenfatory .

defign of the volume before us : it becomes us to adcfr
that the execution is fuch as to do credit to the talents
and induftry of the editor. It is no fmail addition to
the merit of the work, that fo large a mafs of ufeful
and interefting matter is furniffied to us at a rate by
no means ufual, of late, in medical publications y.
which we, in common with all lovers of fcience, are
forry to fee, with few exceptions, rendered almoft
inacceffible to the majority of practitioners, by the
needlefsly expenlive mode in which they iiTue from
the prefs. Plain truths need only a plain garb 3 and
in fuch a fubjeft as medicine, coftly ornaments are at
jeaft mifapplied.

4 Dr. Lewis the editor obferves, 4 publifhed the
firft edition of his New Difpenfatory in 1753. The
principal part of the work was a Commentary upon
the London and Edinburgh Pharmacopoeias, of both
of which it contained a complete and accurate tranf-
lation. A concife fyflem of the theory and practice
of pharmacy was prefixed as an introduction ; and
di regions for extemporaneous prefeription, with
many elegant examples, and a colledrion of efficacious
but cheap remedies, for the ufe ot the poor, were add¬
ed as an appendix.

4 The manner in which the whole was executed
placed Dr. Lewis at the head of the reformers of
chemical pharmacy ; for he contributed more than
any of his predeceilors to improve that fcience, - both
by the judicious criticifm with which he combated
the erroneous opinions prevalent in his time, and
by the actual and important additions he made to
that branch of our knowledge. He was juftly re¬
warded by the decided approbation of the public.
During the author’s lifetime many editions were pub-
liffied, each fucceedmg one being improved as the
advancement of the faiences connected with pharmacy
! u g g e fl e d imp r o v e m e n t s

4 After the death of Dr. Lewis, Dr. Webfler, Dr.
Duncan, and Dr. Rotheram, fucceffivelv contributed
to maintain the reputation of the work, by taking

advantage

Duncan *s New Edinburgh Difpenfatory. 255

^advantage of the difcoveries made in natural hiflory
and chemifiry, and by making thofe alterations which
new editions of the Pharmacopoeias, on which it was
founded, rendered neceffary. From the place of their
publication, and to diftinguifh them from the original
work of Dr. Lewis, which was Hill reprinted in Lon¬
don, thefe improved editions were entitled, The Edin¬
burgh New Difpenfatory .

* When the Edinburgh College fome time ago de¬
termined to publifh a new edition of their Pharmaco¬
poeia, the bookfeilers, who purchafed the copy-right
of that work being defirous that it fhould be accom¬
panied by a correfponding edition of the Edinburgh
Nezv Difpenfatory , applied to the prefent editor to
make the necefFary alterations. This he readily un¬
dertook ; and the number of the alterations made will
ihew, that if he has not fulfilled what was expeCted
from him, it has been owing to want of ability, and
not to want of exertion.

f The general plan of the work remains the fame.
It is divided into three parts. The firfi contains Ele¬
ments of Pharmacy ; the fecond the Materia Medica ;
and the Jail, the Preparations and Compofitions.

* The firji of thefe is entirely new, nothing being
retained but the title. It is divided into two fedtions.
The firfi: contains a very concife account of fome of
the general doctrines of Chemifiry and of the proper¬
ties of all fimple bodies, and the generic characters
of compound bodies. In the fecond part, the
Operations of Pharmacy , and the neceffary appara¬
tus, are defcribed ; and an Appendix is added, con¬
taining many very ufeful Tables, and the Explanation
of the Plates.

‘ We now poffefs fo many excellent elementary
works on chemifiry, both tranflations and original
works, fuch as thofe of Dr. 1 homfon, Mr. Murray,
and Mr. Nicholfon, that it is perhaps neceffary to
explain why we have introduced an Epitome of
Chemiftrv into this work.— Bat its introduction is not

A a 2 only

256 Duncan V New Edinburgh Difpenfatory ,

only authorifed by the example of former editions 5
but in attempting to explain in a fcientific manner
the operations of pharmacy, we found ourfelves fo
frequently obliged to mention the general principles
and faCts ofchemiftry, that, to avoid tedious repetitions,
it became neceffary either to refer to fome elemen¬
tary book already publifhed, or to prefix to this work
a fhort abftraCt of chemical fcience. The latter
alternative was preferred, as it would form a bond of
connection between the detached fubjeCts treated of
in the other parts of the work, and as it appeared, that,
by means of a due attention to arrangement, and by
rejecting hypothetical reafoning, a very few pages
would be (Efficient to contain a valuable collection
of the faCts afcertained with regard to the Ample
bodies, and the generic characters of compound,
which would enable us to explain the properties of
the fpecies employed in medicine with more facility to
ourfelves, and with more advantage to our readers.
Long after this part w?as ready for the prefs, Mr.
Davy’s Syllabus was publifhed ; and we were agreeably
flattered to find, that, befides the fame general ar¬
rangement, we had often taken the fame view of the
fame fubjeCts. This fimilarity enabled us on feveral
occafions to profit by Mr. Davy’s Syllabus during the
printing of the (beets.

‘ The principal addition to the fecond and third
^arts of this wmrk is the introduction of a complete
tranllation of the excellent Pharmacopoeia of the
Dublin College, which has never, we believe, appear¬
ed before in the Englifh language. We therefore
truft, that it will be found an important and valuable
addition. In Ireland, in particular, it mult give the
Edinburgh New Difpenfatory an intereft which it did
not formerly pofifefs.

‘ The fecond part contains the Materia Medica, ar«
ranged in alphabetical order. The alterations in this
part are alfo very confiderable. We have adopted the
Nomenclature of the Edinburgh College, or rather of

Natural

D uncan V New Edinburgh Difpenfatory . 257

Natural Hiftory, in preference to the officinal names
hitherto employed. . To the fyftematic name of each
article are fubjoined its fynonimes in the different
Pharmacopoeias, and the defignations of the parts
ufed in medicine ; then the clafs and order of na¬
tural bodies to which it belongs ; and if a vegetable,
the exafl number of its genus and fpecies, according
to the excellent edition of Linnaeus’s Species Plan -
taritm , now publifhing at Berlin by Profeffor Willde-
now.

4 In other particulars, confiderable additions have
teen made to the natural hiftory of the different
articles, to the means of diftinguilhing them from
other fubftances with which they are apt to be con¬
founded, and of detefting frauds and adulterations.
Almoft every thing which regards their chemiftry is
entirely new. As from the principal lift every article
has been excluded which is not contained in the
n\ateria medica of at leaftone of the Britifh Colleges,
we have given in an appendix a very concife account
of fuch other articles as poffefs a place in feme refpeft-
able foreign Pharmacopoeias; but we have to exprefs
our regret, that, notwdthftanding repeated attempts,
we have never been able to procure the laft edition5
of the Pruffian Pharmacopoeia, publiftied at Berlin in
1799. We have alfo added lifts of the medicinal
ftmples, arranged according to the beft fyftems of
natural hiftory.

c The third part contains the Preparations and Com-
pofttions.

€ In our general arrangement of thefe, we have not
followed any of the Colleges exactly, although we
have not deviated much from that of the Dublin Phar¬
macopoeia. It is not of very great importance in
what order the claffes or chapters be arranged; but
thefe claffes fhouldbe natural, and, ifpoffible, eftabliffi-
ed on one general principle. Unfortunately, however,
in moft Pharmacopoeias, fome of the claffes are found¬
ed on chemical analogy, and others on the fimila-

A a 3 rity

258 Duncan’.? New Edinburgh Difpenfatory.

rily of form or mode of preparation ; and what is dill
worfe, fome are entirely anomalous and unnatural.
The lad error we have carefully endeavoured to avoid ;
but we have not attempted, and, indeed, it feems
fcarcely poilible, to form an ufeful arrangement on
a dngle principle. The analogous preparations in
the different Pharmacopoeias are always placed im¬
mediately next each other, which renders it eafy to
compare them, and to difeover at once the circurn-
ilances in which they refemble or differ from each other.

* The commentaries upon this part are more or
lets full, as the fubjecl feemed to be more or lefs im- '
portant. Little alteration has been made in the ob-
fervations upon their medical powers, becaufe they
were generally the remit of more practical experience
than we poffefs, and becaufe this Difpenfatory is to
be conddered rather as a pharmaceutical than a prac¬
tical expofition of the Bri tills Pharmacopoeias. At
one time it was alfo intended to have inferted exam¬
ples of extemporaneous prefeription, with obferva-
tions ; but it would have extended the work too much
beyond its ufual limits; and fortunately the latter
deficiency is well fupplied by the Thefaurus Medica-
minum, and the former by the Practical Synopfis of
the Materia Alimentaria et Medica, and by Dr.
Cullen’s claffical work.

‘ During the progrefs of this publication, all the beft
journals and fyftems of chemiflry, particularly Four-
croy’s Syjieme des Conlioijfances Chimiques , have been
occafionally confulted, for chemical information. But
we lie under more immediate obligations to fome of
the German writers on pharmacy, fuch as Hagen,
Hermbflaedt, Gottling, Gren, and Weflrumb. The
writings of the French chemifls alfo contain detached
pharmaceutical fafts ; but it is not a little remarkable,
that a nation which has publifhed the heft fyfiems of
chemiflry fhould not have produced a fingle elemen¬
tary work on pharmacy that is not below mediocrity/

From a number of ufeful Tables here given, we
lhall extraft the one containing a comparative fcale

259

Duncan V New Edinburgh Difpenfalory .

of different thermometers, as a fubjedt to which we
have frequently occafion to refer, in our notice of
foreign articles.

The thermometer in general ufe in this kingdom
is that of Fahrenheit. In this, the range between the
freezing and boiling points of water is divided, arbi¬
trarily, into 180 degrees; and as the greateft poffible
degree of cold was fuppofed to be produced by
mixing together fnow and muriate of foda (common
fait), this was made the zero, or 0; and the freezing
point became 32°, the boiling point 212°.

In Sweden, the freezing point is taken as the zero $
and the interval between that and boiling water is
divided into 100 degrees. Hence it has been called
the centigrade thermometer, or thermometer of Celjius:
it is the one employed at prefen t in France.

Reaumur' $ thermometer, which was formerly ufed
in France, divides the fpace between the freezing and
boiling points of water into 80 degrees, and places
the zero, or 0, at the freezing point.

Wedgewood's thermometer, or, as it is commonly
termed, pyrometer , is only intended to meafure very
high degrees of heat, afeertained by the degree of
contradfion that takes place in pieces of clay of a de¬
terminate fize and figure, when expofed to a more or
lefs intenfe heat. Its zero correfponds with 1077° of
Fahrenheit' s, and each degree of JVedgezvood is equal
to 130 of Fahrenheit.

In order to reduce the degrees of Reaumur into
thofe of Fahrenheit , the rule is, multiply the former
by 9, divide the product by 4, and to the quotient
add 32 ; which gives the degree on Fahrenheit's feale.
— The fameproceft will reduce the centigrade deg rees
to thofe of Fahrenheit , if we only divide by 5 inffead
of 4.

To reduce Fahrenheit to Reaumur , fubtradt 32 from
the former, multiply the remainder by 4, and divide
the product by 9 ; which gives the degree according
to Reaumur's feale.

A a 4 Table

260 Duncan V New Edinburgh Difpenfatory.

Table of the Degrees of different Thermometers,
omitting Fraffions, at which fome remarkable che¬

mical Phenomena occur.

Reaumur

Fahren. j

Cent.

—35°

—46°

—43°

—-34

—45

—42

—32

-39

—39

— 24

—22

—30

—14

— 18

2 9

106

122

127

130

145

165

6 1

170

176

185

192

212

100

212*

100

219

104

248

120

112

283

140

120

303

150

j 50

370

188

164

400

205

l6S

410

210

190

460

238

226

540

282

22 6

540*

282

228

546

285

Ether freezes

Ammonia exifls in a liquid form
Mercury freezes
Acetous acid freezes
Cold, produced by mixing equal
parts of fnow and muriate of
l'oda

Ice melts

Phofphorus burns llowly
Wax melts

The adipocire of mufele melts

Fat begins to melt

Spermaceti melts

Ether boils

Phofphorus melts

Refill of bile melts

Phofphorus burns vividly

Fat is perfectly fluid

Ammonia is feparated from watet

Camphor fublimes

Albumen coagulates

Sulphur evaporates (Kirwan)

Alcohol boils

Sulphur melts (Kirwan)

Adipocire of biliary calculi melts

Water and volatile oils boil

Sulphur melts (Fourcroy)

Phofphorus evaporates ?

Nitric acid boils
White oxide of arfenic fublimes
Sulphur burns flowly, and cam-,
phor melts j

Charcoal burns
Arfcnic melts ?

Tin melts?

Bifmuth melts

Lead melts (Newton) ; arfenia
fublimes
Tellurium melts

Sulphuric acid boils (540° Berg¬
man)

232

Duncan V New Edinburgh Difpenfatory. 261

Reaumur

F ahren.

Cent.

Wedg’

232

554

290

Phofphorus boils ?

299

57 0

239

312

• • * •

Sulphur burns vividly

250

594

• * * *

Lead melts (Morveau)

252

6*00

315

Mercury boils ; linfeed oil boils
Sulphur fublimes (Davy)

2 97

700

371

• • « 1

Zinc melts

341

800

427

• • • •

Hydrogen gas burns

345

409

432

• • • •

Antimony melts

56*4 '

1300*

705

1.7

Azotic gas burns

1451

3297

1814

Diamond burns (Sir G. Macken¬
zie)

2024

4587

2530

Copper melts

2082

4717

2602

Silver melts

2313

523 7

2992

Gold melts

7975

17977

99H9

130

Cobalt melts

9131

20577

11414

150

Nickel melts

9602

21637

12001

158

Iron melts

9708

21877

12136

160

Manganefe melts

10286

231 77

12858

170*

Platinum, tungften, molybde«
num, uranium, and titanium,
melt.

Of freezing Mixtures. During the folution of many
faline bodies, a very coniiderable reduftion of tem¬
perature takes place. The following Table contains
fome of the mod convenient mixtures for the purpofe.
It is to be obferved, in order to produce the greatefl:
effe£l, that the lalts ought to be recently cryftallized,
and reduced to a very fine powder ; and the mixture
fhould be made as quickly as polhble. To produce a
very great degree of cold, the materials mull be pre~
vioufly cooled down by means of other mixtures.

Table of freezing Mixtures.

A Mixture of

reduces the Temperature

Muriate of Ammonia ........

Nitrate of potafs .

kfrom 50° to 10°.

Water . . .

...16' . J

Sulphate

Hunt's Ilifiorical Surgery.

2 62

A Mixture of reduces the Temperature

Sulphate of foda . . .
Muriatic acid .

£ from 5 0° to 0°.

Snow ....

^ from 32° to 0°.

Muriate of foda. . . .

Snnw .

... 1..... '

. o

Muriate of foda. . . .

> from 0° to — 5°.

Snow . . .

.Muriate of foda. .......

Muriate of ammonia, and
Nitrate of potafs .

— 5° to — 18°.

Snow . .

Muriate of foda. . .
Nitrate of ammonia

12 . 1

5 . from — 1 8° to — - 25°.

Snow .

Diluted fulphuric acid

Snow ........

Muriate of lime

Snow .

Muriate of lime

Snow . . .

Diluted fulphuric acid

8.. .
10. ..

from 20° to - — 6o°.

from 32° to — 50°.

from — 40° to — 7 3°.

from — • 68° to — 91°.

Art. XXXIII. Hunt’-j Hiftorical Surgery. 4to,

( Continued from page 249.)

Sect. 7. ‘ Principles of topical Bleeding de-

I monftrated, and the Ineflicacy explain**
edd 4 It is now near two centuries/ fays the au¬
thor, 4 lince the difeovery of the circulation of
c the blood was revealed’ [i. e. lince the difeovery
i difeovered] 4 to the public ; and even at

£ the

263

Hunt’s Hiftorical Surgery .

e the prefent day it is not yet determined whether the
c effects of bleeding are limited to the parts near to that
* from which the blood is taken ; or .whether its in-
c fluence is equally diftributed to all parts of the fyftem./
The author here, as on many other occafions, creates
monfters, that he may fliew his fkil] in deftroying them.
Nobody fuppofes that the effects of bleeding, if at ail
confiderable in point of quantity, are limited to the
part whence the blood is drawn ; nor does any one,
lave the author himfelf, we believe, doubt that the in¬
fluence of topical bleeding is greater near the affected
part than in the more remote parts of the fyflern.
The knowledge of this is not the refult of any fpecula-
tion on the nature of the human body, confidered as
an hydraulic machine, but is derived from long and
abundant obfervation. With fuch a guide, pra£tition-
ers will not be deterred from this mode of treating dif-
eafes by any a priori arguments, however fpecious.
Phyiicians do not in general, as the author infiriuates,
employ topical as a fubftitute for general bleeding ;
but rather, and more frequently, as an auxiliary to this.

The pra£tice recommended by Sydenham, of bleed¬
ing in pleurify, in preference on the fide affeQed, is
here compared with the old direction, to bleed in the
cephalic vein in difeafes of the head ; and the author
wonders that he fliould have fallen into thfs error, as
he wrote fubfequent to the difcovery of the circula¬
tion of the blood by Harvey. But the comparifon is
altogether unjuft. The latter practice was advifed
from an anatomical miftake, the cephalic vein being
fuppofed to communicate immediately with the head;
whereas Sydenham’s preference (erroneous no doubt)
for bleeding in the affected fide in pleurify was founded
on hydraulic principles, which teach, that if one of
two tubes, derived from the fame flock, be opened,
the velocity and momentum of the fluid pa fling through
the correfponding branch will he diminifbed. The er¬
ror of Sydenham lay in comparing the human body with
an hydraulic machine, and not in ignorance of the dif-
tribution of blood through the fyftem.

The

264 Hunt’.? llijlorical Surgery .

The arguments employed by the author againft
bleeding in the temporal artery in affections of the
head appear to be well founded ; indeed, the prac¬
tice is at prefent greatly gone into difufe.

( Mr. J, Hunter,’ it is obferved, ‘carries the idea of topi¬
cal bleeding far beyond his predeceffors : the objeft was
to bleed in external parts for the purpofe of removing
internal difeafe ; but now, bleeding is recommended
in fuch external parts as are in a date of inflammation*
This [ conflder a violation of what ought to be refpeft-
ed as one of the molt facred laws in furgery, not to
add injury to a part already in a date of difeafe. We
are told, that “ commonly little irritation follows the
wound of a leech it will be candid on this occafion
to fuppofe, that thefe humble branches of furgery were
beneath our author’s notice ; but 1 have frequently
feen very extenfive inflammation from the bite of a
leech, and have repeatedly met with inffances where
large ulcerations have taken place, that have continued
for three weeks or a month before they were com¬
pletely healed ; and I fliould prefume, thefe would
not prove a very falutary addition to a fraCtured limb,
or an agreeable companion in a fit of the gout, in
which topical bleeding is recommended.

* In the treatment of gunfhot wounds, he fays,
<c it is often of fervice in the time of inflammation to
ce bleed in the part with leeches, or by punctures with

a lancet this is a new fpecies of topical bleeding, and
deferves our ferious attention. I fhould conflder it
a very dangerous experiment to punCture with a
lancet a part already in a high ffate of inflammation;
and at the fame time I cannot conjedture what would
be the advantage : if we conflder it as a method of
evacuating the veffels of the part, it would not anfwer
our expectations. If a fcarificator with fixteen lancets
was made ufe of, the quantity of blood difcharged
would be very infignificant, if cupping glaffes were not
afterwards applied ; and I fliould think that the danger

HuntV Hiftoricai Surgery . 265

of inereafing the inflammation would far exceed every
rational profpeT of advantage. In cafes where the
inflammation is confiderahle, it would certainly be
imprudent to do more than neceffary ; and when the
inflammation is very great, a few punctures with a
lancet might occafion a (laughing, and this endanger the
lofs of the limb, and perhaps determine the fate of the
patient. It appears to me a fpecuiative opinion that
has never yet been put in practice; for it he had ever
tried the experiment, he would have favoured the pub¬
lic with a few hiftories of its fuccefs.’ — Has the author,
we would afk, never feen or heard of fcarification of
the internal furface of the eyelids, and of the eye itfelf,
in cafes of ophthalmia, being performed with the belt
effects ?

Sect. 8. f The Hiflorical Evidence of the Effefts of
the Bark in Cafes of Mortification.5 The contradic¬
tory tefiimony of different writers is here brought for¬
ward, in order to fhew that there is no foundation for
the opinion which attributes a fpecific effctf to the
cinchona, as a remedy in mortifications. Mr. Sharp,
who publifhed his Critical Inquiry in the year 1750,
.and vvho wras unqueftionably a man of found judgment
and accurate obfervation, was convinced of the ineffica¬
cy of this medicine in mortifications. 4 I know it will
be looked upon,’ he fays, 4 by many, as a kind of
4 fcepticifm to doubt the efficacy of a remedy fo well
4 attefied by fuch an infinity of cafes, and yet I fhaii
4 frankly own, i have never clearly to my fat is faction
4 met with any evident proofs of its preference to the
4 cordial medicines ufually prefer! bed, though I have
4 a long time made experiment of it with a view to
4 fearch into the truth.’ Nor did Mr, Pott form a
more favourable opinion of it in that fpecies of morti¬
fication which attacks the lower extremities. Not-
withflanding thefo and other equally refpeclable tefli-
rnonies, we have feen the bark continue, even to the
prefent time, to be the favourite remedy in mortifica¬
tion.

266 Hunt’.? Iliftorical Surgery ,

tion, though the foundation of its character* as Mr.
Hunt clearly thews, reds on the mod fallacious and
undable halls. How often have we reafon to exclaim,
in the words of the Father of Phyfic ■ — •judicium dif¬
ficile ; experimentum fallax ! Every reader of judg¬
ment will, we are perfuaded, coincide with the author
in the following fentiments on the fubjedt.

4 I have thus endeavoured/ Mr. Hunt obferves,
c to examine the bafis on which this important
fubjedt was fird edablifhed > and if we review7 the evi¬
dence, we mud certainly acknowledge the fallacy of
this fpecies of reafon ing on medical fubjedls. In the
fird place, Rudiworth, Amyand, Douglas, Shipton,
and many others, have endeavoured to prove that the
bark is a certain remedy in all cafes of mortification.
About twenty years afterwards, Mr. Sharp aflerts, that
thefe hiitorians were all deceived ^ and having met
with frequent indances where mortification dops
fpontaneoufly, he gives it as his opinion, that thefe fuc-
cefsful cafes depended alone on the powers of nature,
and noton the falutary influence of the bark.

4 But thefe obfervations have for fifty years re¬
mained unnoticed : whether this circumdance is to be
attributed to the infignificancy of Mr. Sharp's opinion,
or the inattention of his readers, remains to be de¬
termined.

• 'j. ■ - t >

4 Here the fubjecl reded for near thirty years, and
the bark w^as given with unlimited confidence on all
occafions; when Mr. Pott difcovered that the morti¬
fication of the toes and feet was a dibindl fpecies of
difeafe ; and at the fame time gave it as his decided 1
opinion, that in this indance the bark was not an effi¬
cacious remedy.

4 Now as the majority of cafes that are recorded in
proof of the powers of the bark in mortifications are
of this kind, if Mr. Pott was right, and the bark had
no influence, it is certain that all the fuccefsful cafes

mud

267

HuntY Hiftorwal Surgery .

rrmft have flopped fpontaneoufly, agreeably to Mr.
Sharp’s opinion.

‘ In addition to Mr. Pott’s evidence of the inefficacy
of the bark, Mr. Power has given a cafe of mortifica¬
tion of the toes and feet, in which he afferts that all the
remedies commonly made ufe of were tried in vain ;
but we are informed that be ultimately fucceeded by
the application of fermenting cataplafms.

‘ In one inllance the efficacy of the bark is objefted
to, for the purpofe of proving that opium is a fpecific
in this difeaie j and in the fecond inllance every other
remedy is difcredited that former practice had prefum¬
ed to fan£Hon, that a decided preference might be
given to the falutary influence of fermenting cata¬
plafms.

‘ Without attempting to examine the particular
merits of all thefe different fiatements and unqualified
affertions, I ihall humbly folicit the candid reader’s at¬
tention to the only rational inference that this diverfity
of opinion will admit of. If the bark is not an effica¬
cious remedy, we mud then acknowledge that all
thofe fuccefsful cafes where this medicine was de¬
pended upon mud have terminated fpontaneoufly £
and if opium is the only remedy, then all thofe fuccefs-
fui cafes where opium was not given mud have
flopped fpontaneoufly ; and confequently, if opium
was not given in the cafe related by Mr. Power, that
mud aifo have terminated fpontaneoufly ; but as in
this cafe all the remedies commonly employed were
tried in vain, all former cafes mud have terminated
fpontaneoufly, and this have been cured by the ap¬
plication of fermenting cataplafms.

4 One circumftance particularly merits our attention:
when the experiment had been once tried, and fer¬
menting cataplafms had been ufed with fuppofed
advantage, we are informed that the difeafe again
returned. On this occafion it would certainly be
reafonable to fuppofe, that as this new remedy had
in the firfl indance proved efficacious,, it would have

been

268 Hunt'.? Hijlorical Surgery,

been immediately had recourfe to on a return of the
difeafe. But from whatever motive they were again
made ufe of, we meet with this fatisfaffory informa¬
tion in the fequel, that this mortification alfo, after
other means had been firft tried, was flopped by the
fermenting cataplafms.

‘ If this new application proved ufeful in the firft
inflance, why fhould any other means be firft tried in
the lecond ? and why (hould not the moft efficacious
remedy have the preference? But the reafon is too
obvious to require further explanation ; for the truth
is, that every one of thefe writers, without exception,
have each endeavoured to fupport his favourite hypo-
thefis. And if we critically examine any of thefe
cafes, and compare the whole together, we ihali find
that the queftion ftill remains undetermined, — whether
the boafted cures depended on the influence of the
■refpeftive remedies, or whether they were all fpon-
taneous terminations of difeafe.

* If this fpontaneous termination of difeafe was
limited alone to cafes of mortification, it would then
appear lefs fmgular that any circumftance of fuch
importance fhould have palled unnoticed. I am
ready to acknowledge, that in many inftances it is a
very difficult queftion to determine, how far the
falutary procefs was the confequence of medicinal
agency, or whether it depended alone on the powers
of the conftitution ; but in forne cafes the powers of
medicine are very obvious, although in others they
are equally obfcure.

4 The bark is certainly a powerful medicine, and
its influence becomes immediately confpicuous on
many occafions ; but what appears moft Angular in
the prefent inflance, is the uncertainty of the evidence
on which the reputation of this medicine was firft
eftabliffied in cafes of mortification.

c The arguments of Mr. Shipton are in general the
offspring of conjecture, and he am ufe s himfelf and

his

£69

Hunt's Hijlorical Surgery .

his readers with fpeculative opinions refpefting th#
comparative powers of the different preparations of
the bark, and afferts that half the quantity of the
refin or exrradl would anfwer the purpofe in cafes of
mortification, becaufe it is luppofed that thefe re-
fpeflive dofes are equally efficacious in intermittent
fever ; and immediately afterwards he endeavours to
prove that thefe two difeafes have not the leaft refem-
blance to each other. But what is ffill more unin¬
telligible, this ingenious writer has before informed
us that the bark is not a proper remedy in intermit¬
tent fevers in which he “ obferves that the ufe of
the bark is generally noxious, and fometimes fatal.”

* I (hall not attempt to reconcile all thefe contra¬
dictions, or take upon myfeif to fet in a clear point
of view' a fubjeff that appears to me inexplicable.
Thefe cafes have been repeatedly copied by others,
becaufe they were fuppofed to contain indifputable
evidence of the faiutary powders of the bark as a
remedy in mortification. I have given my opinion in
plain terms, and the public muff determine. But if
thefe cafe writers were fo unfortunate firff to impofe
upon themfelves, as I think it impoffible that fuch a
fyftem of confufion could have been formed by
defign, it wrould be difficult to conjedlure by what
magic art the delufion was transferred to the public
at large ; and, for my own part, I fbould never ceafe
to wonder, if I had not previoufly examined the dark
hiffory of human nature, and was well convinced
how much the world is gratified by impofftion and
deceit/

Sect . 9. c The chirurgical Treatment of thofe Difeafes
which are the immediate Confequence of external
Injury/ The reader will here find a number of judici¬
ous obfervations on the external treatment of chirur¬
gical difeafes, a fubjeft that is far from being well
underffood, or fixed on any fettled principles. The
voL, x, B b art

270

Huntb* Hijlovical Surgery .

furgery has undergone a great change of late
years in regard to external applications. Simplicity
has taken place of a complicated and cumberfome
apparatus, the intention to be anfwered by which
was hypothetical, and the utility at lead dubious.
Digeftion, mundification, incarnation, and cicatriza¬
tion, which ufed to occupy fo much of the furgeon’s
attention, and of which each had its appropriate
ilages and applications, are now left to the powers of
the conftitution; the only real agent in thefe matters.
She may, indeed, be excited, or repreffed ; but ulti¬
mately the work is her’s.

The author difcuffes the quedion refpefting warm
and cold applications; and, on the whole, decides in
favour of the former, though he admits that no
general rule can be laid down to be at all times
adhered to. He mentions an effect produced by the
external ufe of a faturnine application, which ap¬
pears a little extraordinary. The cafe was a violent
bruife.on the mufcles of the thigh by the kick of a
horfe : the integuments were but little injured. Af¬
ter dimulating applications had been made for feveral
days with feeming inefficacy, an embrocation of
equal parts of Goulard’s extract and oil was plentifully
rubbed on the part, three or four times daily. c This
in a few days,’ the author fays, c produced a numb-
nefs in the parts nearly approaching to palfy, and the
pain confequently ceafedd- — Such an effe£i, we may
obferve, is at lead: unufuah Lead is not remarkable
for producing palfy exclufively in the part to which it
is immediately applied, but affefts, like moft other
poifons, certain parts principally or only. Nor is the
lofs of mufcular power in thefe cafes ufually ac¬
companied with numbnefs, or lofs of fenfibility, as
happens in paralyfis fucceeding apoplexy.

Sect. 70. c The Medicinal Treatment of thofe Dif-
eafes which are the immediate Confequence of ex-

v ... tern a 1

271

Hunt's* Hijiorical Surgery.

ternal Injury, illuflrated by the Phenomena ofanatogous
Difeafe.’ The firft fubjeCt of the author’s animadver-
lion here is blood-letting, which, as before obferved,
he by no means conflders a proper general remedy in
chirurgical difeafes, as thefe, he thinks, are not of a
truly phlogiftic nature, fince they do not occafion
fizinefs of the blood, at lead: as far as his obfervation
goes : but we have already remarked on this opinion,
which appears to be inconfiftent with general experi¬
ence and obfervation.

The author's eftimate of the utility of opium is
formed on the fame theory, and therefore not free from
fufpicion. ' s If this/ he fays, c was a truly phlogiftic
difeafe, and productive of ftzy blood, I fhould think
opium an improper medicine, as much fo as it would
be in phrenitis, peripneumonia, enteritis, eryfipelas,
or acute rheumatifm. But as I am. of opinion that
this difeafe is not productive of ftzy blood, and con-
fequently is not a phlogiftic difeafe, opium may be
given with the greateft fafety and advanfege. It
will abate irritation, diminifti pain, prove aft anti¬
dote for this fpecies of fever, and procure repofe ;
and in addition to all thefe inftances of falutary
influence, it will aCt as a cordial to fupport the
vital powers, and confequently ferve as a power¬
ful remedy againft the danger of approaching mor¬
tification. The fame principles that forbid the ufe
of the lancet will eftablifti the falutary influence
of opium, and vice verfa.

It muft appear evident, from the preceding ob-
fervations, that the difeafe which takes place in
the fyftem in confequence of external injuries to
the extremities, is a particular fpecies of fever, and
not a truly inflammatory difeafe.'

With refpeCf to the ufe of the bark in chirurgi¬
cal difeafes, the author objeCls to its exhibition till
the fever following the accident has fubfided, or at
leaft confiderably declined : if given too early, it

B b 2 will

272 HuntV Hiftorical Surgery .

Y 4*

will be produ&ive, be fays, of bad efFefts. Ther£
is, however, an inconfiftency here ; for if the bark,
as the author admits, gives energy, and increafes
the action of the fyftem ; and if the fever which
follows external accidents is not of an inflammatory
kind; there fhould be no objection to the employ”
ment of this remedy in the early as well as the
latter ftages of the difeafe. His practice, how¬
ever, is probably right, though it does not well
accord with his theory : but this is of little moment.

In fpeaking of the digitalis, the author goes out of
his proper path to remark on the general properties
of this herculean but uncertain remedy. He men¬
tions fome lingular effects produced by it ; viz. faliva-
tion and petechiae. Each of thefe occurred in one-
patient only ; but they difappeared and again re¬
curred fo repeatedly, on laying afide and refuming
the medicine, that there feems to be no doubt of the
fa6t, A few ftriking inftances are adduced of the
fuccefsful employment of digitalis in phthifis ; but in
many more of the author’s trials it failed. His ideas
of the powers of this remedy are fome what peculiar.
Though the digitalis, he obferves, will in many
inftances fink the pulfe, both in velocity and power,
it is not an antiphlogiftic remedy; that is, will not
deftroy inflammation. It will, however, fufpend it,
and that for a confiderable length of time ; but on
omitting the remedy, the inflammatory fymptoms
again appear. It becomes neceflary, therefore, he
fays, to employ means at the fame time, or previ-
oufly, to overcome the phlogiftic diathefts. In phthifis
pulmonalis, the phlogiftic diathefts muft be nearly
conquered before the digitalis can be made ufe of
with adyantage ; and it is for this reafon that this
medicine has been found moft efficacious when given
in the advanced ftage of the difeafe. The following
cafe appears to merit attention.

i One

273

Hunt ft Hifiorical Surgery ,

* One of the moil fatisfa&ory experiments of the
treatment of phthilis pulmonalis, that ever I have met
with, was terminated in this manner. It was not a
cafe fimilar to the fecond which I have noticed on
this fubje£l, where at a hopelefs period of the dift
eafe a fmgle medicine was given for a week or a fort¬
night, and the patient recovered without any other
affiilance ; but it furnifties us with an inftructive ex¬
ample of a long continued conteft between the falu-
tary powers of medicine and the deftru&ive influence
of difeafe.

4 I have already repeatedly obferved, that the firfl:
obje6t in phthilis pulmonalis is to deftroy the phlo-
giftic diathefls ; but the fymptoms of general debility
were fuch in the prefent inftance as to prevent me
from trying the bleeding fyftem at an early period of
the difeafe. For the firfl fortnight I depended upon
cooling purges, faline medicines with emetic tartar*
and blitters,’

‘ The difeafe lafled for more than feven months,
the plans of treatment commencing the beginning of
November 1798, and continuing till June following.
A regular fyftem of antiphlogiftic treatment was em¬
ployed through the whole of this long interval, during
which occafionally cooling purges were given two or
three times a week. Biiflers were frequently re¬
peated, and, after the difeafe had aflumed an uni¬
formity of appearance, one was applied to the lower
part of the fternum, and kept open for fome months;
but here it may be proper to obferve, that, whenever
the digitalis was given in full power, the difcharge
from the blifter w as confiderably diminiflied.

f My patient was a very fteady, temperate, well-
informed young man, about thirty years of age ; and,
having favoured me with the moft liberal confidence,
be was rationally attentive, careful, and perfevering.
Fie was firfl bled on the eighteenth of November,
again on the twenty-fourth, and again an the twenty-

Eb 3 " fifth.

£74

Huntl? Hijlorical Surgery*

fifth, by which the inflammatory fymptoms wxre com
fiderably abated : he continued in the ufe of faline
medicines, with occafional purges, through the whole
of December; but in the beginning of January, his
inflammatory fymptoms having increafed, the ufe of
the lancet became again neceifary ; and he was bled
on the fourth, feventh, ninth, thirteenth, twenty-
third, twenty-feventh, and twenty-ninth of January,
and again on the firft and fourth of February.

4 On the ninth of February he began with taking
five grains of the digitalis every night; and continued
the ufe of this powerful medicine throughout the
whole of February, March, and April ; fometimes
omitting it for a week, and at other times diminifhing
the dofe, as circumflances might require.

4 In April the inflammatory fymptoms again in¬
creafed upon us, and he was bled on the fecond,
ninth, fourteenth, and, for the laft time, on the
twenty-third : the digitalis was continued at times till
the beginning of May, and through the whole of that
month he took a cooling purge once or twice a week;
the laft that he took was on the fixth of June: the
blifter was kept open for fome weeks afterwards, and
he has continued perfectly well ever fince that period.
In addition to this defcription it may be proper to ob-
ferve, that though his cough was frequently diftreiT-
ing, and his nights reftlefs, I never gave him a Angle
drop of laudanum, as I ccnfider inflammation and
opium incompatible with each other/

The author ftrongly recommends the digitalis like-
wife in eryfipelas, and in acute rheumatifin, firft com¬
bating the inflammatory fymptoms by blood-letting,
purgatives, and faline medicines. He has repeatedly
ohferved it to check the difcharge both of blitters and
iftues.

The eleventh and la ft faction treats 4 Of the operative
Part of Surgery, confidered as a Remedy for Difeafe-. *

The

2?5

HuntV Hiftorical Surgery .

The principal points inculcated in this place are* the
impropriety of amputation as a remedy for mortifica¬
tion j and, on the other hand, the immediate necef-
fity of it in cafes of great local injury. In thefc
opinions, the author is fupported by the concurrent
aflent of the bed writers in furgery, antient and
modern. A due tribute of applaufe is paid to our
countryman Wifeman , whofe works form a practical
guide of the mod eminent utility. The opinions of
this writer are contraded with thofe of Mr. John
Hunter, in his late Treatife on Gunfhot Wounds :
but the latter, we muff obferve, are by no means
fairly or candidly dated. Wifeman, in cafes of gun¬
fhot wounds, recommends the immediate dilatation
of the wound, for the purpofe of extrafling bullets,,
or other foreign bodies. Mr. Hunter, on the con¬
trary, difapproves of early extraction ; obferving, that
££ Opening on account of extraneous bodies at firft
cannot be of fo much fervice as opening fome time
after. ” But he does not, as the author makes
him fay, tc think it better to undertake operations of
this kind when the parts are in a date of indam-
mation, than to finidi the bufinefs of extraction before
any difeafed aft ion does take place.” Mr. Hunter
was unwilling to add unnecedary violence to parts
already fo much injured ; and he looked forward to
the period of fuppuration, when indammation had
fubfided, for the fafe and ready removal of all ex¬
traneous matters. With regard to the quedion of
early or late operation, in cafes where it is fooner
or later likely to become necedary, it mud be allowed
to be a mod important one. Surgeons who have had
mod experience in thefe matters, and who from having
paded their lives in deets and armies, and in the
midd, as it were, of battle, have generally decided
in favour of immediate amputation in cafes of ex-
tendve injury : and great attention is doubtlefs due
to the obfervations of fuch men. It may be a quedion

B b 4 ^ifdeujt

$76 Hunt's Hijiorical Surgery.

difficult to decide; but it is lamentable that doubt
fhould Hill exit! on fo great and momentous a point.

An opinion has for fome time pretty generally pre¬
vailed amongft hofpital furgeons, that patients in
ftrong health do not fo frequently recover after capi¬
tal operations as thofe who are fiink by previous
difeafe. This opinion does appear, to be fure, a priori ,
a little extraordinary ; and we do not wonder to find
the author endeavouring to combat it on rational
grounds. Without attempting to decide, we (hall
give his remarks on the fubjed ; obferving only, that
it is intimately conneded with the preceding queftion,
and merits the molt earneft attention of burgeons.

c This opinion,’ the author oblerves, € appears to me fo
truly paradoxical, that notwithftanding the high autho¬
rity with which it is fandioned, I cannot think that it is
well founded ; and if the fad is, as here Hated, in the Lon¬
don hofpitals, it does not equally apply to patients
in other iituations. But there fee ms to be confiderable
inaccuracy in the arguments which are made ufe of
on this fubjed, and I (hall beg leave to fufpend my
affect to this opinion till l meet with more fatisfadory
evidence. Mr. J. Hunter afferts, that “ few people
in full health are in a fit Hate to bear amputation;*’*
but this opinion appears to me to want rational pro-
tedion. For my own part, I cannot fee any reafon
why a perfon in full health and vigour fliould not
f up port the lofs of a limb better than after being re¬
duced by a long and lingering difeafe. The in¬
flammation fubfequent to amputation is not likely
to produce dangerous fymptoms, except it terminates
in mortification; and I believe that is a circumfiance
which will very rarely happen, if the operation is per¬
formed fufficiently early; but if inflammation has
taken place in confequence of the injury, the Hate of
the queftion is then altered, and the operation is cer¬
tainly improper.

*-'J. Hunter on Guafhot Wounds, page S6t>.'

4 But

Hunt’f Hfjiorkal Surgery. 277

c But Mr. I. Hunter alfo urges the lofs of blood
asan objection, which appears to me to be an argu¬
ment againft his own opinion ; for if flrong health
is confidered a reafonable objection in one inftance,
the lofs of blood #, which would reduce the hate of
the conftitution to a lower flandard, mull certainly be
advantageous; and this argument mull be confidered
the perfection of medical obfcurity, to urge a ftate of
full health and vigour, and an extra idled date of the con-
ilitution in confequence of a lofs of blood, as fimilar
objections againft the propriety of amputation. But
fuch are the arguments that are brought forwards for
the exquilite gratification of propagating thefe fublime
productions, and the eftablifhment of doCtrines that
are only calculated to add darknefs to the unintelligb
ble inyfteries of the profeilion.

6 I well remember an instance that occurred, whilft
I was attending the hofpitals, of a mao in perfeCl
health being admitted for an aneurifm in the popli¬
teal artery. On examination of the parts, it was the
united opinion of all the burgeons prefent that the
operation for the aneurifm would not fucceed, and the
limb was immediately amputated about the middle
of the thigh. I repeatedly faw the patient drefled for
the fir Pc fortnight, during which time all went on well ;
and the iaft time I faw him the difcharge was mode¬
rate, and the appearances perfectly healthy. From
this time I ceafed to attend the dreffings of this
patient, thinking his recovery certain, and that no
occurrence could afterwards take place worthy my
attention: but in.lefs than another fortnight after, I
heard that he was dead. This termination could not
depend on the excels of the firfi: inflammation, or his

high health previous to the operation : perhaps it

■» \

* i In the firfl cafe, it is only inflammation : in the fecond, it is in¬
flammation, lofs of fubffance, and mod probably lofs of more blood, as
it is to be fuppofeci that a good deal has been loft from the accident, not
to mention the aukward manner in which it muff be done,— J, Hunter
an Guufhot Wounds, page :t$2.

may,

278 Trot ter V Medicinu Nautica. VoL II L

may, at this diftance of time, be prefumptuous in me
to affign a caufe ; but, if there is any additional dan¬
ger attending early amputation, I 111 a 1 1 contend that
it is limited to the hofpitals, and does not extend to

general pra£tice.

5 When a patient has long been confined to an hof-
pital, he becomes accuftomed to its regimen ; the
mind alfo becomes reconciled to the fituation, and
the confiitution to the air and manner ot living; and
to the indigent, who have flittered under long and
painful difeafe, it will frequently prove a change from
mifery and want to what to them will appear a fituation
of eafe, luxury, and unexpected happinefs. The fame
fituation that may be confidered a palace by one man,
may be looked upon as a loathfome prifon by another.
But to thofe who enter an hofpital in confequence of
fome accident, or for caufes above ftated in other re-
fpedts in full health and vigour, the change may have
a contrary effedt both on the mind and confiitution,
and the powers both of body and mind may fink under
the united influence of the operation and fituatmn,
that wrnuld furvive the operation under different cir-
cumfiances. I have been induced to make thefe ob-
fervations for the purpofe of accounting for an opinion
which I ftil! fufpeJt is founded in error ; but if it does
happen that people in full health and vigour do more
frequentlyfink under the operation of amputation in the
hofpitals, I with to fhew that it may depend on local
circumfiances, and that the want of fuccefs is not to
be attributed to the fiate of the confiitution. ’

Art. XXXIV. Medicina Nautica: An EJay on
the Difeafes of Seamen ; comprehending the Hif-
tory of Health in the Channel for the Years 1799*
1800, and 1 80 1 . Vol III. By Thomas Trotter,
M.D. , Phyfician to the Fleet , Sc. 8vo., 507 pages,
price 9s. London, 1803. Longman and Rees.

THE

(

Trotter.V Medicina Nautiea. Vol. III. 279

HE prefent volume may be confidered as the ter*

ruination of the author’s labours on naval medi¬

cine ; a fubjefl, doubtlefs, of high importance in va¬
rious points of view, and which he has in many re-
fpedls, (economical as well as medical, contributed
to the improvement of. The health of feamen has of
late excited a degree of attention which, indeed, it
always claimed, but which it did not heretofore re¬
ceive. It has been difcovered, that, in this fervice
efpecially, prevention, while it. is more eafy, is at the
fame time far more important, than the cure of dif-
eafe. The longeft fea voyages, notwith {landing the
numerous fatigues and dangers incident to them, are
now performed with fecurity, or with little riik to
health, by the aid of precautions no lefs fimple and
praflicable than they are efficacious ; and that in every
variety of climate, both of the torrid and frigid zone,
Thefe-are great and national advantages, and feme
fhare of the merit may be juftly claimed by the author
of the EfTay before us. In bellowing this merited
commendation, however, we are not to be fuppofed
as coinciding with every lentiment of the author.
We have had occalion, in our account of the preced¬
ing volumes, to remark a llrong tendency to fpecula-
tion in point of theory, and to innovation in praflfce*
which, in our opinion, confiderably leken the value
of the writer’s obfervations. Nor is the prefent volume
altogether free from the charge. Due allowance,
however, being made for thefe, the work will be read
with interek and utility both by naval furgeons and
by naval officers; for on the aid and co-operation of
thefe much mull depend, to enable the former to di re¬
charge the duties of their 11 a tion with full effidft, for
the benefit of thofe placed under their care,

In the introduction, the author complains loudly,
that his fuggeftio'ns for (he public good were, in many
inkances, difregarded by thofe who have the fuper-
intendance of this branch of fervice, efpecially the’
Qommijiunerhof the Sick and Hurt Board, who are
T 1 the

£80 TrotterV Medicina Nautica. YoL III.

the particular objefts of his fplenetic attack : but we
fufpedt that perfonal feelings here have had fome (hare
In guiding his pen. His propofa! for ameliorating the
Situation of medical officers in the navy, addreffed to
, the Lords of the Admiralty, will receive the good!
wiffies of every humane man ; and we regret to learn
that fo little fuceefs has hitherto attended it, Suchi
treatment of fo deferving a body of men is as impolitic
as it is ungenerous ; and muft, fooner or later, be pro¬
ductive of injury to the fervice itfelf.

The next feCtion of the work is entitled, ‘ Occur¬
rences relating to Health in the Fleet/ It con hits;
chiefly of communications and returns from the dif¬
ferent furgeons of the fleet, refpeCting the ftate oft
health on board the different (hips. The utility oft
both the recent juice of lemons, and alfo of the con¬
crete acid, as prepared by Cox well, continues to be3
manifeft ; but it appears, at the fame time, that their:
ufe, when long perfevered in, in conflderable quan¬
tity, is by no means favourable to general health, butt
produces emaciation and reduction of bodily ftrength,
with weaknefs of the digeftive powers.

Contagion and Typhus are the fubjeCfs of the fuc-
ceeding feCiion. Great pains are taken, as before, r
to difcredit the mineral acid fumigations ; and we are;
ibrry to obferve perfonal inveftive taking the place oft
argument. Whether the mineral acids in the form oft
vapour are powerful in the deflrudlion of contagion,,
is a mere queftion of fadt, to be afcertained by expe¬
rience alone; and this appears, in our opinion, to be:
ftrongly in their favour. It is not neceffary, as the au¬
thor hints, that their particular mode of adding on the
poifon fhould be known, in order to eflablifli their
credit.

The author entertains an idea, that typhus infec¬
tion very feldom affedfs' a perfon more than once ini
his life time. ‘ There muft, indeed/ he fays, c be fome

' truth!

TrotterV MMicina Ndutica. Vol. III. 281

truth in the obfervation ; for, after perfeX recovery,
the body feems no longer fufceptible of the difeafe,
and breathes a tainted air with impunity, as daily
happens in infected (hips. When contagion is intro-*
duced into a fhip a fecond time, after fome interval,
it attacks a new Jet of men : the former lever patients
are exempted. In fituations where there was much
danger of being infeXed, though not much feared at
the dread of fever, I have felt confidence from having
had the difeafe when I was eleven years of age ; and
never had recourfe to the charm of prophylaxies/—
All this appears to be true in a certain degree, but
not, we imagine, to the extent the author carries it.

One of the author’s correfpohdents, Mr. W. Brown*
fpeaks of opium as the fheet-anchor in the treatment
of typhus, the cure being entirely truffed to this re¬
medy and wine. On this fubjeX Mr. B. obferves as
follows. i I have one remark to make on the ufe of
tinX. opii in delirium, which, in many of the cafes I
had to deal with, was of that furious., violent kind
which has often been fuppofed to depend on inflam¬
mation of the brain, erroneoufly ; for, as it yielded
with the other fymptoms to the general * remedies,
there is no foundation for fuppofing it to depend on a
different caufe.

5 The remark is, that if tinX. opii is given in mo¬
derate dofes often repeated, it feems to have no effeX
on this fymptom ; but if given largely, and at once, it
fpeedily removes it. This was firft fuggefted to me by
accident. A patient of a debilitated habit, from a
recent flux, on whom the contagion made an early
and deep irnpreffion, had for three days been fo out¬
rageous that it was difficult to keep him in his ham¬
mock, was at laft reduced to a ftate of fuch extre¬
mity, that, to prevent the fatal event that feemed fall
approaching, I adminiftered a dofe of gtt. Ixxx tinX.
opii in a glafs of rum ; three hours after which 1 was
ailonifhed to hear him talk fenfibly. After another
hour, he had gtt. xxxv tinX. opii $ foon after which a

found

(

1282 TrotterV Medlcina Natitica. Vol. III.

found deep came on, which lafted till morning, when

I was much pleafed to find that his only complaint
was great debility. Fever never returned. Expe¬
rience in three other cafes on board (in one of which
it was abfolutely neceffary to give a hundred and fifty
drops of tinth opii at one dofe to preferve life) has
fince tended to prove the truth of this remark.

c It was only in defperate cafes, however, where
there is every reafon to expedl death, that I had the
temerity to ufe fo large a dofe of this invaluable me¬
dicine, the virtues of which in low fever cannot be
Sufficiently celebrated ; for, in general, it was not ne¬
ceffary to exceed one hundred and fifty drops, in di¬
vided dofes, in the twenty-four hours, fupporting the
patient at the fame time by a liberal allowance of
wine (a bottle per day in bad cafes), and fuch articles
of diet as could be relifhed : where wine was diffked,
good hot rum-punch in equivalent quantity wras Sub-

II ituted with equal benefit.

c This practice was fo very Succefsful, that 1 have
the Satisfaction to fay, that it never failed in any in-
ftance where it had a fair trial ; for, in each of the two
cafes which (out of fixty) terminated fatally on board,
an unlucky accident confpired with the violence of the
difeafe itfelf to defeat my anxious endeavours towards
a cure : in the firft, a. quantity of rain-water getting
paffage in the night through the feams of the quarter¬
deck (under which the fick berth was), completely
drenched the patient (one of thofe who had been bled
on the firft of the month), unperceived by the attend¬
ants 5 and from greater fuffering, unfelt by himfelf,
the confequence of which was fo fudden an increafe
of debility, that hiccup and conftant vomiting came
on immediately, and death foon followed. In the
other cafe, the difeafe had been reduced to a (late of
convalescence fo early as the third day ; on the even¬
ing of which, the patient, elated, no doubt, with the
profpe£t of returning health, had the imprudence to
participate fo freely in the regale, of grog, which Tailors

: . * at

TrotterV Medicina Nantica. Vol. III. 28.3

at that period (Chriftmas) indulge in with impu¬
nity, that death, from exha ufted excitability, was the
confequence in a few hours.

‘ Upon the whole, it is my opinion that the furgeon
(prophylactic meafures, fuch as have been already
mentioned, being properly attended to by the officers)
who in this difeafe adopts the bold plan of cure, which
is founded on the (table foundation of the Brunonian
inductions, will be able to effect more than has ever
yet been imagined by thofe, who, applying their
knowledge of thofe laws by which the aCtion of inani¬
mate matters on each other are regulated to the living
fyftem, have placed the prevention of the difeafe, as
weli as the indication of cure, in the decompofition
of an unknown fomething, which they have fuppofed
to be the principle of contagion.’— With refpeCt to
the praCtice above recommended, we would remark,
that it has been more than once inculcated by the fup-
porters of what is termed the Brunonian fy ft em ; but
as it appears evidently to have been fir ft fuggefted by
hypothefis, and has not been adopted by the moft'ob-
fervant and guarded practitioners, it ought to be
adopted with confiderablexaution.

■ ■' i* **"

<9 * \ v

The fubjeCts of Ventilation , Variola , and Vacciola ,
which occupy the fucceeding paragraphs, offer no¬
thing that is new or important. Catarrh and Ophthal¬
mia likewife afford nothing particularly meriting no¬
tice. The application molt ftrongly recommended in
the latter difeafe is cold water.

Phthifis appears to have bepn of late unufually pre¬
valent in the fleet. The caufes of this greater fre¬
quency, here affigned, are much expofure to weather,
with extremely hard labour. Some effect likewife is
attributed to the continued, life of lemon-juice, an
ounce of which, with an equal quantity cf lugar, di¬
luted with water, was daily ferved as a preventive for
fcurvy. This, the author fays, occafiotled emaciation
and debility : ‘ the mefenteric glands muff foon have

felt

284 Trotter V Medlcina Nan tic a. Volf III.

* j y - . ' > . - ff'P 'ff

felt its effefts, and become torpid from dbfit action of
jUmulus’ A good deal of fpeculation occurs on the
nature of phthifis, and its appropriate remedies. The
author is one of thofe who fee nothing but debility in
the fymptoms, and confequently argues forcibly, we
had alraoft fa id virulently, againft blood-letting and
the antiphlogiftic regimen in all dages of the difoafe.
Judging from the event only, in a general way, all
this feems rational enough ; but it does not appear
that the oppofite mode of pradiice is a whit more fuc-
cefeful.

■

The author fees a itrong refemblance between the
mode of action of the fox-glove and that of th e f quill >
which lad, he fays, produces naufea and vomiting,
abates the frequency of the pulfe, and powerfully ex¬
cites the abforbent fvdem. Hence he thinks it has a

ftronff claim to our regard in the treatment of con-
fumption, and like wife ot fcrophula. Unfortunately,
he has nothing to offer in its favour a poJlerion\ and
we much quedion the fuppofed analogy of its opera¬
tion.

A long feCfioo is devoted to Spafmodic and Nervous
Affections . Who would have fuipected ihat hyderia
was often to be found among the crew of a Britifli
man of war ? ‘ I have feen in a lick berth, at one

time/ the author fays, ‘ no lefs than live or fix ftrong-
]y marked indances of violent 'hyderiad The follow¬
ing train of fymptoms never exided, we believe, but
in the author’s imagination. c The hi dory of the dif¬
eafe itfelf comprehends the fymptoms, and often af-
fumes the form, of almod every other. Pains, ditches,
or cramps, of the mufcular parts ; contractions of the
joints, fpafm and paralyhs of the fphinCters, from
whence obftinate fuppredions of urine, and retention
of the faeces ; didortion of the countenance and eyes;
twinkling of the eyelids ; inability to clofe the eyelids ;
at other times, when fhut,. unable to open them ; pu¬
pil of the eye dilated and infenlible, fometimes con-
tr acted, and the iris extremely irritable ; profudon of

tears ;

Trotter’.? Medicina Nauticd. Vol. III. 285

tears ; dimnefs of fight ; double virion ; hearing acute,
or the contrary ; the external ear cold to the touch ;
bombi or tinnitus anrittm ; fmell deficient; hemicra -
nia ; vertigo; coldnefs of the occiput; general chilli-
linefs, alternated with flufhing ; coldnefs of the feet;
cold fweat on the palms of the hands; fhivering;
fenfe of creeping on the Ikin ; red fpots, or eruptions
of the fkin, lternating with dyfpeptic feelings ; bad
tafte in the mouth; exceffive thirft; foul tongue ; dif¬
ficult deglutition; hydrophobia ; naufea ; eructations
from the ftomach ; pain and detention of the ftomach ;
heartburn; borborrygmi ; gripes; fudden dejeftions ;
diarrhoea, but more frequently coftivenefs ; globus
kyfiericus ; a fenfe of vacuum about the region of the
ftomach, as if difembowelled ; pains about the liver,
afcending to the fhoulder, as in hepatitis; jaundice;
pains about the region of the kidneys, and defcending
to the ureters and neck of the bladder and glans pe¬
nis; ftrangury; urine crude, pale, or high coloured;
at one time voided in great quantity, at another time
icarce ; appetite irregular, at one while voracious, and
at another deficient ; defire for uncommon kinds of
food ; ficknefs at the fight of particular objefts and
perfons ; worms ; fighing; moaning; fudden laughter
and crying; permanent hiccup ; cough ; fometimes re-
fembling pertuffis ; fneezing ; panting ; breathing fhort
and laborious ; dyfpnoea from particular effluvia ; fpit-
ting ; pervigilium fometimes for weeks together ; fieep
dilturbed by fearful dreams ; incubus ; palpitation of
the heart ; uncommon fenfibility to arterial pulfation,
particularly of the aorta, expreffed by faying that they
have pulfes every where ; pulfe irregular and inter¬
mittent ; tremours; convulfions ; &c.’

Scurvy is the next fubjeft: of remark. We are forry
to find lbme evidence adduced againft the efficacy of
the concrete acid of lemons, which was faid by the
author, on a former occalion, to be equally powerful

vol. x. Cc ' with

286 Trotter*? Medicina Nauiica . Vol. III.

* * ' .

with the juice itfelf. The contravening teflimony,
however, is not confidered by him as conclulive.

.Several communications of a mifcellaneous kind are
given, in the form of letters, from different of the au¬
thor’s correfpondents, one of whom, rather drily, re¬
marks, fpeaking of the flrli vol. of Med . Naut 4 1
am inclined to think that its novelty will greatly pro¬
mote its utility $ for, as a new book, it; will be read
with avidity by many who would turn away with con¬
tempt from the plain fubdantial precepts of Celfus,
Sydenham, and Boerhaave.* — The contrail, indeed,
it mull be allowed, is fufficiently great.

The following obfervations on the utility of opium
in ophthalmia, occurring on board (hip on the coal! of
Egypt, deferve attention. Blood-letting, bliftering,
and the other ordinary remedies, were employed with
little apparent advantage. The difeafe, it may be
added, appeared to fpread by contagion. That the
caufes ordinarily affigned, viz. a nitrous impregnation
of the atmofphere, and floating particles of fand, were
not the real morbific agents, appears from hence, that
the Ihips had no communication with the fhore ; be¬
tides that the wind blows very conllantly from the
fea on the land. s I believe there are few difeafes/
the author remarks, * with which mankind are afflict¬
ed, wherein he fuffers greater torture than during the
paroxyfms of ophthalmia in its bad flate. The periods
of its coming on are about the hours of fun-fet and
rile, and continues with the moll excruciating pains
until midnight : it then begins to abate, but recom¬
mences with the rifing fun, and lafts until mid-day,
and fometimes has no remifflon, continuing in this
llate from three to twenty days, if not obviated by
lome very powerful fedative. From the ufe of opium-
{which plan I did not adopt till of late), I have inva¬
riably obferved the happiell effeCts from being given
in dofes of lixty to one hundred drops (depending on
circumfonces), about half an hour preceding the pa-
toxyfm y but I have often given it after the coming on

Trotter’.? Medicina Nantica. Vol. IIL 287

of the fit with nearly equal fuecefs $ and never, fince
I difcovered its utility, have I omitted it in violent
cafes. It has frequently happened, that after the fe-
cond or third time of taking it (when given in fufiT
cient proportions), that the paroxyfm has not return¬
ed at all, though the attack had apparently been of
the moft violent nature.

c Of one hundred and thirty bad cafes I have had
under my care, one man only loft the fight of one eye,
in confequence of a relapfe, and a very bad habit of
body befide ; and of flight cafes almoft as many
more, all of which are perfectly recovered/

An article is devoted to Sea Sicknefs , re foe fling
which the author adopts the theory of Dr. Darwin, as,
in his opinion, quite fatisfaftory : to us, however, it
appears hypothetical, and involved in infuperable dif¬
ficulties. It is deferring notice, that fea ficknefs,
though extremely fevere, has in no inftance within
the author’s knowledge occafioned abortion in females;
and he has had many opportunities of eftabliflfing the
faff, by having obferved women of the better and
lower orders of life experience the moft painful fuffer-
jngs from fea ficknefs, in all the ftages of pregnancy.
The child, in thefe cafes, was always born at the full
time, aqd in perfect health. On the cure of this dif-
treffing affecfion, the following merits notice.

c Having juft mentioned above the effeff of drink¬
ing heartily in ftaying fea ficknefs, a faff fo common
at fea, that the feamen always recommend Jliff grog,
I beg leave to illuftrate the practice by the following
anecdote. —Some time lately, when travelling between
Exeter and Plymouth with Captain Kelly of the navy,
a lady in the coach grew remarkably pale, uneafy,
and fick. She was moved into the moft commodious
feat, and the Captain, with the ufual frank opennefs
of his profeffion, endeavoured to cheer her up, partly
with his lively faliies, aixfalfoby alluring her that he
pofteffed a certain cure for ficknefs in either a (hip or
coach, which he would procure for her at the next

C c 2 inn

288 • Peart on Confumption of the Lungs .

% •• - ' •

inn In due time we arrived at the inn, where break-
faff: was prepared ; but the poor lady was unable to
eat any thing. The Captain had made up his mind
on his patient’s cafe : he a£ted the part of a difcerning
phyfician as well as the accomplifhed officer, for he
knew what would fuit her conftitution. He called for
a bumper of the belt brandy, inflamed it fo as to warm
it fufficiently, and, calling for a hard bifcuit, he de-
jfired the lady to take them together, which was done,
with an inffant alleviation of fymptoms. The lady
bore the remainder of the journey in perfect good
health and fpirits, being on a vifit to her paramour at
Stonehoufe Barracks; and the Captain, from the
fpeedy effeft of his medicine, continued to repofe
the fame confidence in it which he had done from
long experience of its efficacy in a fea life*.’

The volume concludes with fome communications
on Malignant Ulcer, as it was found to prevail on
fhip-board : but We obferve nothing on the fubject
that is of impoitance, additional to what we have be¬
fore given at various times. The author himfelf does
not admit the contagious nature of the difeafe ; but on
this point he is at variance with feveral. of his corre-
fpondents.

Art. XXX Vr. On Covfumption of the Lungs, in which
a new Mode of Treatment is laid down, and recom¬
mended to public Attention, as having been found
powerfully efficacious , particularly in the fir Jl Stage
of tuberculous Confumption, before purulent Ex¬
pectoration commences. With a few necejfary Direc¬
tions in refpeEt to Regimen . By E. Peart, M.D.,
8vo. Price 2s. 6d. London, 1803. Miller.

‘ * I have known this remedy check vomiting when every thing elfe
had been tried in vain ; even when fingultus attended.

DR.

289

RingV Treatife on the Cow-pox,

DR. P. may be confidered as more fortunate
than the generality of his brethren, in fo often
(tumbling on fpecifics for difeafes fo dangerous or in-
tra£table as confumption, fcarlet fever, hooping-cough,
&c. The remedy here recommended in the former
difeafe, and which is faid to have fucceeded in curing

a cafe of tubercular confumption in a woman, is as
follows :

Re Opii grs. xii.

Rene trituretur cum aquae purse drachmis tri-
bus ; poftquam addentur
Syrup! papaveris albi - - gij.

Sp. ammoniae ------

Sp. aetheris vitriolici - - - - 3'ij.

Of this a tea-fpoonful was direfted to be taken
thrice daily, increafing it to one and a half or two tea-
fpoonfuls, if the pain or cough feemed to require it,
particularly at nights. The bowels were kept regular
by taking occafionally one of the following pills :

* R. Til, aloet. - - 3ij.

Ammon, ppt. - 9j. M. f. pi). xviii.

Art. XXXVI. A Treatife on the Cow-pox ; contain¬
ing the Hiftory of Vaccine Inoculation , and an Ac¬
count of the various Publications zvhich have appear¬
ed on the Subject in Great Britain , and other Parts
of the World. By John Ring, Member of the
Royal College of Surgeons in London . 8vo., 550

pages, price 1 3s. London, 1803. Johnson,

HPHE amount of the evidence at prefect accumu-
lared in favour of the vaccine inoculation, con-
fidering the fhortnefs of the period fince its firft intro¬
duction, is aftoniihing, and altogether unprecedent¬
ed in fcience. The moft fceptical ought now to be
convinced, fince it appears that time has ferved only
to do away and reconcile apparent difficulties and

C c 3 contradio

290 Beddoes on the extended Medical Injlitution ,

contradiflions, without detecting any new. fa£bs that
at all impeach the advantages of the praftice.

Of the many labourers in this field, no one is better
entitled to the palm of induftry than the ingenious
author of the Treatife announced above. Whoever
withes for a fummary of the experience and observa¬
tion of the different writers on the fubjeft, accompa¬
nied with a candid and judicious criticifm on the
teftimonies that have been adduced, both for and
againft the practice, may here be amply gratified.
An excellent coloured engraving is prefixed, exhibit¬
ing the progreflive daily changes of the vaccine pock,
from the firft to the eighteenth day of the difeafe.
With fuch a guide, it is Scarcely poilible to miftake,
or not to diftinguifh it readily from the other erup¬
tions, which have been termed, though improperly,
Spurious vaccine puftules.

Art. XXXVII. The Rules of the extended Medical
Injlitution for the Benefit of the Sick and drooping
r Poor : with an Explanation of its peculiar ' Dejign ,
and various neceJJ'ary Inf ructions. By Thomas
Beddoes, M.D . 12mo., 78 pages. Briffol, 1803.

IT fcarcely falls within our province to notice a
work of the prefent description, though its im¬
portance yvelj entitles it to general attention. It con¬
tains a forcible appeal to the different claffes of Soci¬
ety on the fubjetf of prevention , a branch of the me¬
dical art that has hitherto been but very little culti¬
vated. The objeft of the author is the eftablifhment
of a Medical Injlitution , where all, without refiriftion,
will receive advice who think they need it ; that beip
may be afforded in the very germ of difeafes, before
they take root in the conftitution, and defy the power
of art for their removal : in the language of the au¬
thor, “ to preferve thofe that fuppofe themfelves only
a trifle cut of forts, but are really falling into fome

deadly

Timbrell on the Management of Ruptures. 291

deadly diforder, — to fill the feeble with ftrength to go
through the bufinefs of their ftation, — to give thofe
whofe weakly childhood marks them out as likely to
be cut off in youth, a fair chance for a long and
healthy life, — in fine, not only to ftop fhort the courfe
of fome maladies, but to render the conftitution lefs
acceffible to them ; and to ftir up in fathers and mo¬
thers an univerfal fpirit of watchfulnefs over the con-
dition of their tender offspring.”

The author is exceedingly fanguine in his expecta¬
tion of the benefits derivable from an inftitution of the
kind mentioned. Befides other difeafes to which the
poor are efpecially liable, fcrophula, he thinks, might
in moft cafes be cured, and confumption, its frequent
attendant, in many inftaaces prevented. — May his en¬
deavours in fo good a caufe be Tuecefsful !

Art. XXXVIII. Practical Obfervations on the Ma¬
nagement of Ruptures : Part 1, New Inventions and
Directions for ruptured Perfons . Part 2, A fami¬
liar Account of the Nature of Ruptures in both
Sexes. By William Hall Timbrell, Efq .
To which are prefixed two recommendatory Letters
by William Blair, A.M. , SCc. Third edition,
with additions : illuftrated by three engravings.
12mo., 94 pages, price 3s. London, 1803. Hurst,

WE fhould not have thought it necdfary to no¬
tice this new edition of a work we fo lately
commented on*, did it not contain additional teffi-
mony of the utility of the method there propofed for
relieving a very frequent and formidable difeafe. The
zeal the author difplays in laying his improvement be¬
fore the public, removed as he is from all fufpicion of
unworthy motives, is highly honourable to his feel¬
ings, as we trufl it will prove ufeful to a numerous iift

* See page 449 of our 8th volume.

C c 4 of

292

Trye on Injuries of the loxver Limbs .

of fuffering individuals. To the notice of thefe, there-
fore* we have no helitation in recommending it. We
may briefly repeat, that the principal alterations here
propofed are, 1. The hoop or fpring part of the trufs
paiTing horizontally around the pelvis in an exa£t cir¬
cular line with the pad ; and, 2. The' application of
a calico cushion under the pad, which allows of the
trufs being girt round the body* with confiderabie
tightnefs, without injury to the foe ml at ic veffels.

Art. XXXIX. I lliift rations of fame of the Tnju -
rids to which the lower Limbs are expofed . By
Charles Brandon Trye, Surgeon to the Glou¬
cester Infirmary > 4io., 37 pages, with plates/price

HE chief part of this little treatife relates to diflo-

cations, efpecially of the femur, many valuable
directions for the reduction of which are given. The
appearances obferved on diflefition, both of a diflocat-
ed femur and of a fracture of the neck of this bone,
are, alfo defcribed. The mode oi reduction pradtifed
in the following cafes may probably be fuccefefully
imitated on other occasions ; we therefore tranfcribe
them, for the information of fuch of our readers as

cannot have accefs to the work itfelf.

#• * - • • • -

4 In a Itrong mufcular man, whoie thigh had been
diflocated upwards and outwards, after fruitlefsly try¬
ing other methods, the following procefs fucceeded :
— He was laid prone upon a bed ; a (beet was pafled
between his thighs, and held firmly by two afliltants.
I then knelt upon the pelvis in order to keep it Heady,
and refill its being raifed up when the extenfion
fhould be made. Three men then pulled at a towel
‘fattened round the thigh above the knee, and drew it
in fuch a direction as to carry the thigh upwards ; that
is, in relation to the trunk, backwards. I then relied
my two hands on the head of the bone, and pufhed

Ford\y Three Letters on Medical Subjects .

it downwards and forwards with all my ftrength ; and,
after a fhort exertion of our powers in this manner, I
directed a gentleman who held the leg to twill the
toes fuddenly outwards ; upon which the head rufhed
into the acetabulum with a loud noife.

c I tried the fame and a variety of other methods
a very mufcular middle-aged woman, unfuccefsfully,
within fix hours after her accident. She took half a
drachm of Dover’s powder at bed time, the fucceed-
ing night and the next morning ufed the warm bath,
and was well fweated for two hours before the intend¬
ed time of repeating the taxis. She was laid upon the
bed on the found fide : I then p relied rny left hand
againft the head of the bone, one of my knees again!!
its body, a little higher than the middle, and with the
other hand I drew her knee outwards. The leg was
fupported by an affilfant, the knee bent to the right
ankle. Three perfons made fteady the pelvis, by
holding a iheet pafled between the thighs, and three
others made the extenfion. In this manner our
ftrength was exerted for fome time, and 1 plainly felt
the head of the bone move ; but the reduQion was not
completed. We renewed our attempts in the fame
manner, except that a gentleman, who became one
of the extenders, placed his foot firmly againft the
arch of the pubis (properly defended), and thereby
both increafed his power of extenfion, and at the fame
time rendered the pelvis more fteady and fixed. The
force being continued for fome time, and my hands
and knee being applied in the manner already de-
fcribed, I directed the affiftant who fupported the
bent leg fuddenly to carry the internal ankle towards
the other leg, and to twift the toes outwards ; and
then the head flipped into the acetabulum.’

Art. XL. Three Letters on Medical Subjects: ad »
drejfed to the Reverend Gilbert Ford, Ormjkirk ,
Lancajhire , . By John Ford, ALD,, Chejter .

12mo.4

, 294 FordT Three Letters on Medical Subjects *

1 2-mo., 55 pages, price 2s 6d. London, 1803^
White, &c.

QUACKERY aflTumes fuch a variety of forms,
and modern ingenuity has contrived to cloak it
in fo many difguifes, that it is not unfrequent to find
©urfelves in the very midft of it, and “ wonder how
the devil we got there.” Sometimes an M.D. or an
Jr,M.S.y. or fomething equally fignificant and import¬
ant, ferves as gentleman-ufher to a Specific Drop or
Infallible Pill ; fometiines the name of a diftinguiflied
patron, as of a peer or bifhop, fmooths the way to
the pockets of the credulous; and fometimes again,
as in the inftance before us, high-founding and impof-
ing language, and the affectation of difintereftednefs,
entrap the nervous and hypochondriac, and wheedle
him at once out of his reafon and his gold. If we are
to believe the author, he is not fo folicitous to derive
from his nofirums the emolument c to which his friends
think him entitled,’ as that the medicine s Ihould be
given with every advantage that can be derived from
it, as well in the feleCtion of the ingredients that com*
pofe it, as in the fubfequent procefs of combining
them. In this point,’ he fays, c I fliall be fecure, as
long as it is prepared under my own eye, which has
hitherto been the cafe, whatever may be its future
fate.’

The firft of the Letters contains * An Account of
the EfFeSs of an aloetic Medicine in the Gout and
other chronic Complaints.* This, though an aloetic,
is, as might be expeCted, free from the inconveniences
which attend all other preparations of the fame drug,
and abounds, at the fame time, in virtues to which
Ample aloes have no pretenfions. Not only are gouty
paroxyfms prevented or mitigated by this aloetic me -
dicine , but fo high an opinion do the author’s friends
entertain of it, that * they have occafionally reeourfe
to it, not becaufe they feel they want it, but in order
that they may not want icC

BertholletV EJfay on Chemical Statics. 595

As ufual in tbefe cafes, the author is not content

with giving the fimple fafts in proof of the efficacy of

his aloelic medicine , but attempts to philofophize on

the fubjeft, and to explain its effefts by reference to

the ceconomv of the human frame. But we ffiall not
*

attempt to follow him here.

The fecond Letter announces ‘ A Praftice which
has been fuccefsful in the individual Prevention of the
late Epidemics.’ Of the extent of the author's me¬
dical erudition we may judge from the following ob-
fervations : £ My idea, that contagion was received
firff into the primas vise, was derived from the Medical
Reports, publiffied fix years ago, by Dr. Currie of
Liverpool and c about that time Doctor Gardner’s
Treatife on the Animal (Economy was put into my
hands by Dr. Rutter 3 and his arguments in favour of
ks reception into the primae vice, carried, I thought,
great weight with them.’ Dr. Mitchill’s theory of
Jeptic gas is alfo highly fpoken of. The purport of
the wffiole, however, is, to recommend thofe who are
expofed to infe£lion, £ to take every night one of the
pills fo often mentioned in this Letter thofe who
did fo, he had the fatisfadlion to find, * all efc&ped
the infection ;* and it was adminiftered with equally
good effefls when the difeafe had taken place.

The third Letter contains an Account of the bene¬
ficial Etfe&s fuppofed to be derived from granulated
Tin in Worm-cafes : the author alfo conceives this
medicine to aft as a fedative, and to be, in many
cafes, a fit fubftitute for opium : — — but enough of
this.

Art. XLI EJfai de Statique Chimique : An EJfay
on Chemical Statics . By C. L. Berthollet,
Member of the French National Injiitute , & U\ 8vo.,
2 vols. Paris, 1803.

^IP'HE oojeft of the Effay before us is, to extend the
JL former reflections of the author on the taros of

affinity

296 BerfcholfetV EjJay on Chemical Statics.

affinity to all the caufes which are capable of varying
the refults of chemical a&ion, or, in other words, the
prodo6f of affinity and quantity. The powers, fays
the author, which produce chemical phenomena are
all derived from the mutual attraction of the molecules
of bodies, to which the name of affinity has been
given, to diftinguifh it from agronomical attraction.
It is probable, however, that both the one and the
other are merely one and the fame principle ; but the
latter, agronomical attraction, being only exerted be¬
tween the malles when placed at fuch di fiances that
the figure of the molecules, their intervals, and their
particular affections, have no influence, its effects,
which are always proportional to the mafs, and in the
inverfe ratio of the fquare of the diftances, may be ri~
gouroufly fubmitted to calculation. The effects of
chemical attraction, or affinity, are, on the contrary,
fo altered by the particular and often indeterminate

conditions, that w7e cannot deduce them from any
7 *

general principle, but mult lay them down fucceffive-
ly as difcovered. It is only fome of the effects which
admit of being fufficiently detached from all the other
phenomena to yield to the precifion of calculation.

The Effay is divided into two parts : in the firft,
the author confiders all the elements of chemical
action ; and, in the fecond, the fubftances which exert
it, and which contribute the moll to chemical pheno¬
mena; claffing them by their difpofitions, or by the
relations which texift between their affinities. It is a
mo ft important law heretofore difcovered by M. Ber¬
th diet, that affinity is not the foie agent in chemical
phenomena : he has fhewn, in the cleared manner,
that quantity not a little influences the refults.

After treating of the force of cohefion, as one of
the elements of chemical adtion, the author proceeds
to examine the combinations of different bodies. He
commences by thofe of acids and alkalies, which
/have fo great an influence in the phenomena of nature,
and in the operations of art : he reports the experi¬
ments

Bertholletb Effay on Chemical Statics . 297

menfcs before given in his Memoir oji the Laws of Af¬
finity , which prove, that thefe bodies act not only in
the ratio of their affinity , but in that alio of their quan¬
tity. The refute of the combinations of acids and
alkalies afford precipitations, the various phenomena
of which are here developed.

M. Berthollet comes next to examine the qualities
of caloric , or the matter of lire ; which leads him to
the ihveftigation of the chara fieri flic properties o f
elaftie fluids. Laflly, he conhders the limits of com¬
binations, and the proportions of the elements which
enter into them.

A feparate feflion is devoted to the con fi deration
of the conftitution of atmofpheric air, which the au¬
thor hates to be compounded of

Oxygene gas - -- -- -- -- 0.2&'

Azotic gas - - . - - - 0.77

Carbonic acid gas-, a minute portion, lefs than 0.01
Befides thefe, which are conftanily found, atmofpheric
air may hold in folution different fu,b fiances which
then aflame the elaftie form, and of which fome are
the principles of odours.

The fecond volume of the work treats aim oil exclu-
fively of oxygene, and its combinations with the va¬
rious fubhances that form the acids and oxides.

“ The two properties, ” M. Berthollet remarks*
that particularly eharafterize oxygene are, I. Its
difpofition to combine with inflammable bodies, which
by fuch combination lofe their inflammability. 2. lb
communicate acidity to the combinations which if
forms, when it does not undergo too considerable a
faturation. I formerly oppofed this latter idea, which
originated with Lavoifier; hut it appears to me, at
prefent, that too great an extenflon has been given to
the principle willied to be eftablifhed, whilft I, on
my part, reftrifted it too much. In fact, to conclude
that all acidity proceeds f rom oxygen , even that of
the muriatic, fluoric, and benzoic adds, becaufe oxy¬
gen gives acidify to a great number of fulfil aiices, is

receding

298 AubinV Elements of External Pathology .

\ . ■ T j s . _ ’ > '

receding too far from the limits of analogy. Sulphur*
ated hydrogen, which really poffefles the properties
of an acid, proves directly, that acidity is not in alt
cafes derived from oxygen. Nor would it be more
reafonable to conclude that hydrogen is the principle
of alkalinity, not only in the alkalies properly fo call¬
ed, but in magnefia, lime, ffrontian, and barytes, be-
caufe ammonia appears to owe its alkalinity to this
principle.”

Since acidity is not always owTing to oxygen, the
term oxygen (generator of acids) is not applicable to
this gas, which fhould rather be called vital or pure
air. There muft be, therefore, another principle of
acidity, which is probably, M. Berthollet thinks, the
matter of fire ^ the moft active principle in nature.
He fuppofes, with the celebrated Lavoifier, that the
nitric acid contains an imroenfe quantity of caloric,
and that this caloric contributes to the activity of the
acid.

Analogy, as well as a great number of facts, prove
equally, that the other acids contain a quantity of ca¬
loric more or lefs confiderable ; and that this caloric,
which itfelf poffeffes fo much activity, contributes to
the aQivity of thofe acids. The author has elfewhere
expreiled his opinion, that, during combuftion, the
caloric which is difengaged comes both from the pure
air and from the combuftible body, and by no means
exclufiveiy from the oxygen, as the followers of La¬
voifier imagine.

The future labours of this diftinguifhed philofopher,
it may be hoped, will enable him to affign the por¬
tion of adlion which tnefe two grand agents, fire and
pure air , exert in chemical phenomena and in the
formation of natural bodies.

Art. XL1I. Element de Pathologie Externe : i. e.
Elements of External Pathology . By L. G. P.
Aubxn, Member of fever al Medical Societies at

Paris .

AubinV Elements of External Pathology. 290

Paris . 8 vo., 2 vols., price 12s. Paris, 1808,

Imported by T. Boosey.

THIS work is a compilation of the general dodtrines
and practice of furgery, colledted from the newed
and mod reputable fourceS, and methodically and ju-
dicioufiy arranged.

It is not eafy to clafs chirurgical difeafes according
to their caufes and natural affinities. They have com¬
monly been divided into five genera; wounds, tu¬
mours, ulcers, fradtures, and luxations 5 but this ar¬
rangement does not readily embrace nec rods, caries,
denuded bones, or burns. They might be claffed
according to the fyftem they attack, as the mufcular*
cutaneous, offeous, &c. ; but this would be equally
incomplete, as many difeafes attack different parts at
the fame time. All claffiff cation, in fadt, mull be in
fome degree arbitrary. The author has chofen the
following, as, on the whole, the lead objectionable
and the mod ufeful in regard to pradtice.

He fird treats of Inflammation, and its various ter-
ruinations by refolution, fuppuration, and gangrene.
Schirrhofity, or induration, is here excluded, as by no
means an ufual termination of inflammation, unlefs in
glandular parts, the difeafes of which are treated of
apart. Burns are next confidered in their different
degrees, and are properly fubjoined to eryffpelatou^
inflammation. The ufual divilion is then purfued of
wounds, tumours, ulcers, fradtures, and luxations.;
thefe again are fubdivided anatopffcaily, as they af¬
fect the head, neck, ears, bread, abdomen, and ex¬
tremities. To thefe are added fuch diforders as do
not readily fall into any of the orders already men¬
tioned.

The two volumes now given include neither the
affediions of the extremities nor the operations : of

courfe, the work is not to be confidered as vet com-

plete.

s: ' * * '••• <■!/ ■»

Aar.

. ( 300 )

- 1

Art. XLIIL A Next) Anatomical Nomenclature, re¬
lating to the Terms which are exprejftve of Pojition
and Afpect in the Animal Syflem. By John Bar-
clay, M.D., Lecturer on Anatomy in Edinburgh .
8vo., 182 pages, price 5s. Edinburgh, 1803,

Longman and Rees, London.

HP HE imperfeflion of anatomical language has
been long felt and complained of, and partial
attempts have at different times been made to re¬
medy the evil. It is, however, we fear, too deeply
rooted to be Toon or at once eradicated. Some late
French writers, as Vicq d’Azyr , Chauffer, and Du¬
mas, have made attempts in this way, though partial
only. Thus, in giving names to the mufcles, they
have endeavoured to didinguiih them by their origin
and infertion ; a mode recommended long before by
Window, and of which, indeed, a few examples are
to be found before his time. This mode, however,
as the author fhews, is not equally well calculated
for mufcles that have numerous origins and infer-
iions ; for the name that pretends to enumerate the
whole mud often run out to the length of a fentenee.
And it will be difficult to reconcile anatomids to 'fuch
names a.sjlerno~coj?o-clavio~humeral, pterygo-fyndefmo-
Jiaphy li-pharyngien, Jus f him- fcapulo-trochiterien, f us-
optico-fpheri-fclorotickn, &c. Nor, we apprehend,
will they be more ready to adopt the lefs complex*
but equally -inharmonious* language here propofed ;
as iniad, glabellad , antiniad, mefial, dermal, &c.,
however fatisfa£lory to the philologid the reafons on
which they are introduced.

After a good dedl of preliminary difcuffion on lan¬
guage in general and nomenclatures, the author pro
ceeds to the immediate objefl: of his work. * On the
cooled and moft impartial inquiry it appears,’ he ob~
ferves, ‘ that many of the prefent terms in anatomy
convey falfe or erroneous ideas; that many are fuper-
fiuous, and of the fuperfiuous many fupernumerary ;
/• •' ", that

Barclay’.? New Anatomical Nomenclature. 301

that many allude to antiquated names, which are but
feldom or no longer ufed ; that many have a vague and
indeterminate meaning, and are confequently ufed in
various fenfes ; and that feveral parts have received
names, while thofe wholes of which they are parts
have received none.’ Thus as inftances may be
mentioned, * fphenoides, arytcenoides , ajiragalus , cu¬
boid es^ which are founded on vague and remote
analogies, and fcarcely convey the mo ft diftant idea
of the forms which they were meant to exprefs.
Many which contain allufions to fundfions, and feem
to communicate fome thing of importance, deceive
thoufands of the indolent and incredulous, who truft
to their lame and imperfeft information. Some again,
as levator fcapula and fupinat'or radii longus , are al-
moft unavoidable fources of error, from directly infi-
mi a ting what is not true. And fome, as it were tak¬
ing advantage of a partial and erroneous claffification*
pretend to inform us of what belongs to this or that
function, excluding, by a kind of fecret refervation,
dome of the principal organs employed : this is evi¬
dent in our diftindtion and arrangement of mufcles
into flexors, extenfors , pronators, and fupinators .
But by no means the leaft numerous clafs are thofe
which allude to frivolous circumftances ; fome of
which, like fella turcica , and the word hippocampus ,
feem intended to illuftrate the things which we fee,
and which we may handle, by comparing them to ob¬
jects which we either have not feen, or have feldom
an opportunity of obfcrving.’

In his endeavours to remedy the evils here pointed
out, the author, in the prefent effay, proceeds no far¬
ther than the terms exprefhve of pofition and afpedh
In the prefent nomenclature, thefe are generally point¬
ed out by the Words fuperior , inferior , pojl trior , ex¬
ternal^ internal , 8ec. &c. After pointing out the
ambiguity of thefe, and the erroneous ideas they are
apt to convey, Dr. Barclay proceeds to mention thofe
which he thinks more determinate in their meaning,
vol, x, D d and

S-ji Barclay V New Anatomical Nomenclature,

and which, therefore, might with advantage be adopt¬
ed in their places. We fhall content ourfelves with
noticing a few of the innovations propofed, referring
for the remainder to the work itfelf.

With regard to the trunk, indead of the terms fu¬
perior and inferior , as expreffive of htuation and
afpe6t, he propofes to employ atlantal and facral , in
reference to the two bones forming the two extremi¬
ties of the fpine, the atlas and facrum. Indead of
anterior and pojierior , the terms Jlernal and dor fat
are propofed : fuperficial and deep-feated are denoted
by dermal and central ; or, if fpeaking of a particular
organ, peripheral indead of dermal . For denoting a
fuppofed middle line dividing the body into two
halves, the term me fiat is recommended. Lateral ,
dextral , and JiniJirai , are fufficiently obvious in their
application.

The vafcular fydem is propofed to be divided into
two parts, each confiding of veins and arteries. The
one for conveying blood from the lungs to the fyftera
at large, including the pulmonary veins, the left finus,
auricle, and ventricle, with the aorta and all its
branches, would be denominated the fyjlemic veffels,
containing in them the vermilion blood. The other
for conveying the blood again from the fydem back
to the heart, to be called the pulmonic , confiding of
the bronchial veins, the veins of the head, hearty
trunk, and extremities, the right linus, auricle, and
ventricle, with the pulmonary artery and all its
branches: this fydem of veflels contains th^ purple
blood.

The fuperior extremities would be named atlantal ,
the inferior the facral; and that end which is neared
the trunk would be proximal , the other the dijial
end. The four fides or afpebb of the fuperior extre¬
mity are propofed to be radical , ulnar , anconal , and
thenal ; of the lower, tibia /, fbular, popliteal, and
rotular.

The

Barclay "s New Anatomical Nomenclature . 303

The terms above enumerated are fufficiently ob¬
vious and Ample, and might probably be introduced
without much difficulty. Proceeding to the head,
new names becomes necefiary, and they are fuch as
are more remote from ordinary language. The terms
dermaly centraly mejialy &c., apply here as well as
to the trunk. But we have befides bajilar and co -
ronaly to exprefs the bafe and crown of the head :
inial and glabellar , the former derived from the Greek
word inion y occiput in Latin \ the latter from gla-
bellary a word ufed by fome anatomifls who have
written in Latin, to exprefs the part where the nafal
bones are conne£fed with the os frontis. The part of
the face which is placed at the greateft diftance from
the inion is propofed to be called antinion .

This will fuffice to give our readers an infight into
the principles which have guided the author in the
plan of his work ; and it will fcarcely .be necefiary to
enlarge farther on it. How far it will be attended
with fuccefs, we prefume not to decide. Many, no
doubt, will queftion the neceffity or propriety of fo
radical a change, and would rather leave the improve¬
ment of anatomical language to the How and filent
operation of time, which will do much ; as is evident
from the many infiances of change of terms that might
be pointed our, in a comparifon of modern and an-
tienfc works. The reafons for a radical change of
nomenclature in anatomy are by no means fo firong,
nor the opportunity fo favourable, as with regard to
chemiftry ; for of this, the principles were to undergo
a complete change, and new terms were wanting to
exprefs new ideas and new fa£ts. The fame cannot
be faid of anatomy. The obftacles to innovation,
mentioned in the following quotation by the author
from a French writer*, will probably operate, on the

* Degerando, des Signeset de l'Art de penfer confideree dans leur
Rapports mutuels.

Dd 2 prefent

304 Barclay's New Anatomical Nomenclature .

prefent as on other occafions, to prevent its adoption,
whatever intrinfic merit it poffefs.

‘ Whatever the merits of a language may be, if it
once has received the fan&ion of time and the fuf-
frages of mankind, the philofopher will find it no eafy
matter to change or improve it. He may, if he chufe,
demonftrate its faults and its imperfections ; but if he
prefume to offer to the world the model of another,
though more regular and fyflematic, there is no quarter
from which he has not to expeCt oppofition. He will
have, in this daring and hardy attempt, to combat at
once the prejudices of the vulgar and the pretenfions
of the learned. The former will bring in a phalanx
againft him ; all thole firong and (acred regards that
are due to old and eltablifned cuiloms; cuftoms fup-
ported by the conduct of thoufands who have gone
before him, and the tacit approbation of illufirious
names that are univerfally held in efteem and high ve¬
neration. The leaft reflection is fufficient to convince
us, that their recollections and their ideas mult reft
upon names ; and, although erroneouily, they will ah
moft unavoidably draw the conclufion, that it is im-
poffible to change the one without likewife changing
the other, and throwing the whole into diforder.

s The learned, on the contrary, will dillike a re¬
form that may appear to confer on its author a fort of
dominion over the fcience. They will grant, per¬
haps, that the language propofed is preferable to that
already in ufe ; but, before they adopt it, they will
require a demonfirative proof that it is likewile the
belt poffibie. We ought not, they will fay, to rejeef
a language already eftablifhed, unlefs we be affured
that the one which is to be fubftituted for it is liable
to no fort of objection, or that it will in future preclude
-the neceffity of new innovations. If it fhould hap¬
pen to proceed on a fyftem, and that fyftem in any
refpeCt owe its fupport to difputed faCts or contefted
opinions, the oppofition will be ftill more violent.
1 hofe who find their opinions overlooked, or the de-

cifion

CoxeV Practical Obfervations on Vaccination . 305

eifion given againft them, will naturally be difpofed
to reprobate the whole, and watch for opportunities
to treat it with inve&ives. Even former habits witlr
the learned themfelves, if they yield at all, will yield
with reluCtance ; for there is evidently in the nature
of man a ftrong predilection for all thofe means which
he has found inftrumentally ufeful in promoting his
fchemes t and we find the learned, as well as the
vulgar, attached to the words which they have been
long accuftorned to ufe, and very often in proportion
to the labour which they have bellowed on their ac-
quifition.

‘ Nor are thefe the only fources of difficulty which
a new nomenclature has to overcome, or of difap-
pointments which it has to look for. Be they learned
or unlearned, the indifferent will treat it with cold-
nefs and negleCl ; the indecifive will doubt and he-
iitate, and withhold their opinion till its fate be deter¬
mined : and, although it ffiould anfwer the purpofes
intended, the invidious will naturally feel hurt at fee¬
ing others attaining their object at a lefs expenfe than
they did themfelves; for in their eftimation, ficience,
like a diamond, ffiould derive its value from its rarity
its price, and the difficulty of procuring it; add to
this, that the timid and defponding will, without the
trouble of making the diftinCfion, exprefs a diftruft at
all innovations ; and the indolent fee nothing in fuch
an improvement but the grievous trouble of learning
new terms ; while the man of words will be indignant
at the thoughts of a language whofe clearnefs and pre¬
cision may check the flow of his loofe declamations*
or be the means of detefting his ignorance.’

v. • 1 • * * ' x

Art. XLIV. Practical Obfervations on Vaccina¬
tion , or Inoculation for the Cow-pock . By John
Redman Coxe, M.D., Phyjician to the Pennsyl¬
vania Hcfpitaly 8(c. 8vo., 152 pages. Philadel¬
phia, 1802. * (N. Y. Med. Rep., No. 22.j>

D d 3 THE

306 CoxeV Practical Obfervations on Vaccination .

rip HE refpeftable author of this work is one of
thofe who have taken laudable pains to intro¬
duce the inoculation of the cow-pock into the United
States of America, to remove the difficulties which
oppofed its reception and progrefs, and to correft the
misftateraents which ignorance or a mifchievous dif-
pofition had circulated in the community. Mod of
the leading fafts and principles relating to the fubjeft
are here noticed. He adopts the opinion, that the
infection of the cow-pcck was originally derived from
the greafe in horfes, and prefents fome of the more
Itriking rafts which have been adduced by different
perfons in its fupport.

Much difcuffion and difference of opinion have
arifen on, the queftion, How late in the difeafe it may
be allowed to take matter for the purpofe of inocula¬
tion? The author does not agree with Dr. jenner,
who enjoins it upon inoculators to confider the ap¬
pearance of the efflorefcence as a facred boundary
which ought not to be tranfgreffed ; but is rather in¬
clined to believe, that while the fluid in the vehicle
continues limpid, and the fcab is not far advanced,
no inconvenience will arife from the ufe of the matter.

Several cafes are here adduced of the union of cow-
pock and fmall-pox ; of the co^exiftence of meailes
and cow-pock ; of cow-pock and fcarlatina angi-
nofa; and of fmall-pox, meafles, and hooping-cough.
Hence he infers a ftrong proof of the poffibility of two
different diieafes exifting in the fyftem together; a
concluiion adverfe to the generally prevailing doftrine
of the day.

Dr. C oxe fuppofes that cafes of fpurious fmall-pox
occur in a manner analogous to thofe of cow-pock, and
thereby produce the difappointments which phyficians
fometimes experience in the effefts of inoculation.
But, befides the cafes of fpurious or imperfeft fmall-
pox, he ftates inflances of a fecond attack of that dif¬
eafe, where the firff had been charafterized by all the
effehtial and unequivocal fymptoms. However dif¬
ficult

Thomanis V Annals . SOT

ftcult it may be to explain fuch cafes* they feem to
reft on unexceptionable fa&s.

The effefts of vaccination in amending weak con-
ftitutions is alfo exhibited in an advantageous light.
The author particularly mentions its efficacy in cor-
re£ting the fcrophulous diathefis, in removing certain
cutaneous difeafes, hooping-cough, deafnefs, &c.

Art, XLV. Annales de VInjtitut Medico-C Unique
de Wurtjbourg - — Annals of the Medico-Clinical In-
fitutim of Wuvtzburgh . By L. N. Thomanis,

M.D. 8C Prof Vol II, 1801.

(From Bib. Germ., No. 45.)

THE prefent volume is preceded by a table of the
variations of the thermometer and barometer in
the year 1799, and by an index of all the patients ad¬
mitted into the Xnftitution during the fame period.
No other order is obferved in the hiftories given, thati
that of time : the difeafes of each month are in¬
troduced by fome general remarks on the epidemical
conftitution of that period, and the moft remarkable
cafes defcribed. Some hiftories are likewife added, of
fuch fporadic cafes of difeafe as appeared particularly
deferving notice. Amongft others, two cafes of afcites
are detailed at length, with the treatment that was
had recourfe to, and which in both proved fuccefsful,
though one of them, from imprudence, buffered a re¬
lap ie, when the difeafe proved fatal.

M. Thomanis obferves, that he has feen a great
many cafes of this difeafe, which he has had the good
luck to cure by a tonic and ftimuJant mode of treat¬
ment, though at a period of the diforder that afforded
but little hopes of recovery. He has tried different
methods of cure, and various remedies propofed by
authors, which however have not anfwered his expec¬
tations ; and he in particular adopted with much ar¬
dour the plan recommended by M. Pop , but was

D d 4 unable

308

ThomanisV Annals .

unable to obferve the ftriking effeCts attributed by
this writer to turpentine and aloes in this difeafe*.
Amongft the ftimulants, the fuccefs of which in his
hands appears to have been the moll certain, the
fquill holds the firft rank ; from which, however, he
did not reap any very decided advantage, unlefs he
took care to affociate with it fome tonic remedy, pre-
fcribing at the fame time a regimen fitted to fupport
its effeCts.

In directing our attention to the nature and ordi¬
nary caufes of afcites, we foon fee, M. Thomanis re¬
marks, that the charafter of this difeafe is moil; com¬
monly afthenic, and requires to be treated by reme¬
dies more or lefs tonic and ftimulant, according as
the weaknefs of the fyftem is carried to a greater or
lefs degree. But, in following thefe indications, we
often run a rifk of being deceived, if we imagine that
this treatment will fucceed in all forts of cafes. It is
Only in thofe which have not yet reached their laft
period, fo as to deftroy the organization of the parts
where it is feated, that the plan can fulfil the withes
of the practitioner : for when, either by the violence
of the difeafe, or by its duration, the organization
has fuffered to a certain degree ; or when there exift
along with it other local afleCVions in the lymphatic
veffels, nerves, or vifcera, there is neither medicine
nor method which can effeCt a cure ; the phyfician in
fuch cafes can only be the fad fpeClator of the decay
of the animal machine.

* As long, however, as the organs remain entire, and
afcites takes place in confequence of direCt or indi¬
rect debility, local or general, we may flatter ourfelves
with the hopes of a cure, by the means mentioned
above. The treatment, according to the author,
fhould commence by punCturing the abdomen, in
order to give iffue to the water effufed in that cavity;
an indication which he deems it efiential to fulfil, for

* The Treatife of M. Pop here alluded to, will probably he noticed
in the next Number of our Review.

Thomanis’.? Annals.

309

the reafons adduced by Richter, in his Surgery. He
then gives, three times a day, a powder compofed of
the following ingredients :

R. Pulveris fcillae gr. ij.

Calomel - - - - - gr. j.

Opii purificati - gr.

Sacchari albi - - - gr. x. Mifce.

A light but fubftantial diet is prefcribed to the pa-
tierit, with copious and mucilaginous drinks ; with a
regimen moderately exciting. Fomentations of aro¬
matic herbs are to be made on the abdomen, and fric¬
tions with volatile camphorated liniment, with the
addition of laudanum.

By continuing thefe means for eight, twelve, or
fifteen days, watching carefully to prevent either fali-
vation or diarrhoea from taking place, he has often
obferved the urine to flow in great abundance ; the
pulfe, before fmall and weak, become fuller and
ftronger ; * the abdomen {brink in fize; the ftrength
and fpirits return ; all the fun&ions be reftored, and
the patient complain only of a general feeling of de¬
bility.

Sometimes he fubftitutes for the above powder a
Ample, mixture of two or three grains of the fquill with
fome aromatic, exhibiting it every three hours ; foroe-
times he adds fome of the bitter extracls, cinchona
or ether, allowing the patient wine and water for his
drink. The aofes of thefe remedies are varied accord¬
ing to the degree of the malady and the ftrength of
the patient. Towards the end of the treatment, he
often employs chalybeates, which are then of great
benefit.

The next fubjedf here difcuffed is Tinea Capitis , a
difeafe extremely difgufting, and often obftinate in its
cure. It is generally confidered as of a fcrophulous
nature, and, no doubt, frequently (hews itfelf in chil¬
dren affedled with fcrophula : M. Thomanis , however,
obferves, that this is by no means generally the cafe,
' ' for

$10 ThomanisV Annals .

for it often attacks individuals in other refpefts in per--
fe6t health, whilft others truly fcrophulous are never
affefted by it. From time immemorial, almcft, it has
been the cuftom to treat this difeafe in two different
ways ; the one by a long-continued ufe of evacuant
and alterative remedies ; the other more expeditious
and more certain, but extremely painful and cruel in
its execution, confining in covering the head with a
pitch-plafter, which attaches itfelf ftrongly to the hair*
and by means of which they are rooted out: this
mode is for the moft part abandoned to empirics, and
is had recourfe to where the former has been employ¬
ed without fuccefs.

It is certain, however, the author obferves, that
the tinea may be cured by means not lefs efficacious,
and far eafier in their execution, than thofe above
mentioned. Simple emollient applications, with great
attention to cleanlinefs, fuffice in many cafes for its
removal ; and in all, thefe are indifpenfible, in order
to detach the fcabs, and to remove the acrid humour
of the ulcers, which are kept up by it.; in order alfo,
to favour the application of detergents, on which
principally the cure refts, but which many pra&itioners
blame the ufe of, founding their obje&ion on theore¬
tical grounds which experience difproves, and which
daily lofe their credit among enlightened phyficians.

M. Thomanis' s mode of treatment is wholly exter¬
nal. He employs as a topical application charcoal in
powder ; a fubftance, the knowledge of the medical pro¬
perties of which w7e owe to modern chemiftry; which
is at prefent employed in a variety of cafes with ad¬
vantage; and which, according to the teftimony here
adduced, may be regarded as one of the moft effica¬
cious remedies we poffefs againft tinea capitis. The
following cafe will ferve to illuftrate the author’s prac¬
tice

Barbara Metz, thirteen years of age, had been fup-
ported from infancy by charity, and. consequently had
been greatly ne.glefled in refpeft of cleanlinefs. Al¬
though

Thomanis’s Annals .

311

though {he had gone through the ordinary difeafes
of infancy without danger, (he continued pale, ca¬
chectic, and diminutive in fize, and had in fa£t fuffer-
ed all the privations of a Hate of poverty. She was ad¬
mitted into the Clinical Inftitute on the firfi: of Fe¬
bruary, without -any other difeafe than the marks of
general weaknefs, and a tinea which covered her
whole head. The integuments were eroded by a
multitude of fmall ulcerations, which difcharged
an ichorous humour, fo fetid as to be fcarcely bearable.
The hair glued together formed maffes, under which
were lodged an incredible number of vermin, pro¬
ducing altogether a horrible appearance.

A confideration of all the circumftances led to
the determination of treating the difeafe in merely a
local manner. The hair was cut off as clofely as poff
fible, and towards evening the ulcerated parts were
covered with powder of charcoal, covering the whole
with a proper bandage. The following morning the
parts were wafhed with warm foap and water, and
the* charcoal was renewed daily, night and morning.
Within the fpace of three days, the fetid odour of
the ulcers had entirely difappeared, good pus was
formed, and a tendency to heal was manifeft. On
the fifth day, the ulcers were all cicatrized, and the
integuments affumed a natural and healthy appear¬
ance : there was neither tumefa£lion nor induration
vifible. The patient now quitted the Inftitute, and
it was afcertained that no relapfe took place after¬
wards. Several other cafes of the fame diforder
are mentioned, in which the charcoal powder proved
equally efficacious.

An aggravatedcafe offcrophula,affe£iingthe parotid
and maxillary glands, is related in which the good effeft s
of a mercurial treatment were very confpicuous. The
patient was a young man, twenty years of age, who,
befides the affeftionof the glands, had pforopthalmia,
in confequence of which the cornea had become

opaque.

$12

Herdman on the Influenza*

opaque, and the abdomen was hard and unequal*
The following was prefcribed :

R. Calomel - - - grs. xii.

Opii pur, - - - - grs. vj.

Sacch. alb. - - - jjj.

Mifce, et divide in partes xii, quarurn fumat aeger$
terdie.

This plan was purfued (with occafional fhort inters
rniffions on account of the mercury's producing fali-
vation) for the fpace of fix weeks, when all the fymp-
toms had difappeared* and the patient was put on a
courfe of {lengthening remedies. — This cafe appears
to be of fome importance, as it proves the efficacy of
mercury, in at lead fome cafes of fcrophula, though
in this country a general prejudice feems to be enter¬
tained againft the ufe of this remedy altogether in this
difeafe.

Art. XLVI. A Plain Difcourfe , on the Caufes ,
Nature , and Cure of the prevailing Epidemical
Difeafe , termed Influenza . By John Herdman,
M.D. , of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edin¬
burgh. 8vo, 76 pages, price 2s 6d. London, 1803*
Lo ngman and Rees.

THE fubjecf of the prefent eiTay has loft a good
deal of its intereft by the difappearance of
the difeafe from amongft us ; though a catarrhal affec¬
tion, with fymptoms more or lefs refemblingthofe which
nfually attend the epidemical difeafe, has continued
to fhew itfelf occafionally ever fince the beginning of
fpring. The difeafe, as to its nature and treatment,
has been viewed in different lights, whilft the queffion
of its contagioufnefs appears {fill to be quite undeter¬
mined.

The prefent author’s opinion is, that it was not
contagious, but that it was produced by temperature
and . atmofpherical influence. He conliders it as a

mixture

Herdman on the Influenza . 3 IS

^ « •/

mixture of fever and ordinary catarrh, and that it re-
fembles exadtly in its pathology and cure, ordinary fe¬
ver, with fuch variation of treatment as the catarrhal
fymptoms may feenr to require. The author here
takes occafion to enter into an hypothetical inquiry
into the nature of fever, which he afferts to be always
a difeafe of debility, there being no fuch thing in na¬
ture, in his opinion, as fynocha or fimple inflammatory
fever.

The argument is thus conduced. — -c This is a doc¬
trine which no one can difpute ; it muff be univerfal-
!y admitted:, for whatever may be the form of the fe¬
ver; be it intermittent or remittent, ague or continu¬
ed fever ; be it typhus fever, yellow fever, fcarlet fe¬
ver, or the plague, it is founded on derangement or de¬
bility; for this is the natural and neceffary eiledl of
the exciting caufes of fever, and all its fymptoms are
fymptoms of debility. Who has feen a fever of over¬
excitement? Does fynocha, as it has been termed, or
the pure inflammatory fever, really exift?

4 This difeafe is conftkuted by the phlogiitic di'athe-
fis, according to Dr. Cullen, and by the fihenic d la¬
the (is, according to Dr. Brown. It is fa-rd to be a
difeafe of over-excitement; yet, like thofe difeafes
that <f are more ftricliy called fevers,” it has no cc to¬
pical affedtion that is eflential and primary, fuch as
the other orders of the pyrexia always have.” This
is therefore the moil' remarkable of all difeafes; for
it is difficult to underhand either its production or
its exiftence; and it is as difficult to conceive bow
it got a place in nofological arrangement. But it is
underftood to be a phlogiftic difeafe, or a difeafe of
over-excitement; it is, as it were, an exuberance of
health. It mu ft therefore be produced by the opera¬
tion of powerful ftimuli; of ftimuji which operate in a
higher degree than is neceffary to produce health;
which raife the excitement above health, as it were,
and thereby produce difeafe. But if ft i my li operate
in this degree, will they not derange or debilitate the

animal

5X4 Herdman on the Influenza.

animal body ? Will they not rather produce indirefl
debility and deficient excitement? Debility is the
tieceffary effe£t of the operation of every powerful fti-
mulus ; and therefore is it not a fair conclufion, that
in whatever degree the ftimulus operates above what
is required to produce health, that it will produce a
proportional degree of indireft debility? At all
events, how can over-excitement, or the fthenic dia-
thefis, be fuppofed to exift after the ftimulus has ceaf-
ed to operate? If it has not operated to the extent of
producing indireft debility, the moment that it ceafes
to operate, the excitement, if it falls no lower, muft
tail to the healthful point; and therefore it feems a
reafonable conclufion, that the fthenic diathefis has no
exiftence in nature. Beftdes, it feems incongruous in
language to call the higheft ftate of health a difeafe.
How then are we to underftand the exiftence of fv nu¬
cha, or the pure inflammatory fever? It can only
exift but for a moment, comparatively fpeaking. Ab-
ftract the ftimulus, or the exciting caufe, and it is
gone. Bleeding and other evacuations, and antiphlo-
giftic pra6tice, are fuperfl.uous and unneceffary; for in
all probability it is an imaginary difeafe,

4 Thus there is every reafon to conclude, that fever,
in all its varieties, forms, and ihapes, is a difeafe of de¬
rangement or debility ; for it is produced by caufes
that derange and debilitate the animal body : it thews
forth fy nip to ms of derangement or debility ; and, ge¬
nerally fpeaking, it is beft oppofed or removed by
powers which produce oppofite effects to thofe caufes
which produce it ; by powers which enable the fyftem
to throw off its difeafed or morbid actions, which re¬
ft ore its loft or diminilhed energies, and reinftate the
phenomena of health/

But not only is fever a difeafe of debility: catarrh
and inflammation, we are told, in general, are equally
fo. The inference in regard to the treatment is ob¬
vious. Inftead of blood-letting or other evacuations,
with an antiphlogiftic plan of cure, the very oppofites
are of courfe to be employed.

4 Thus

315

Herdman on the Influenza .

* Thus there is one great and fundamental princi¬
ple to guide your fteps in the cure of this difeafe.
You are not to derange and debilitate the fyftem farther
by your remedies, for this is done to your hand: this
is already done by the exciting caufes of the difeafe ;
and that it is done, is fufficiently evidenced by one and
all the fymptoms. Your remedies, therefore, ought to
be directed to excite and invigorate the body, and not
to weaken it; to enable it to throw off its morbid ac¬
tions ; to reftore its loft and diminifhed energies; in a
word, to oppofe and remove the effects which have
been produced by the exciting caufes of the difeafe,
and thus to reproduce the healthful ftate/

4 Did this difeafe fhew no catarrhal, nor no inflam¬
matory fymptoms, you never would think of bleeding
your patient. You would eonftder it as a difeafe of
great debility; you would prefcribe opium, wine, and
bark, and every cordial and tonic power. But becaufe
it has inflammatory fymptoms, is it not therefore a dif-
eafe of debility ? It is as much, nay more, a difeafe of
debility with them, as without them, and they matter
not, as indicating an evacuatory or an antiphlogiftic
method of cure.

c It is the general ftate of the fyftem, therefore, that
you are chiefly to regard in the treatment of this dif¬
eafe. You are to endeavour its prefervation, and to
ftrain hard in keeping it from falling lower and lower*
in its powers of life: you excite and fupport it, but
you do not direftly weaken it for any iymptom what¬
ever. This is your primary object, while the fymp¬
toms are fecondary. By them you judge of the de¬
gree of the difeafe, of its mildnefs and feverity, and the
force of your remedies. You look to the ftate and
condition of the fyftem in the firft inftance, and to the
local or inflammatory affeCtions in the fecond. Your
remedies, therefore, are firft general, and then local, or
they go hand in hand. You are particularly anxious
to remove the difeafed condition of the fyftem, while
you are not neglectful of the local affections. ’

Speaking

SI 6 , Herd man on the Influenza .

V -

Speaking of a fpontaneous fweat, which fometimes
arifes, and no doubt often terminates the difeafe cri¬
tically, the author adds, ‘ this is the method which Na¬
ture takes to remove the difeafe. Y et are her efforts not
always fuccefsfuh They fometimes loiter, and ftop
fhort of the defired effeCt: they are languid, and are
languid from various caufes ; from intemperance, or
from previous difeafe; from age, or from mifmanage-
ment or ill treatment at the commencement of the
difeafe. Now is your time to ftep forward in the aid
and affiftance of Nature. You aclminifter your flimii-
lant medicines, and your warm cordial drinks; your
opium, or your warm wine, or w'arm fpirits and water.
You excite his fyftem to throw off its languid and dif¬
eafe d actions; you excite a copious fweat, and you
let him fweat, without changing his coverings, till it
ceafes, or nearly ceafes, to flow.

c In this manner you frequently remove the difeafe,
or flop it fhort in its career. In this manner alfo does
Nature fometimes operate. In her economy flie ex¬
cites a copious fweat, and the body returns to the
healthful ftate. But fhould fhe fail in her operations ;
ihould the difeafe neither be removed in the economy
of Nature, nor by art, you have to ftruggle with a
longer period of difeafe. Now you muft endeavour
to carry your patient through it, as it were; fup-port
his vital energies; obviate bis tendency to death, and
bring the difeafe to a falutary termination/— Cum mad -
l is hujufmodi aliis .

Such is the flyle of reafoning, and fuch the praQi-
cal conclufions here drawn. Of the former, however
eloquently difplayed in the author’s opinion, and how¬
ever confidently advanced, a very contemptible opinion
will probably be entertained by practitioners of found
observation and experience : the influence of fuch
doftrines on the practice of the younger part of the
profeffion is a point of flill greater moment, and me¬
rits reprobation. If ever practice be grounded on fuch

. principles,.

Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and Phyjio logy. 317

principles, and carried to the length which in confifl-
ency it ought to be, we have no hefitation in faying it
would prove, in a multitude of inftances, highly de¬
ft motive. The world may in reafon fhortly look for
a treatife from the author, pointing out the c danger¬
ous effects of blood-letting in peripneumony, with
proofs of the infallibility of opium and brandy, as a
fubftitute.’

Art. XLVII. Traitb .d' Anatomie et de Phyfio logit

Vegetates, Ac. A Treatife on Vegetable Anato¬
my and Phyfiology , followed by a Methodical No¬
menclature of the external Paris of Plants , and a
fuccinct Expoftion of the mojl generally adopted
Sy ferns of Botany . Intended as an Introduction to
the Study of that Science. By C. F.. Brisseau-
Mirbel, N a t u ra l II i ft o ry A fjifla nt to the N a-
tional Mufeum,Profe(jbr of Botany at the A the heum
of Paris, Ac. 8vo., 2 vols. Price 12s. Paris, 1802.
Imported by T. Boosey.

IN a former number of our Review*, we noticed at
fome length a Memoir of Cit. Mirbel on the ele¬
mentary organs of plants, which was read to the Na¬
tional Inflitute of Paris, and received with deferved
applaufe. Since this period the author has extended
his plan, and, in the volumes before us, has given a fuc-
cindl but clear view of the ftrud'ture and functions of
plants in general. We proceed now to lay before our
readers a Tummary account of the wmrk, which indeed
has much to recommend it to the notice of lovers of
this interefting branch of Natural Hiftory.

In a preliminary difcourfe, M. Mirbel makes fome
general obfervations on natural hiftory, and its different
branches. The antients, he obferves, divided the ob¬
jects of nature into three great claffes or kingdoms, as

* V ol. 9, pp. 164, 221.

vol. x. E e theV

j ■

318 Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and Phyjiology .

they are termed, Animal , Vegetable , and Mineral .
This divifion, which, at firft fight, appears altogether
fatisfadtory, is by no means fo on a clofe and minute
infpedtion: the gradation from one to the other is im¬
perceptible, and leaves no vifible line of diftin£lion.
A better claffification, therefore, has been adopted,
and natural bodies in general been divided into inor¬
ganic and organic: from this divifion, two perfedll/
diftindt fciences arife ; that of elements, and that of
organs .

The fcience of elements embraces fluids, earths,
metals and their compounds ; beings formed of an affern-
blage of molecules applied one to another, increafing
by the addition of frefh molecules, which adapt them-
felves to their fituation by mere juxta-pofition ; de-
creating and multiplying themfelves by the fortuitous
reparation of fome of thofe molecules. Thefe bodies,
fubjedted to the general laws of attraftion, of chemi¬
cal affinity, and gravitation, neither have, nor can
have, voluntary motion, nor developement, nor life*
The fcience of elements calculates the number, pro¬
portion, and mutual affinity, of inorganic molecules ;
it inveftigates their properties, whether in their hate of
fimplicity, or in their hate of combination.

The fecond fcience confiders vegetable and animal
bodies; beings formed of molecules conne&ed toge¬
ther in a particular order, which we term organization .
Animals and vegetables prefent, as organic elements,
acellular and a vafcular tiflue ; frequently endowed
with irritability; through which are inceffantly cir~
culated and tranfmitted fluids, that are modified by
their paffage in the different veffels; and they prefent
to us, as compound parts, organs or parts diftinguifh-
ed from each other bv their form, nature, and func¬
tions, and which increafe in power and in bulk, by
the addition ol new molecules depofited in their tiffue,
and fubjecfed in time to the laws of organization,
Thefe beings originate from an ovum, develope them¬
felves, produce individuals fimilar to themfelves at a

certain

Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and Thyjiology . 319

certain period of their life, undergo inevitable decay
from the deftructive hand of time, a decay which is
accelerated by accidental difeafe, and at length die
when they have filled the meafureof duration appoint¬
ed to them by nature ; when, throwing afide the cha¬
racters of organization, they give back to the inorganic
kingdom the elements of which they were formed.
The fcience of which thefe bodies are the obje&, is
employed in investigating the texture, number, difpofi-
tion, form, and reciprocal actions of the organs.

Here it is that the divifion of the antients has a
place : organized beings may be divided into animal
and vegetable ; but the divifion is fecondary only*
and incomplete, fince the line of diftin£tion cannot
be accurately drawn. One is aftonifhed, on examin¬
ing the firft developernents of the plant and the animal,
to obferve fo marked a refemblance. In forming: the
egg and the grain, nature had but one object,— the pre¬
fer vat ion of the fpecies; and the means of effecting it
are the fame in both. The egg and the grain prefent,
externally, coverings more or iefshard, and within thefe
the embryo, with a nutriment appropriated to its feeble
ftate ; but, in one and the other, it is only after a cer¬
tain time, and in certain circumftances, that life mani-
lefts itfelf. . -

If we obferve the vegetable and the animal in a ftate
of farther deyelopement, we fliall fee that they are
nourifhed by analogous means. The fluids which cir¬
culate through them depofit in the cellular tiflue the
molecules which ferve to augment their volume.

The animal, it is true, is endowed exclufivel.y with
a brain, an organ which no other refembles; in this is
lodged, in an order determined by nature, the image
of every object that ftrikes the fenfes : this is alfo the
organ of thought. The nerves, diftributed by innu¬
merable ramifications to every part of the body, re¬
ceive impreflions, and carry them to the brain, whence
emanates the will, which the nerves tranfmit, and the
imufcles execute. But there are animals, as the poly-

E e 2 pus,

320 Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and Phyjiology *

pus, in which the mod fcrutinizing anatomift has.
never yet {hewn the prefence of a brain, nerves, nor
mufcles. This being, which refembles the finger of a
glove formed of chagrine, re-produces itfelf from every
part of its body. In how many parts foever it be di¬
vided, each portion becomes a perfect polypus. The
fame takes place in many vegetables. No perfon at
prefent doubts that the polypus is an animal : by the
aid of moveable threads, it feizes the infedts which ap¬
proach it, conveys them into the tube of which it con-
fids, grinds them down, and in a fhort time acquires,
throughout its fubdance, the colour of the fluids it
derives from its prey ; the remainder is rejected by the
fame opening, which thus ferves alternately the func¬
tions of a mouth and an anus.

In this performance of its fundlions, it is impodible
not to recognife a certain degree of fenfibility. The
exidence of a brain, therefore, is not effential to the
conditution of an animal. Or it may be, that a brain
really exids in this animal, though it has efcaped
hitherto our obfervation ; and the author cannot con¬
ceive fenfation to exid without it. It is probable,
that this organ may be didributed throughout every
part of the polypus, fince each part, when feparated
from the red, enjoys the faculties which pertain to the
entire animal.

Boerhaave thought he had given a decided point of
difcrimination between the two claffes of organic being's,
by faying, that animals have an inteftinal canal, and are
nourifbed by internal roots, whild plants are without
fuch a canal, and have their roots fituated on their ex*
ternal furface. But the polypus has no intedinal canal,
and its whole body is furnifhed with minute pores or
openings which imbibe nutritious fluids: the proof of
this is furnifhed by the often-tried experiment, of turn¬
ing it infide out. This operation makes no change in
its habits ; it continues to feize its prey, and to devour
it, as it it had always been in this date: its two fur-

faces.

Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and Phyfiology . 321

feces, therefore, are equally fitted for the abforption of
fluids.

There is, however, another mark of diftindtion,
which has been too little noticed ; the faculty which
plants poffefs of deriving nourifhment from inorganic
fubfiances, and which does not feetn to belong to ani¬
mals. Thefe devour animal or vegetable matters, or
both, but never appear to derive their nutriment from
earths, falts, air, or gafeous fluids. Thus pfents feeni
to transform dead matter into organized and living
matter, and thus to prepare it for becoming the food
of animals. Hence vegetables form an intermediate
link between unorganized matter, and beings endow¬
ed with organization and fenflbility.

Vegetables give out no folid excrements, on ac¬
count of their wanting a flomach and alimentary canal.
Their roots are external, and abforb diredlly from the
furrounding medium the fubfiances neceflary to nutri¬
tion. Thefe external roots are fuited, likewife, to be¬
ings that are pafllve, infenflble, and conftantly fixed to
the fpot on which they grow: but would not have
been at all adapted to beings endowed with fenflbili¬
ty, devoted by nature to confiant agitation, led by
pafiion or neceflity to feek their prey, and who are al¬
lured of the pofleflion of it only by devouring it the
inftant it is caught. Nature, by giving to animals the
faculty of carrying about with them the matters which
ferve them tor nourilhment, has multiplied the chances
of their prefervation.

Irritability, alfo, has been affigned as the difcriminat-
ing charadter of animality. But plants pofiefs a facul¬
ty at leaf! very fimilar to this, if not identical with it.

But however imperfedl the diftindlion between ani¬
mals and vegetables is, as depending on the charac¬
ters mentioned flngly taken, when conjoined they form
a line of demarcation fufficiently evident.

Vegetable phyfiology is a fcience very imperfecllv
known. The antients knew fcarcely any thing of the

anatomy

322 Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and PhyJiology,

anatomy or fun&ions of plants; nor could it be other-
wife, ignorant as they were of the inicrofcope, and of
chemical principles; the aid of both which is here
indifpenfible. Chance or necellity difcovered to them
fome important faffs ; but thefe they viewed with the
inconfideratenefs of men, who never fufpedled the pof-
fibility of explaining the phenomena which paffed be«
fore their eyes. They knew, from time immemorial, that
the pollen of the male flower of the palm tree fecun¬
dated the female flower; but they drew no conclufion
from it, in regard to the fecundation of plants in gene¬
ral; nor difcovered, that in vegetables, as well as ani¬
mals, the concourfe of male and female organs was
neceifary. They knew the art of grafting, but were
ignorant of the caufe uniting the graft with the
flock. They had obferved, that the leaves and flowers
of certain- plants were thrown into motion on being-
touched, or by the influence of the fun’s rays; but
they negledled to inveffigate the caufe.

Camerarius, who flourifhed towards the end of the
Jixteenth century, was the firfl who proved the exig¬
ence of the fexes in plants, by obfervation and experi¬
ment. At the commencement of the feventeenth
century, Geoffrey and Vaillant confirmed the truth of
the difeovery by their refearches ; but they had few
partizans, till the epoch when Linnceus made it the
bafis of his ingenious fyflem. Malpighi , Grew, Hales,
Bonnet, Duhamel , Spallanzani , Desfontaines, Decan -
dolle, Prieftley , Senebier , and Jngenhouz , are the au¬
thors to whom we are particularly indebted for the
invefiigation of the anatomy and phyfiology of vegeta¬
ble nature.

Having terminated his introductory remarks with
a general view of the external parts of vegetables, M.
Mirbel treats, in his firfl book? of the elementary or¬
gans: thefe, as before obferved, conflituted the fub-
j'efit of the Memoir already noticed by us. The fe-

Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and Phyjiology . S'23

cond book treats of the fluids* and other fubftances
contained and elaborated in plants.

In book 3, are confldered the organs contributing to
the developement and prefervation of the individual*
together with the functions performed by them.

Book 4 treats of the organs neceffary to the repro-
duftion of the fpecies. The fecundation of vegeta¬
bles is one of the molt interefting of Nature’s opera¬
tions. The analogy between animals and plants is in
no refpeft more (Inking than in this procefs. To
enfure the execution of her plan, Nature has multi-
plied the means. The dull of the ftamens is of extreme
lightnefs ; the lead wind wafts it to a diftance: we
may obferve it rife like a tranfparent fog over the
fields of corn, It efcapes in like manner from the
for efts, and falls over cities or entire countries, and has
been miftaken for a (bower of fulphur. In fuch cir-
cumftances, it is fcarcely poffible but fome grains
fnould reach each piftilor female organ. Beftdes, the her¬
maphrodite (late is as common amongft plants as it is
rare in animals ; and this union of male and female or¬
gans contributes to enfare the fecundation of the
latter.

it has been obferved, that when the male and fe¬
male parts were of nearly an equal length, the flower
is indifferently ftrait, bent, or horizontal; that when the
fly 1 e is fhorter than the ftamens, the flower is ere£t ;
that when it is longer, the flower is bent : by.thefe
means, the pollen, in falling from the anther, always
meets the ftigma. However, there are exceptions to
this: in fome ere ft flowers the ftamens are fenfibjy
(hotter than the ftyle ; and the reverfe takes place in
fome pendant flowers: but before the emiffion of the
pollen, it often happens that the former incline them-
felves towards the earth, and the latter become ereft: ;
and what proves the relation of thefe movements to
the abt of fecundation, is, that when this is completed,
the flowers recover their original pofition.

Well

' 324 M-irbe!.0?i Vegetable Anatomy and 'Phyfiology.

Well marked movements are obferved alfo in- the
ftamens and the piftil. Sometimes, at the inftant even
that the flower blows, the ftamens, compreffed till this
time by the perianth, forcibly erefl themfelves ; and
at the fame inftant the anther opens and eje£is the
pollen. At other times, thefe organs, endued with
aftoni filing irritability, bend themfeives towards the
piftil, and touch the ftigma with their anther; or elfe
the nbre of the ftamen remains fixed, and the anther,
turning as cm a pivot, approaches the ftigma* In cer¬
tain fpecies, the ftamens contract one after another;
in others, they contract all together. Thefe movements
feldomer take place in the female organs ; it feems,
as Desfoniaine s ingenioufly obferves, that in plants*
as well as animals, Nature had made the males the ag«
greftprs. Some ftigmata, alfo, which confifts of two
layers, are obferved to open before fecundation, and
afterwards to (hut again.

When the fex.es are feparated on the fame indivi¬
dual plant, the male flow7 ers expand before the female,
or at the fame time: the anthers emit their pollen
when the piftils are in a fit ftate to receive it. In
thofe plants which are named by botanifts monokal ,
It is rare that the female flowers are not placed below
the male flowers.

But when a fpecies is dioical , that is, when the
male and female flowers are found on different plants,
other means are reejuifite to enfure fecundation. It
maybe remarked, firft* that the fame country always
'produces both male and female, and that the flower¬
ing of each takes place at the fame period: a favour¬
able wind, therefore, enfures the impregnation of one
by the other. The female, too, produces equally
males and females; fo that if an impregnated female
be abandoned to herfeff, fhe foon furrounds herfejf
with her offspring, and thus enfures the future propa¬
gation of the fpecies.

( To be continued J

miscellaneous*

Jxix

§ 28. Comparative Experiments and Obfervations on Myrtle
Wax , Bees’ Wax, Spermaceti, Adlpocirt, and the cryjlalline
Matter of biliary Calculi . By Dr. Bollock.

(From Nicholfon’s Journal, March 1803.)

A great number of plants, as the croton febiferum, the to -
mex febifera of Loureiro, the poplar, the alder, the pine, and
feverai labiated plants, afford a concrete inflammable matter
by deco&ion, more or lefs refembling tallow or wax; that is
to fay, a fixed oil faturated with oxygen. The light matter
which is called the down of fruits, which filvers the furface of
plums and other Hone fruits, is wax, as Mr. Proujl has
fhewn : but the tree which prefents this fubftance in the
greatell abundance is the myrica cerifera, or wax tree, of
Louifiana. It is of the fize of a cherry tree, having the ap¬
pearance of the myrtle, and bearing a grain of the fize of co¬
riander feed. Thefe grains, of a grey alh colour, contain a
fmall round hard kernel, which is covered with a Ihining
wax, that may be obtained by boiling the grains in water. — *
This wax is harder and more friable than bees’ wax, and the
inhabitants make both candies and foap of it. It has been
faid, alfo, that the liquor in which the grains have been boil¬
ed, and from whence the wax is procured, when evaporated
to the confillence of an extract, checks the mol obflinate
dyfenteries. This property appears to be owing to a quantity
of gallic acid which the berries contain, in additipn to the
wax.

The natural hiftory of this fubfiance has been given by M.
Cadet , of Paris, in the Annales de Chimie , No. 131, with
many of its chemical characters ; hut as the latter have been
more minutely handled by .Dr. Boftock, of Liverpool, in the
memoir mentioned above, we {hall confine ourfeives to his
defeription of its properties.

The colour of the myrtle wax, Dr. Boftock obferves, is a
pale green. Its fpecific gravity is about 1,0150, water being
1,0000, and white bees’ wax 96QO. It fufes at a temperature
of 109°; by fufficiently increafing the heat, it burns with a
vol. x. Ff peculiarly

IXX MISCELLANEOUS.

peculiarly clear white flame, produces little fmoke, and,
during the combuftion, emits an agreeable aromatic odour.

With regard to its habitudes with the different re-agents,
water has no afifion on it, nor has cold alcohol. Hot alcohol
diffolves it fparingly, but again depofits it on cooling, or by
the addition of water.

Cold fulphuric aether diffolves but little of it, but adls upon
it rapidly when boiling, and feems to take up about f of its
own weight. The depofit by evaporation fomewhat refem-
b!es fpermaceti. Oil of turpentine diffolves it fparingly when
hot, and the whole is not depofited on cooling.

Liquid cauflic potafli renders it colourlefs by boiling, and
forms a foap with a fin all part, which being decomposed by
an acid affords the wax nearly unchanged. Pure ammonia
adfs nearly as potafli, but more feebly. The three mineral
acids adf upon it, though not with any notable force.

Alluding to his experiments. Dr. Bollock obferves, they
e enable us, at leaff with a eonfiderable degree of probability,
to affign the place which the vegetable myrtle wax muff hold in
a natural arrangement of chemical fubftances. Its inflamma¬
bility, fufibility, its infolubility in water, and the adfion which
takes place between it and the alkalis, point out its affinity
to tile fixed oils, while its texture and confidence, and more
particularly its habitudes with alcohol and ether, indicate a
refembiance to the refins. We may therefore confider the
myrtle wax as a fixed vegetable oil, rendered concrete by the
addition of a; quantity of oxigen : it feems to hold the fame
relation to the fixed that refins do to the effential oils of ve¬
getables.

f But though the myrtle wax be itfelf of vegetable origin,
there are fome animal fubftances which more nearly refera¬
ble it in its chemical properties than any produdf of the vege¬
table kingdom. The principal of thefe is the wax elaborated
by the bee, to which the peculiar fubffance now under confi-
deration bears a ftrong refembiance, both in its phyfical and
chemical properties. Myrtle wax, alfo, in many particulars,
refembles fpermaceti: the fubffance called adipocire, produced
by the afifion of nitric acid upon the mufcular fibre ; and the

cryffalline

MISCELLANEOUS,

Ixxi

Cry ft all in e matter of biliary calculi/ — Dr. Bollock then in-
ftitutes a comparifon between myrtle wax and each of thole
fubftances.

* Bees ’ Wax. — This fubftance, in its phyfical properties,
differs from myrtle wax in being more unbtuous, and polfelf-
ing a greater degree of tenacity : its colour and ftnell are alfo
different. Bees’ wax is likewife conftderably lefsfuftble: Dr.
Pearfon and Mr. Nicholfon fix its melting point at 142°;
whereas Mr. Fourcroy places it lower in the fcale, at 117°.
On this fuhjebl the re ful ts of my experiments coincide exact¬
ly with thole of the Englilh chemifts. There is alfo a differ-
fence of opinion among chemifts refpebling tlie ablion which
takes place between this fubftartce and alcohol: Fourcroy,
Chaptal, and Nicholfon, aftfert that it is infoluble in this fluid,
while Pearfon maintains the contrary: on this queftion my
experience agrees with that of Dr. Pearfon. The proportion
of bees’ wax which the alcohol is capable of dilfolving, feems,
however, to be fomewhat lefs than that of the myrtle wax ;
as, in the former cafe, the greateft part of the wax feparates
as the fluid cools ; while the remainder may be precipitated
by the addition of water. Bees’ wax is fparingly diffolved by
boiling ether; lefs readily, and in confiderably lefs proportion,
than the myrtle wax : this fluid, when heated, feems only to
take up about l-20th of its weight of bees’ wax. Cauftic pot-
alb exhibits the fame phenomena with bees’ wax as with the
product of the myrica cerifera: it was converted into the fa-
ponaceous fiate, and became foluhle in warm water. „ It ap¬
peared, however, that the abtion was lefs violent, and the
change lefs complete, than in the former cale. Ammoniac,
when boiling, readily forms with bees’ wax an emulfion, in
forne refpecls refembling that produced by the fame fubftance
with the myrtle wax. As the mixture cools, the greateft
•part of the wax riles to the furface in a floceulent form. It
appears to have fo far contracted a union with the alkali as
to have its texture and odour deftroyed, and its fulibility and
inflammabilitv diminiftied ; vet it is little, if at all, foluhle jn
water.

Ff 2

f Spermaceti ,

MISCELLANEOUS.

* Spermaceti. — One property of this fubftance, which obvk
oufly diftinguifhes it from thofe already deferibed, is the cryf-
talline texture which it conflantly affumes. It is more full-*
ble than either of the fubflances which we have examined £
but refpe&ing the precife temperature at which it becomes
liquid., there is a considerable difference of opinion. Four-
croy hates it to be at the 98th degree, or a little lower. Mr.
Nicholfon fuppofes it to be at the 1 33d degree. I have
found the melting point of Spermaceti to be uniformly US
degrees ; there may, perhaps, be a real difference in the fpe-
cimens that have been employed. Like the two kinds of
wax, it is foluble in alcohol, though very fparingly : accord^
ing to my experiments, it required a quantity of boiling alco¬
hol equal to 150 times the weight of the fpermaceti to dii-
folveit; a proportion which nearly coincides with the efti-
mate of Fourcroy : the whole is precipitated as the fluid
cools. It is rapidly diffolved by warm ether; by cooling, it
is precipitated fo plentifully as, in appearance, to convert the
whole into a folid cryflallized mafs. Spermaceti is alfo dif¬
folved with great facility by oil of turpentine gently heated,
but is depofited from it as it cools. It unites very readily
with caultic. polafh, and the compound is completely folu«
ble in warm water. Potafh feems to exercife upon fperma¬
ceti a more powerful adlion than upon either the myrtle or
the bees’ wax. Ammoniac, at the ufual temperature of the
atmofphere, does not appear to exercife any action upon fper¬
maceti, but when boiling it unites with it readily, and forma
ail emulfion, which is not decomposed by the cooling of the
mixture, or by the addition of water ; but the fpermaceti is
infiantly precipitated by the addition of an acid. No im*
portant phenomena refult from the adtion of the mineral acids
upon fpermaceti.

f Adipocirc. — I procured a quantity of this fubftance by di»
gelling diluted nitric acid upon the mu fcular fibre : it was
afterwards wallied in warm water, in order to feparate any
portion of adhering acid. The matter, thus purified, was of
a light-yellow colour, of about the confiftence of tallow, and
of a homogeneous texture, Refpeeling the temperature at

which:

klSCEtLANEOUS.

which it is fufed, we meet with the fame uncertainty as in the
former cafes. Fourcroy in one of his effays fixes its melting
point at the 98th degree : the fame author in another place
Hates it to be the 1 10th, while Mr. Niehoifon fuppofes it to
be as high as the 127 th. In Dr. llees’s Cyclop, it is Hated
that this fubHance melts at 7 degrees below fpermaceti, which?
according to my ellimate, would be the ]05th degree. In
my own experience upon this fubjebl it became liquid at the
92d degree. Alcohol, at the ordinary temperature of the at-
mofphere, dilTolves it only in fmali quantity ; but by the al-
ffflance of a gentle heat it adls upon it with rapidity. Four-
eroy Hates that this fluid when boiling dilTolves about its own
weight of adipocire, one-fourth or one-fifth of which is re¬
tained after the fluid cools. The fame chemiii, in another
memoir, alTerts that one ounce of alcohol will difiolve twelve
drams of this lubftance. There may probably be feme differs
ence in the chemical nature of adipocire, according to the
procefs by which it is obtained,* or the rapidity of its produc¬
tion: in my experiments, the quantity which the alcohol was
capable of diflblving, though very conflderable, was certainly
lei’s than that Hated by Fourcroy. The greater part is depo¬
sited as the fluid cools, and the remainder may be precipitated
by water. The adipocire after this operation is rendered nearly
white, while the alcohol affumes a deep-yellow tinge. Ether
dilTolves it fparingly when unaflifted by heat: when boiling,
it takes up about one-fourth of its own weight ; this is, for the
molt part, feparated by the cooling of the fluid. The adipocire
isdepoflted nearly white, while the ether acquires ayellowifti-
green colour. The cauftic alkalis, both fixed and volatile, ex¬
ert upon this fubftance the fame kind of action which we have
defended in tb£ former inftances ; when heated in contact
with it, they form a faponaceous emulfion of a reddifh-brown
colour, which is mifcible with water without decompofition.
The volatile alkali dilTolves it. fparingly, without the aft iff an ce
of heat; a circumftance in which the adipocire differs both
from any of the fuhftances which we have hitherto examin¬
ed, and alio from the cryftaliine matter of biliary calculi.
Upon the whole, the adipocire is more fufible, more inflam¬
mable.

)

ixxlv Miscellaneous.

t 1 \

mable, and more eafily abled upon by the different re-agents
than any fubftance which has paffed under our review.

* Cryflalline Matter of biliary Calculi. — It now only re¬
mained to perform fome comparative experiments with the
cry ft al line matter of biliary calculi, and I was fortunately in
polfellion of two of thefe bodies, which were prefented to me
by Dr. Gerard of this place. The calculi were fimilar in
their texture and appearance, and of nearly the fame fize.
The one which I examined was of an irregular polyhedral
figure, with its edges and angles blunted : it was fomewhat
brittle, and of an ochry brown colour. Its fpecific gravity
was about ,9000: it weighed 16 grains. When broken, and
viewed through a microfcope, it was found to confift of an
internal nucleus, formed of radii converging to a centre, and
of an external cruft, compofed of four or five thin ftrata. It
evidently confiffed of two diflinbl fubffanecs ; one white,
fparkling, and of a cry flail ine texture, by which its general
flrublure was determined ; the other, a number of dark-
coloured particles, irregularly difper fed through the interftices
of the former. I therefore concluded it to be that kind of
calculus which Fourcroy calls Cyflic-Adipobileous; compofed
of the peculiar cryftallized matter, and of particles of infpii—
fated bile, mixed together in different proportions; The
cryflalline matter is fufible and inflammable, but the precile
decree at which it melts has not been afeertained: it is not
even foftened by the heat of boiling water. Alcohol in the
cold has no action upon it; but when boiling it diffolves it
with facility. Fourcroy ftates, that one part of this fub~
fiance is taken up by nineteen parts of the fluid. This, how-
ever, was not the cafe with the calculus which I examined :
in th is inftance the alcohol certainly did not diffolve more
than one-thirtieth of its weight of the cryflalline matter. As
the fluid cools, the fubilance is depolited in the form of white,
fhining fpiculae, intermixed with thin plates. Ether diffolves
it flowly in the cold, but more readily when heated: the
greatefl part is depoflted as the fluid cools, and the refl may
be precipitated by water. If the ether be fuffered to evapo¬
rate flowly at the ordinary temperature of the atmofphere, the

matter

MISCELLANEOUS.

IxXY

matter which it held in folution will be depofited on the fades
of the glafs, in the form of beautiful radiated crvftals. Oil of
turpentine adls upon this matter with difficulty; it appears*
however, when digelled with it for fome time at the boiling
heat, to diffolve it in a fmall degree. It is aCled upon by
cauffic potafh when boiling, and the refult of their union
appears to be of the fame nature with that defcribed in the
former inflances. A fmall quantity is diffolved by the potafh,
and may be precipitated by an acid ; while another part is
converted into a fub fiance foluble in water, but infoluble in
alcohol : it may be precipitated from the water by an acid.
Ammoniac, even when boiling, feems to pofFefs little or no
attraction for this crvftalline matter.

c The refults of feveral experiments oblige me to differ from
Dr. Powel, refpeCting the effect of the fixed alkalis upon this
peculiar fubftance ; he conceives that it is not acted upon by
them : the opinion wrhich I have adopted is, however, fup-
ported by the authority of Fourcroy. Nitric acid, more par¬
ticularly when affiled by heat, a6ls readily upon the cryftai-
line matter: during the procefs there is a difengagement of
nitrous gas. A fmall quantity remains diffolved in the fluid,
and may be precipitated from it by potafh. The great eft
part, however, rifes to the furface as the fluid cools, in the
form of drops of oil, which gradually grow concrete : the
cryflalline texture is deflroyed, and its confidence refembles
that of a vegetable refin. Water does not diifolve this pe¬
culiar matter, but it feems to render it fomewhat more brittle

and friable. Alcohol, aflifted by a gentle heat, diffolved it ;
it was precipitable from the folution by water in the form of
a grey powder. Ether, at the temperature of the atmofphere,
diffolved it rapidly : water precipitated it from the ether in
the form of drops of oil. When the fluid was evaporated,
it was depofited, without exhibiting any marks of a cryflal-
line flrueture. Cauftic potafh a6led upon it without the af~
fl fiance of heat ; when boiling, it diffolved it with more fa>»
cility : the fluid acquired a reddifh-br own hue. It was not
precipitated by water; but the fulphuric acid feparatcd it in
the form of a grey powder. The action of ammoniac was

nearly

■Ixxvi . MISCELLANEOUS*

nearly ffmilar, though., as I conceived, fomewhat more pow¬
erful than that of the fixed alkalis. The folution was alfo of
a reddiili-brown colour ; but the precipitate by fulphuric acid
was of a bright yellow. It appears, therefore, that the mat¬
ter of biliary calculi has its properties materially changed by
the operation of the nitric acid. It entirely deftroys its cry-
ffaliine tendency, and renders it more foluble in ether and in
the alkalis. It has been fuppofed that by this procefs it be¬
comes more affimilated to the adipo-refin of the bile, but it
ftiil differs from it in not polfe fling any degree of fallibility
in water.

* Thefe remarks upon the cryftalline matter of biliary cal¬
culi fhew that there are feveral important cireumftances in
which it differs both from fpermaeeti and from adipocire, to
both of which it has been compared. Upon the whole,
though the five fubfcanees which have palled under our re¬
view poffefs certain properties in common, and have a de¬
gree of fimilarity in their external appearance, yet they differ
materially in their chemical nature. There is, indeed, reafor*
to conjecture that they are all eompofed of the fame ele¬
ments, combined together in different proportions and with
different degrees of attraction.

* Lav-oifier firft made us acquainted with the chemical
eompofition of oil, and proved that it confiits of hydrogene
and carbone. This great philofopher alfo demonftrated that
wax differs from oil, in containing a greater proportion of
carbone: there is every reafon to fuppofe that a quantity of
oxygene likewife enters into its eompofition. It may be con¬
jectured, that the five fubftances which have paffed under
our review differ from each other in the proportion of oxy¬
gene, hydrogene, and carbone; hut the prelent ftate of our
knowledge will not enable us to determine how far the indi¬
vidual properties will be affected by the different proportions.
It had been conjectured, that an addition of carbone renders
<i body lefs fufible, and at the fame time more foluble in al¬
cohol ; but we find, from the experiments recited above,
that adipocire, which is the moft fufible, is likewife the mo ft
foluble in alcohol; Probably a good deal may depend, in

thefe i

MISCELLANEOUS,

Ixxvii

thefe cafes', upon the ftate of the combination of the ingre¬
dients, as well as upon their proportions/

§ 20. Chemical Examination of the Truffle. Lycoperdon
Tuber : Lin. By Cit. Bouillon- Lagrange.

(Ann. da Chym., No. 137.)

It does not appear that the antients were acquainted with
our truffle, for they defcribe their’s as of a reddiih colour,
and fmooth furface ; a fpecies which is hill common in Italy,
and called the wild truffle, but of which no ufe is made.
The Romans, however, received fometimes a white truffle
from Africa, which they highly efteemed for its odour; this
they called the Lybian truffle : the Greeks, who were very
imperfedlly acquainted with the productions of Africa, gave
it the name of mify-cyrenaic.

Avicenna ranked with the belt truffles thofe which are of
a whitifh colour within, or, which is a better tranflation of
the term he employs, of a fandy colour; in allufion to the
greyifh fund which was in ufe in his time. Pliny fays, but
with little precifion, that the truffles of Lybia were more
flefhy than others. Theophraflus expreiTes himfelf better,
in faying that their flefli, or fUb dance, was of an agreeable
odour, todidinguifh them from thofe of Greece, which were
indpid. As the truffles of Lybia grew in the burning fands
of that region, they were called fand-truffles ; and Martial
makes allufion to them, when he defcribes the bed truffles as
canting cracks or ffllures in the furface of the earth.

It is the common opinion, that truffles which have been
once removed from their dtuation acquire no farther nou-
rifliment, though replaced in the fpot from wdience they
were taken; but if they are buffered to remain for a certain
time, they increafe in fize infenhbly ; their furface becomes
black and unequal, though they eonftantly preferve their
internal whitened: till this period they have very little tade
or fined. The greyifh matter, iituated in its folds or chan¬
nels, appears in the microfcope to corfflft of a tranf parent
parenchyma, compofed of veficles. In the middle of this
parenchyma one may obferve black, round points, feparated

VOL, x. G g from

Ixxvill MISCELLANEOUS,

from each other, which have all the appearance of feeds nou-
rifhed in this parenchyma, and to which they give the dark
colour obferved.

Truffles grow under the earth, and remain there the whole
term of their exigence : whatever be their age, they are firm,
flefhy, and plump. Their feeds, inclofed in the interior of
their fubftance, remain on the fame fpot to propagate the
fpecies, whilft the parent truffle decays around it.

Some truffles have neither vifible roots nor a radical bafe ;
others have a flefhy bafe, which ferves the purpofe of roots ;
and others again have fibrous roots, fometimes of confides
able length.

There are numerous varieties of the truffle ; the one here
particularly examined is the edible truffle, tuber ciharium ;
lycoperdon tuber , of Linnaeus. This is the only fpecies, the
furface of which is covered with fmall, nearly prifmatic,
eminences ; it has neither apparent roots nor a radical bafe i
its flefli is very firm, and it does not change its fhape in
drying.

•M. Bulliard confiders the edible truffle as a viviparous
vegetable ; and that they are not, properly fpeaking, grains
or feeds which wre fee in the cells of the flefhy fubffance,
but fmall truffles already formed, as they have the fame form
and colour with that which gave them birth ; that they have,
like it, their furface covered with little pointed eminences ;
that, in arriving at their complete ffze, they do not develop©
themfelves like feeds, but grow by a fimple extenfion of
parts, as a foetus does. By means of the minute points
which cover the furface, and which become prolonged into
fhort threads or fibres, performing the office of fo many um¬
bilical cords, they draw from the parent truffle the juices ne~
ceffary for their growth. By thefe fibres, alfo, they take
root in the earth, when the parent truffle is deffroyed. Thefe
young truffles, when they have attained the bulk of a pea,
ftill vifibly preferve thole fibres, which only difappear by age,

The edible truffle is found efpecially in forefts of oak and
cbefnut trees. It is commonly buried three or four inches
beneath the furface of the earth ; fometimes at a depth of

fifteen

MISCELLANEOUS.

lx six

fifteen inches ; and fometimes it lies on a level with the fur-
face. From the penetrating odour it exhales, it is ufual to
employ fmail dogs, trained for the purpofe, in order to dif-
cover the fituation where it grows. They are difeovered alfo
by the fiffures obfefVable in the earth over them, and like-
wife by means of a winged infebl which ufually frequents the
neighbourhood of its growth. This fpecies of truffle varies
much in its fize ; however, although it is heavy in proportion
to its bulk, it is feldom that its weight exceeds feven or eight
ounces. A pound weight is conlidered as extraordinary,
though Haller, on the authority of Brefs and Keiller, men¬
tions fome of the enormous weight of fourteen pounds.

After thefe remarks on the natural hiftory of the truffle,
M. Bouillon- La grange proceeds to its chemical analyiis 2
our limits confine us to the general refults only.

1. The odour and flavour of the truffle are exceedingly
volatile, fince they are found in the water which has been
diflilled from it.

2. It affords no frecula like other vegetables ; for the mat¬
ter obtained by the ufual proceffes does not form gluten with
water, and dilTolves very lparingly in this fluid : cauflic al¬
kalis effedl no change on it; while the nitric acid converts
it into a reddifh-coloured jelly.

3. In the dried ftate, it gives out ammoniac on the addi¬
tion of cauflic potafh, and Hill more copioully when it begins
to putrefy.

4. Diflilled without addition, it gives out an acid liquor, a
black oil, carbonate of ammoniac, carbonic acid gas, and
carbonated hydrogen gas. — The refidue contains magnefia,
phofphate of lime, iron, and filex.

o. Albumen may be feparated from it, by macerating it in
water at 30° R.

6. By means of nitric acid are obtained nitrous gas, car¬
bonic acid, azotic gas ; the oxalic, malic, and pruffic acids ;
a fatty matter; and, laflly, the hitter principle of Welter.

7. When allowed to ferment with the addition of fugar,
carbonic acid and alcohol are produced.

G g 2 8. Laflly,

ixxx

MISCELLANEOUS.

8. Laftly, from the chemical properties now announced,
it would feern that truffles ought to be diftinguifhed from ve¬
getables, and fhould form a particular clafs under the deno¬
mination of animalizcd vegetables .

§ 30. On the Gum Kino : by M. Vauquelin.

(Ann. de Chym., No. 138.)

The name ufually given to this fubftance accords not at ail
with its real nature ; and it would be difficult to conceive
why the name of gum fhould have been bellowed on it, were
it not almoll always the cafe that things are named before
their nature is known 5 for it has neither the phylical nor the
chemical properties of a gum.

We have not at prefent any exa6! knowledge of the coun¬
try, nor the fpecies ©f tree, that produce the gum kino : the
Englilh firft brought it into Europe, and introduced it into
commerce, by announcing its medicinal properties. It is
commonly known by the denomination of kino, or gum-re lin
of Gambia : it has been called the true gum Senegal by Dr.
Oldfield, who made it known to the celebrated Fotbergill.
However, we find, in the Medical Observations and Inqui¬
ries, that the gum kino is called by the inhabitants of the
country where it is produced pau de Jangiie, and that it is
brought to us from Africa. It is employed in medicine as an
aftringent and tonic in weaknefs of ftomach, dyfenteries,
obflinate diarrhoeas, &c.

Gum kino is of a colour that appears black when viewed in
the mafs, but it is in reality of a reddiffi-brown colour; in
tafte it is bitter and aftringent : it has fcarcely any odour.
It is friable, and eafily reduced to powder ; its fradlure is
fmooth and g] ally : it foftens in a fmall degree by the heat
of the hand.

Subjected to the aciion of lire, it liquefies and fwells up
conliderably : by diltillation it fur nifties, at firft, a clear li¬
quor, but which becomes coloured in a few inftants : there
afterwards paffes over a nearly wdiite oil, which becomes co¬
loured in the progrefs of the operation, and acquires a greater
fpecific gravity than the aqueous part of the pro duff.

Gum

MISCELLANEOUS.

IXXXL

Gum kino is Sparingly foluble in cold wafer, but largely in
hot; a fmall portion, however, is found to be infoluble in
this menftriTum. The folution is (lightly acid, as' proved by
the tinbiu re of turnfol. When the folution is made with hot
water, it becomes turbid as it cools, limilar to a deeobtion of
the cinchona, and depolits a reddilh-brown fediment.

Mixed with a folution of glue, a confiderable rofe-coloured
eoagulum is formed. Although this effedl feems to announce
the prefence of tannin in gum kino, it does not form a black
precipitate with folutions of iron, but, on the contrary, a
fine dark green precipitate, which does not f bubbly change
on being expofed to the air. This property of gum kino is
common to it with the infufions of cinchona and of rhubarb;
whence it feems probable that thefe three (ubftanees contain
a principle of the fame nature. This principle, whatever it
be, is very deftrubfible ; for, if on the precipitate which it
forms with iron a little of the oxygenated muriatic acid be
thrown, it lofes its colour, is diffoived, and does not re-appear
on the addition of an alkaline carbonate. Nothing remains
but a red oxide of iron.

Hot alcohol diffolves gum kino very well; the folution is
of a deep brown colour : it is rendered (lightly turbid by wa¬
ter, but gives no precipitate. The portion which is infoluble
in alcohol, and which amounts to about one-fourth, appears
to be of a gummy nature, but differs from other gums in.
being of a red colour, not feparable by alcohol.

Gum kino is more fparingly foluble in water (lightly acidu¬
lated with the fid ph uric acid, for the admixture of an alkali
occafions no precipitate in the folution. In this rclpebt it
differs from the refmous part of the cinchona, which is much
more foluble in water that is acidulated than in pure water,
and is precipitated from it by the alkaline carbonates.

As from the trials already mentioned, as well as a number
of other experiments with the different re-agents, gum kino
appears to poffefs properties analogous to thofe of tannin, Mf
Vauquelin imagined, that, like this, it was capable of con¬
verting (kin into leather ; and on making the experiment he
found it to fucceed perfectly.

Upon

Ixxxii

MISCELLANEOUS;

Upon the whole it appears, therefore, that gum kind is
formed principally of tannin, and is neither, as fome have
fuppofed, a gum properly fo called, nor a gum-relin, as
others have thought. It might, of courfe, if it could be
procured in greater quantity and at a cheap rate, be employ¬
ed for the fame purpofes as other aftringent vegetables. A
flight difference, however, exifts between its tannin and that
contained in galls and oak-bark, as the latter precipitates iron
of a dark blue, whilfl the folution of gum kino occafions a
green precipitate. It refembles much more that which is
contained in the cinchona and rhubarb; for the infufion of
thefe fublfances aifo precipitates iron of a green colour.

§31. On the Febrifuge Principle of the Cinchona. By Git «

Seguin, of Paris.

Th is author, in a Memoir lately publifhed in the Bulletin
dcs Sciences , No. 77> endeavours to prove, that the febrifuge
principle of the Peruvian bark refides in the gelatine, which in
its pure Hate, and whencefoever obtained, poffeifesj he thinks,
the entire virtues of the various fpecies of cinchona, and free
from many difadvantages which attend the latter.

Peruvian bark, when it contains the febrifuge principle
(which Mo Seguin afferts that a large proportion of the bark
found in the {hops does not), precipitates a folution of tan,
but forms no precipitate with the folutions of gelatine or of
fulphate of iron. When cinchona has not thefe characters,
it is a proof, he fays, that it is mixed with lbmething elfe,
or that it does not contain the febrifuge principle.

The experiments of the author on the febrifuge principle of
ihe cinchona having convinced him that molt of the bark
found in the fhops is injurious, or at belt inefficacious, either
from being fpoiled by keeping, adulterated by mixture, or
deprived in fome way of the febrifuge principle; he endea¬
voured to obtain this principle in an uniform ltate, more effi»
cacious and certain in its effebfs, more capable of affimilation
with our fyftein, and at the fame time fo (Economical, that
there ffiould be no temptation to adulterate it.

(

MISCELLANEOUS. IxxxlU

To attain this important object the author in his Memoir
enquires— —what is the true caufe of fevers, and their effedls;
what is the nature of the febrifuge principle of the cinchona,
and what its acfiion in the fyftem ? He fubjetfied a great
number of chemical and medicinal fuhftances to the atfiion
of the re-agents pointed out above, and afterwards endea¬
voured to cure fevers by fuch as he found gave proofs of their
containing gelatine. He has given an account of 37 cafes,
in which, he fays, he performed a cure with gelatine, and
that under the immediate infpection of fome refpe&able phy-
ficians. A committee has been fince appointed, confiding of
Monfrs. Portal, Deffeffarts, Hallo, Fourcroy, Berthollet, and
Deyeusc, to examine and report on the fubjedt. Already, it
is faid, a great number of patients have been cured by the
means now pointed out.

The following is the mode of preparing and exhibiting
gelatine for the purpofes mentioned :

Take of the fined; glue (ifinglafs ?) 3lb.
water . . . . .. 15lb.

diffolve and clarify with whites of eggs; then add of fugar
3lb. The whole to be then evaporated over a flow fire till
reduced to 9lb., and call into a mould to form tablets or lo¬
zenges. On the commencement of the cold fit, from eight
to twelve drachms are to be taken, in three dofes, at intervals
often minutes; and afterwards, from an ounce and a half to
two ounces every five or fix hours during the difeafe.

If the remedy now propofed be as efficacious as it is agree¬
able to the palate, the difcoverer will merit the thanks of a
numerous clafs of invalids; but we fir o ugly fufpect a fallacy
fomewhere, which a little time probably will bring to light.
The theory adduced in fupport of the pra&ice deferves no
conlideration.

§ 32. On ftony Concretions coughed up from the Lungs .
Baron Carendefftz has lately analyzed fome pulmonary
calculi, coughed up by a patient in the New York Hofpital:
the refult of his analyfis he communicated to the Phyfical
Society of that place.

The

jtxxxiv

MISCELLANEOUS.

The patient being a ffane-cutter by trade, it was fuppofed
that the concretions were formed by the duft inhaled while
at work in fh aping quarry Hones ; bat there appeared no
foundation for this fuppofition. Being fubjected to the dif¬
ferent re-agents for determining their competition, they were
found to be formed of phofphate of lime, cemented by a
fmall portion of animal gluten. f Their formation/ the au¬
thor obferves, e is owing, probably, to the great quantity of
this calcareous fait carried into the fyftem, with both vege¬
table and animal food. In order to keep it diffolved in the
fluids, the contention ought to be fupplied with a furplufage
of phofphoric acid : when there is a deficiency of this phof-
p boric menftruum, thefe concretions are formed in different
parts of the body.. Hence, when. there is no excefs of phot-
phone acid in the blood and fecretions, we fo often find con¬
cretions fimilar to thefe in the kidneys, in the bladder, bron¬
chia;, lungs, and in other places.

£ There is every re alb n to believe, both from the probability
of the thing, and from chemical, experiments, that fucb con¬
cretions as thefe would not be formed if there exifted the re-
quifite fuperabundance of . phofphoric acid; for if this was
preterit in fufficient quantity, it would foften, diflblve, and
hold in folution, the neutral earthy fait in all cafes, after the
fame manner that the great quantity of it in healthy urine is
kept diffolved and fufpended.

c The oxalic and fulphurie acids feem to have a powerful
agency in totally loofening the compages of bones, and of dif-
pofiiig them to be diffolved in water; while the other acids,
of whatever kind, though they may appear to diffolve them,
do no more, in fact, than feparate the particles which, inftead
or undergoing folution, are precipitated in form of a white
and granulated powder.

4 All thefe fa 6is, which I have feen and derived from my
own experience, in fubmitting thefe concretions to the adlion
of different acids, and all the others which I have gathered
from experiments made on calculi of the kidneys and bladder,/
convince me that moll reliance is to be placed on the oxalic
and phofphoric acids for deflroying thefe terrible concretions;

while

MISCELLANEOUS.

lx XXV

while the nitric and muriatic acids, recommended by MM.
Foureroy and Vauquelin, do not acft fo powerfully upon thefe
calculi, are more difagreeable to the tafte, and more ftimu-
Jant upon the living parts, without having a proportional ac¬
tion upon the {tones. On the other hand, conii dering that
the oxalic and phofphoric acids may be exhibited in greater
quantities and higher concentration than the others, I think
them highly deferving the attention of phyftcians. 1. there¬
fore recommend them to their notice and trial, as promifing
to do much in the caule of humanity, both in the form ot
drinks and injections.’

| S3. Vaccine Inoculation a Security againft the Plague .

Dr. De Carro , of Vienna, in a letter to Dr. Jenner, men¬
tions fome fadts that lead to the idea of the vaccine dileafe
being preventive of plague. — M. La Font , a French phy-
fician, rehdent at Salonica, oblerved that vaccinated people
were not attacked by the plague. Another phytician at Con-
ftantinople, M. Auhan , communicated the following fa6ts on
the fubjebt to Dr. De Carro , and which, as far as they go,
ieem perfectly well authenticated.

f 1. Of fix thoufand vaccinated at Conftantinople, not one
has taken the plague. 2. Infants previoully vaccinated have
fucked, without injury, the milk of nurfes infebted with the
plague. 3. An Italian phytician. Dr. Valii, who went to
Conftantinople to ftudy the plague, was fo poffeffed of the
truth of the new difcovery, that, upon the foie fecurity of
having been vaccinated, he {hut hirnfelf up in a lazaretto,
and had various modes of contact with people having car¬
buncles and buboes, without any eftebl. 4. The fame phy-
fician infer ted into his own hand a mixture of variolous and
peftilentiai virus, and, having felt no effebt from that trial,
he meant, the following week, to infert peftilentiai virus
alone. 5. Dr. Auban bavins: been informed that in fome

villages near Conltantinople the cows were fubject to fome
eruptions on their udders, he, with feveral gentlemen of the
French embafly, went to thofe villages, and found the cow-
pox then existing. The report of the inhabitants was, that

VOL. X,

H h

they

Ixxxvi

MISCELLANEOUS.

they had never teen the plague, or the fm all -pox, among
them, though both thole difeafes made dreadful ravages in
the vicinity.’

§ 34. On the Origin of the Vaccine Virus .

Dr. Sacco , of Milan, has communicated to Dr. .Tenner
fome facfts which feem to efiablifh, in fome degree, the opi¬
nion, that the difeafe termed the greafe in horfes is the fource
of the vaccine virus. Thefe facfts are entitled to the more
attention, as Dr. S. was one of thofe who doubted the fa6t,
and oppofed it with confiderable warmth.

The circumflance which led to his change of opinion was
the following. One of his coach-horfes was affebfed with
the greafe : the coachman, who drefled the fores, had fe¬
deral puftules break out upon his hands, exhibiting the cha-
racferiftic marks of thofe derived from the udder of the cow.
A fi milar cafe occurred foon after on the fingers of another
coachman at Milan, and, with matter taken from thefe ul¬
cers, Dr. Sacco inoculated nine children and a cow. Three
of the children were infected, and had the difeafe exaclly in
the fame way as if it had been communicated from the cow.

With matter taken from thefe children other inoculations

)

were performed, and, at the time this account was tranfmit-
ted, it had reproduced itfelf corredfly a fourth time. Dr.
Sacto alio adds, that he has inoculated fix other children
with the matter of greafe , whish produced in two of them
puftules with all the genuine characters of the vaccine.

§ So. Extent of Vaccine Inoculation in the Small-pox Hof

€

From a report lately made by the Committee of the above
llofpital, it appears that 13,715 perfons have been inoculat¬
ed for the vaccine difeafe by the officers of the inftitution
fimce January 1 7 9Q. Of thefe, 2,500 have been lubjected
to the variolous inoculation, without fmall-pox being pro¬
duced in a fingle inftance : nor is it known that any one of
the whole has fince been attacked with the latter difeafe.
The variolous inoculation has been fo far fuperfeded by the

vaccine.

MISCELLANEOUS, IxXXVii

vaccine, that only ten perfons have been inoculated for
fmall-pox during the laft hx months.

§ 36. Danger and Inefficacy of large Dofes of Sublimate in

Gonorrhoea.

A method of treating gonorrhoea by large dofes of the
hy dr ar gyrus muriatus (eorrofive fublimate) was fome time
ago propofed, with high encomiums on its fafety and fuc~
cels. No lefs than a grain and a half of the fublimate was
directed to be taken, diffolved in half an ounce of alkohol,
repeating the dofe on the alternate evenings. We now
think jt our duty to Hate, that the New York Medical Repo-
fitory contains a communication on the fubjeci: from Dr.
J. S. Stringham, (hewing at once the violence and ineffi¬
cacy of this mode of cure. The night after taking the fourth
dofe of the fublimate, a profufe falivation came 00, with
violent retchings, griping pains in the bowels, and great
uneafmefs in the head and throat, attended with delirium.
The patient continued in this (ituation during the whole of
the night : the fame remedies were prefcribed as though he
had been poifoned by eorrofive fublimate. On the next day,
the violence of the (ymptoms was coniiderably abated, and
in about twenty-four hours afterwards they entirely difap-
peared. The gonorrhoea, however, continued precifely the
fame, and, in three weeks afterwards, was cured by the
common remedies.

§ 37. G ah a nifm .

M. Ritter , of Jena, the author of many of the early dis¬
coveries in galvanifm, has continued to profecute the fubjedl
by experiment : the following are the refults of his later ob-
fervation. It is well known that the electricity is pofitive at
one extremity of the galvanic pile, and negative at the other ;
and that it gradually diminifhes in intend ty between thefe
two extremes, fo as to be null or infenfible in the center of
the pile. According to M. Ritter , the a&ion of the politive
end of the pile difpofes metals to combine with oxygen, and

B h 2 tl^at

Ixxxviii

MISCELLANEOUS,

that of the negative with hydrogen. If the pofiti've pole be
armed with gold leaf, and the negative with a bit of char¬
coal, on forming a communication between thefe two fub-
Siances, the leaf of gold bums with a brilliant light, whilft
the charcoal remains unchanged ; but if the fubftances be
reverfed, the charcoal burns, and the gold is melted. If
the negative pole or extremity be brought into contact with
the fhining Surface of quicksilver, it leaves a trace different
from that produced by the pofitive end.

M. Ritter afferts, that all the effe6ls of the pile on the ani¬
mal body are reducible to expansions and contractions. All
the parts of the human body, he fays, affume an increafed
bulk by contaCI of the pofitive pole, and contraCf by that of
the negative : for inftance, the politive pole produces on the
tongue, after a few minutes, a flight elevation, whereas the
negative occasions a little depreilion. If the fame perfon
touch the two poles with the two hands wetted, the intenfity
of the pulfe is increafed in the hand in conlaCl with the po-
fitive end, while its Strength is diminished in the other. The
expanfion thus produced in the organs is attended with a fen»
Sation of heat; the contraction with a lenfe of cold. The
eye communicating with the pofitive pole fees objects red,
larger, and more diftinfft : in contact with the negative pole,
it lees them blue, fmaller, and more confufed. The tongue
receives from the pofitive pole an acid tafte ; from the nega¬
tive, an alkaline. The ear being in contact with the former,
all founds Seem more grave ; with the latter, more acute.—
In general, therefore, it would Seem, that the two poles of
the pile produce opposite effects,

| 38, - Galvanic Experiments, tending to prove that the Ox *
ide which forms on the Surface of the metallic Difcs of the
Pile does not entirely dejtroy its Action, as has been fup -
pofed ; on the contrary, that it becomes a Subjlitute for the
Pieces of moijiened Cloth ufually interpofed, and preferves
the Action of the Pile for fifteen or twenty Days : by M,
La Grave. - -

Volt a j

MISCELLANEOUS*

lx xx be

Volta , Vaffali, Gautherot , and many other philofopbers,
have afferted, that the oxide adhering to the metallic dilcs
deftroys the adiion of the pile, and that it is abfoliUely necef-
fary to clean the plates thoroughly, in order to obtain a
prompt and powerful effedt. M. La Grave, however, re¬
marks, that he has fucceeded in forming a pile with difes,
which he had previoully oxidated fo much, that they had
totally loft their metallic appearance ; and that in this ftate
the pile afforded, after a little while, not only feniible effedits,
but ferved for the performance of galvanic experiments. In
conftrudling a pile in this way, he merely increafed the num¬
ber of the plates : what is lingular is, that the effedl in this
cafe appears to be the reverie of that where clean plates are
employed. In the latter cafe, the action of the pile com¬
mences immediately, but loon ceafes : in the former, the
adiion docs not lenlibly begin for four, live, or fix hours,
but continues for the fpace of fifteen, twenty, or five-and-
twenty days.

By employing the oxidated difes, M. La Grave has fuc¬
ceeded in forming a pile without any intermediate layers of
moiftened cloth or paper, and with nearly an equal effedt :
the oxide in this cafe appears to replace the pieces of cloth,
retaining the water as thefe do.

^ 3Q. EfftBs of G a kanifm in the Cure of Difeafes.

The application of fo powerful an agent as galvanifm to
the human body cannot but be productive of important ef-
fedts in the treatment of difeafes, either falutary or hurtful,
according as it is made with judgment or otherwife. M.
Vaffali- Eandi, Member of the Turin Academy of Sciences,
has adduced lbrne fadts on the fiibjedt deferving the notice of
• phyfieians ; accompanied, however, by pathological obfer-
vations, which will in general be deemed hypothetical, and
which we dial!, therefore, pals over. Amopgfl a variety of
cafes where galvanization was fuccefsfully performed, are the
following.

A lady, thirty years of age, after having buffered long from,
fevere hcadachs, loft the fight of her right eye. To all ap¬
pearance.

MISCELLANEOUS'.

pearance, the organ was as found as the other ; the affedtiot^
therefore, was attributed to a paralytic flate of the optic
nerve. The author conftrutted a pile of thirty pairs, about
the diameter of a crown-piece, and ufed gold wires as con-
dudtors. He eaufed the galvanic fluid to enter near the ex¬
ternal angle of the eye, and to pais out, fometimes at the
eyebrow, fometimes exactly over the ophthalmic branch of
nerve which paiTes through the orbital foramen, and fome¬
times at the inner angle of the eye. The operation was pain¬
ful, and. was attended with a confiderable flow of tears ; but
in the fpace of half an hour an evident improvement of the
light was perceived. The operation was repeated the fame
evening. The following day the patient could diftinguifli
the outlines of bodies ; and, by three days repetition of the
gaivanifm, her fight became tolerably diftincf.

A young* woman, twenty-feven years of age, of a melan¬
cholic temperament, after feveral flight attacks, was leized
with hemiplegia of the right fide, which affected particularly
the arm, face, and eye. The other fymptoms yielded to
blood-letting and the ordinary remedies; but the eye re¬
mained fixed, with a pain feated in its middles. Ten mi-
nutes* galvanization produced an abundant flow of tears from
the affected eye, and from the noftril on the fame fide,
which, from the firft attack, had continued dry: the pain
felt in the mufcles of the eye was alfo greatly alleviated.
The patient could turn the eye from fide to fide, but full
with great difficulty elevated or depreffed it; and fhe felt a
general fenfe of weight over the whole eye. A repetition of
the operation, the next day but one, reftored the free mo¬
tion of the organ, and removed every uneafy fenfation.

Befides the above, a cafe of hydrophobia is related, which
appeared to be cured by the fame application. A man was
bit in the thumb by a mad dog, and, a month afterwards,
came to eonfult M. Roffi, on account of the pains which he
felt in the arm, in the back, and particularly in the part
which had been bitten. The adtual cautery was applied to
the thumb, and removed the pain ; but, in a few days after,
the pains returned, accompanied with fymptoms of hydro¬
phobia.

MISCELL AN E0U3, f£€i

phobia. The patient could not hear the fight of water /with¬
out fhuddering ; an inflammation of the throat prevented^
his fwallowing even bread well chewed ; and he (hewed a
conftant difpofition to bite thole around him.

In this ftate he was conducted to M. Rojji , who, obferving
that he could not bear the fight of water, nor even of Alining:
bodies, prepared, in an adjoining room, a pile of fifty pair:*
of zinc and filver, with intermediate difcs of pafteboard
moiftened with a folution of muriate of ammonia. He then

• * / I . I

employed ftrips of coarfe paper moiftened, as a condubfoiy
on which he made the patient fraud barefoot; and, at the
moment that he opened his mouth to bite, M . Rojji thruft
into it the extremity of a conductor communicating with the
other extremity of the pile. The man appeared to fuller
greatly from the operation, which, after repeated (hocks,
weakened him fo much, that he w as unable to {upper t him-
felf : it was then continued as he lav on the Ground, till he
became covered with drops of fweat. This was done at two
in the afternoon ; and at fix the next morning he went of
himfelf to M. Rojji, to tell him he was completely cured, as
he felt no pain, nor any difficulty of fwallowing, and had.
loft all his averfion to water and liquids : he could not be
perfuaded, however, to fubmit again to the operation. A
few days after this, upon feeling forne flight pains, he was
apprehenfive of a return of the hydrophobia ; but they dis¬
appeared on the re-application of the galvanifm. This cure,
M. Rojji obferves, was performed in the prefence of nu¬
merous witnefles. The fenfibility of the patient was ib
great, that fhocks which affebted others merely in the fingers,
extended in him to the fhoulders.

§ 40. On the electric Organs of certain Fifties : by M.

Gcoffroja •- &

Theelebbic organs in the torpedo ( rate torpille) confift of
a great number of aponeurotic tubes, ranged in a parallel
order around the gills, and attached by their bafes to the
common integuments: they are of an hexagonal and fome-
times pentagonal form. Thefe prifms, which prefent the

afpecft

XCli MISCELLANEOUS.

afpecfl of a honeycomb, are filled within with a loofe, flabby,
tranfparent fubftatice, and which, on chemical examination,
appears to be compofed of albumine and gelatine.

In the gymnotus eleBricus, an angular fifh, the tail of
which makes up feven-eighths of its whole length, there are
reckoned to be four electric organs ; two large ones, fituated
below the vertebra? of the coccyx ; and two fmail ones,
placed on the tides of the pofterior fin of the anus. Thefe
elongated maffes are formed by aponeurotic tendinous la¬
minae, ranged parallel to each other, and interfered verti¬
cally by other lamina? more numerous and of the fame na¬
ture. The c<slls formed by the interfebtions of thefe mem¬
branes are filled by a fubffance refembling that found in the
torpedo.

In the filurm ehciricus the electric organ is different from
either of the above ; it forms a fae under the fldn, and en¬
velopes the fifli entirely: it refembles a layer of lard or ba¬
con, infeerpofed between the (kin and the general aponeu-
rofis extended over the mufcles ; but, when looked at through
ei magnifying glafs, this thick mafs appears to be formed of
aponeurotic fibres, interlaced in every direction : all the
mefhes of this net-work contain albumine and gelatine.

Thefe electric apparatufes are put into play by nerves
which are common to all fiflies : they are merely a little
larger in the electric tribe; but in other relpebls they are as
different as the eleblric organs are from each other.

It is the nerves of the fifth pair that are expanded over
the tubes of the torpedo, whilft thofe of the eighth are fpread
over the reticular fae which envelopes the iilurus. Thefe
prefent a remarkable anomaly ; for, inftead of palling direCl-
)y over the flanks, as is the cafe in all other fillies, they ap¬
proach each other on their exit from the cranium, traverfe
together the* body of the fir It vertebra, and, after having
made this long paiTage, pafs each under the lateral line :
they fiurnifh from twelve to fifteen large branches, which ex¬
pand themfelves over the eleblric net-work. In the gym-
solus, the nerves which go to the electric organs are de¬
rived

MISCELLANEOUS, Xciii

rived from the fpinal marrow : the vertebral nerves them-
felves are employed for this purpofe.

The con feq uences which M. Geoffrey deduces from the
comparative examination of the eledlric. organs are, X. That
the place where thofe organs are fituated is altogether indif¬
ferent, fmee they are distributed all over the filurus, are col¬
lected under the tail of the gymnotus, and placed at the fides
of the gills in the torpedo : 2. That no branch of the nervous
fyftem is particularly appropriated to them, fmee they are in
each of thofe animals fupplied from a different fource : 3. and
laftly. That the figure of the cells is alfo of little moment,
as it varies in each fpecies. But, in other refpedis, we find
alfo that the eledlric batteries, which appear at ftrft fight to
have little refemblartee to each other, are yet in many points
fimilar, and are referable to the fame general fyftem of or¬
ganization. We are affined of this, when we confider that
the eledtric fifties are the only ones in which we obferve
aponeurofes fo extended and multiplied in their furfaces ; fo
confiderable an accumulation of gelatine and albumine in
the cells thus formed ; and fuch large and numerous branches
of nerves.

It is, in fadt, by the union of fuch fimple inftruments that
the eledlric organ is cpnltituted and in this ftate it may be
compared to the Leyden battery, iince, like this, it is com-
pofed alternately of condndlors of the eledtric fluid (to wit,
the nerves and the albumino-gelatinous pulp, to which the
adtion of the nerves is continued) ; and of non-condudling
fubltances, viz. the aponeurotic laminae, which are flretch-
ed acrofs this rnafs of albumine and gelatine.

The eledtric organ being, in its ultimate ftrudhire, formed
of nerves and of aponeurotic laminae inter! perfed with albu¬
mine and gelatine, we ought not to be furprifed at meeting
with it in animals fo widely different. All animals have
nerves, which lofe them felves under the fit in ; all, immedi¬
ately below the fkin, are furnifhed more or lefs with cellular
tiffue : all have, therefore, in fouie fort, the rudiments of an
eledlric organ. In order to its developement, there is only
required the expanfion of a certain quantity of albumine ;

vol. x, - I i and

XC1V

MISCELLANEOUS.

and as this expanfion may lake place without the influence*
at leaft immediate, of other organs effential to life, we rea-
dily conceive in what 'way the prefence of an eledlric organ
may characterize a fpecics , without removing it from its genus,

V , — — , J ,

§ 41. On the Sugar of the Raifin.

Froffiflor Prouft, in a letter to M. Delametherie ( Jour .
de PhyjVy tom. 56, p. 113.), writes as follows. “ 1 have di {co¬
vered a new fpecies of fugar in the raifln, and which is the
bafis .of: wine; it differs from that of the fugarcane; cryftal-
lizes in a different manner; &c. It conftitutes at lead thirty
parts in the hundred of the juice of the Mufcadine grape.
Azote always accompanies the carbonic acid in the fermen¬
tation of wine : in that of gluten, it is pure hydrogen that flies
off with the carbonic acid.

“ Inform M. Vauquelin, that urea , as far as hitherto ex¬
amined, is a faline fubftance, faturated with ammonia, and not
a Ample prod udf: it is only neceffary to apply fulphuric acid
in order to detach the ammonia, leaving the urea pure, but
coloured by the refln. I have not yet been able to whiten it.”

§ 42. On the Theory of Electricity .

Philofophers have of late been divided in their ideas re-
fpeCting the nature of the agent which produces the electrical
phenomena. One fet ftill maintains the Frankliriean hypothe-
lis, of a pofitive and negative eledlricity ; whilft another adopts
the theory fuggefted by M. Dufay , which fuppofes the ex-
iftence of two diftincf fluids, producing, by their various
modifications, the different phenomena. ,

M. Tremery has endeavoured to inveftigate this matter,
and enquires. Whether all the electrical phenomena admit ctf
explanation on the latter of thefe principles; the only teft, in
fa6i, in either cafe, of the truth of the theory fuggefted. He
cites the following experiment, which the partizans of the
Frankliriean theory adduce as extremely difficult of explana¬
tion on the other hypothefis.

If we trace on the furface of a cake of refin different de-
Agns, by means of the extremity of a condudlor, fometimes

eledlrified

MISCELLANEOUS. XCy

leCtrified poll li vely (or charged with the vitreous electricity),
wnetimes negatively (or with the rejinous ) ; ii, on this fur?
ice fo electrified, we let fall a fubftance in fine powder, the
gures, which then become apparent, will prefent characters
eculiar to each kind of eleCtricity, and which, according to
fie Franklinifts, feeinto indicate in the one cafe a fuDera.bun.d~
nee of the eleCtric fluid, and, in the other, a deficiency or
novation of it.”

M. Tremery thinks that this experiment, and others of a
imilar kind, may be as well explained on the theory of two
finds as on that of Franklin. The matter, he obferves, to
diich we attribute the eleCtric phenomena, being regarded
s compofed of two diftinCt fluids, we may conceive that all
lodies, confidered in relation to thefe, do not poflelsthe fame
> roper ties. It is poffible that the vitreous and rejinous elec?
ricities are of fuch a nature, that, on the one hand, certain
bodies, whether eleCtrics or conductors, have, in refpect of
hem, different conducting powers; and that, on the other,
he coercive power of idio- eleCtric bodies, or non conductors,
raries accordingly as they oppofe the movement of the mole¬
cules of the vitreous eleCtricity, or of thofe of the rejinous.

He fuppofes farther, that, in regard to electrical pheno-
nena, the atmofpheric air may be confidered as having the
property of exerting at puce two diJHnCi coercive powers , each
:>f vrhich is peculiar to one of the two fpecies of electricity
fuppofed to enter into the competition of the eleCtric fluid,
[t is on the difference of thefe two coercive forces that all the
phenomena which have led to the confidering the vitreous
electricity as pofitive, and the refinous as negative, depend.

H ence he concludes, that this and fimilar phenomena
which have been oppofed to the theory of two fluids, ad¬
mit of as ready an explanation as-on the Franklinean theory :
and he thinks, moreover, that the theory of two fluids ex¬
plains in a more fatisfaCiory manner the other phenomena of
eleCtricity.

§ 48, Prize

jKCvi MI S C E £ LAN- ROUE*

§43. Prize Quejiion in Surgery : ' * ‘ V

The Royal College of Surgeons in London has, by adver-
life men t, offered a premium of 10/ for the beft practical Dif¬
fer tation on the following Tubjeek. • ' 1 '

1. Hernisel

, i - i t

2. Aneurifm. - * f

The Differtations are required to be written in Englifh, and

their merits will be eftimated by the importance and number
of facts adduced. They muft be lent in to the fecretary on
or before Chriftraas 3 804, Pealed and fuperfcribed in the
ufual manner, fo that the name , of the fuccefsful candidate
only can. be known. The unfuccelsful . eifays will be return-?-
ed, if required ; otherwife deftroyed. - •*,

.MEDICAL THEATRE, GUY’s HOSPITAL.

s. The Lectures for the en firing Spring will commence at this
Hofpitai in the beginning of February. •

Practice of Medicine, by Dr. Babington and Dr. Curry,
-—Principles and Practice of Chemistry, by Dr. Ba~
bington and Mr. Alien. —-Theory of MeSicine and Mate¬
ria Medica, by Dr. Curry.— Midwifery, and Diseases
of Women and Children, by Dr. ITaigh ton .-—Physio¬
logy, or Laws of the Animal Economy, by Dr. Haighton,
— -Principles and Practice of Surgery* - by- Mr. Ailley
Cooper, iiluftrated by lelect Cafes 'under his Care in the Hof-
pi till. ' • ■ ; r ..-*'■ ■■■* * ■- ■

A Conrfe of Lectures will alfo be given on the Structure
and Diseases of the Teeth, by Mr. Fox; and on the Vete¬
rinary Art, by Mr. Coleman, ProfelTor at the Veterinary
•College. # c - c * ? ► o • * •- •

Tiiefe fev era!’ Le'dures> together with thofe on Human and
CompaRa rivE Anatomy, given at the .adjoining Hofpitai of
Jit; Thomas, are To .arranged, -that no two of them interfere
with., each other in*, the '-hours of -attend a nee; and the whole is
calculated to form a complete Conrfe of Medical and Surgi¬
cal Mlrudion. - -

Terms and other particulars to be learnt by applying to
Mr. Stocker, Apothecary to Guy’s llofpital; who is likewife
efnpbWeredAo enter gentkfncn ■ as --piTpik to any of the above

LcclureSr

■v*

No. LIX.

THE

MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL

MARCH, 1804.

Art. XLVIII. Philofophical Tranfactions of the
Royal Society of London for the Year 1803. Part
II. London, 1803. Nicols.

~ . i, ✓

IF we except the firtl paper, which, as pertaining-
to the phyfiology of vegetables, bears, of courfe,
lome relation to the animal oeconomy,, the prefent
fafciculus of the Tranfactions is peculiarly barren of
matter connected with our fubje£I. We fhall as ufual,
however, copy the titles of the different articles as
they occur, for the fake of our more general philo¬
fophical readers.

Art. 11 (the firft of the prefent part). Account of
fame Experiments on the Defcent of the Sap in Trees .
By Thomas Andrew Knight, Efq. Read April 21,
1803. Addreffed to Sir J. Banks.

c In a Memoir which I had the honour to prefent to
you two years ago*, I related fome experiments on
trees, from which I inferred, that their fap, having
been abforbed by the bark of the root, is carried up
by the alburnum or white wood of the root, the trunk,
and the branches ; that it paffes through what are
there called the central veffels into the fucculent part
of the annual fhoot, the leaf-ftalk, and the leaf 5 and

* * See Phil. Tranf. for 1801, p. 333.

VOL. X.

that

• V

326 Philofophical Tranf actions for 1803. Part II.,

that it returns to the bark through the returning vef-
fels of the leaf-ftalk. The principal object of this
Paper, is, to point out the caufes of the defcent of
the fap through the bark, and the confequent forma¬
tion of wood.

‘ Thefe caufes appear to be gravitation, motion
communicated by winds or other agents, capillary at¬
traction, and probably fomething in the conformation
of the veffels themfelves, which renders them better
calculated to carry fluids in one direction than in an¬
other. I (hall begin with a few obfervations on the
leaf, from which all the defcending fluids in the tree
appear to be derived. This organ has much en¬
gaged the attention of naturalifts, particularly of M.
Bonnet ; but their experiments have chiefly been
made on leaves fevered from the tree ; and, therefore,
whatever conclufions have been drawn ftand on very
queftionable ground. The efforts which plants always
make to turn the upper furfaces of their leaves to the
light, have with reafon induced naturalifts to con¬
clude, that each furface has a totally diftinct office $
and the following experiments tend ftrongly to fup-
port that conclufton.

* I placed a fmall piece of plate glafs under a large
vine leaf, with its furface nearly parallel with that of
the leaf * and, as foon as the glafs had acquired the
temperature of the boufe in which the vine grew, I
brought the under furface of the leaf into contaCf with
it, by means of a fflk thread and a fmall wire adapted
to its form and flze. Having retained the leaf in this
pofttion one minute, I removed it, and found the fur-
face of the glafs covered with a ftrong dew, which had
evidently exhaled from the leaf. I again brought the
leaf into contaCf with the glafs, and, at the end of
half an hour, found fo much water difcharged from
the leaf, that it ran off the glafs when held obliquely.
I then inverted the pofttion of the leaf, and placed its
upper furface in contaCl with the glafs : not the flight-
eft portion of moifture now appeared, though the leaf

was

Philofophical Tran factions for 1803. Part II. 327

was expofed to the full influence of the meridian fun.
Thefe experiments were repeated on many different
leaves, and the refult was, in every inftance, precife-
ly the fame. It feems, therefore, that, in the vine,
the perfpiratory veffels are confined to the under fur-
face of the leaf; and thefe, like the cutaneous lymph¬
atics of the animal economy, are probably capable of
abforbing moiflure, when the plant is in a ftate to re¬
quire it. The upper furface feems, from the pofition
it always affumes, either formed to abforb light, of to
operate by the influence of that body ; and if any
thing exhale from it, it is probably vital air, or fome
other permanently elaftic fluid. It neverthelefs ap¬
pears evident, in the experiments of Bonnet, that this
furface of the leaves of many plants, when detached
from the tree, readily abforbs moiflure.

f Selefling two young (hoots of the vine, growing
perpendicularly againft the back wail of my vinery, I
bent them downwards, nearly in a perpendicular line,
and introduced their fucculent ends, as layers, into
two pots, without wounding the ftems, or depriving
them of any portion of their leaves. In this pofition,
thefe (hoots, which were about four feet long, and
fprang out of the principal ftern about three feet from
the ground, grew freely, and, in the courfe of the
fumrner, reached the top of the houfe. As foon as
their wmod became fufficientiy folid to allow me to
perform the operation with fafety, 1 made two circular
incifions through the bark of the depending part of
each (hoot, at a fmall diftance from each other, near
the furface of the mould in the pots, and I wholly re¬
moved the bark between the incifions : thus cutting-
off all communication through the bark between the
layers and the parent ftems. Had the fubje£ts of this
experiment now retained their natural pofition, much
new wood and bark would have been formed at the
upper lip of the wounds, and none at all at the lower,
as I have ascertained by frequent experiment. The
tafe was now different : much new bark and wood

K k 2 were

828 PhUofophical Tranf actions for 1803. Part 1L

were generated on the lower lip of the wounds, be¬
come uppermoft by the inverted pofition of the
branches; and I have no doubt but that the new
matter thus depofited owed its formation to a portion
of fap, which defcended by gravitation, from the
leaves growing between the wounded parts and the
principal Hems.

* The refult of this experiment appears to point out
one of the caufes why perpendicular (hoots grow with
much greater vigour than others: they have probably
a more perfect and more rapid circulation.

€ The effefts of motion on the circulation of the
fap, and the confequent formation of wood, I was
belt able to afcertain by the following expedient.
Early in the fpring of 1801, I felefted a number of
young feedling apple-trees, whofe (terns were about
an inch in diameter, and whofe height, between the
roots and firft branches, was between fix and feven
feet. Thefe trees (food about eight feet from each
other ; and, of courfe, a free paflage for the wind to
aft on each tree was afforded. By means of (lakes
and bandages of hay, not fo tightly bound as to im¬
pede the progrefs of any fluid within the trees, I near¬
ly deprived the roots and lower parts of the (terns, of
feveral trees, of all motion, to the height of three feet
from the ground, leaving the upper parts of the (terns
and branches in their natural (late. In the fucceed-
ing fummer, much new wood accumulated in the
parts which were kept in motion by the wind ; but the
lower parts of the Items and roots increafed very little
in lize. Removing the bandages from one of thefe
trees in tire following winter, I fixed a (lake in the
ground, about ten feet diftant from the tree, on the
eaft fide of it; and I attached the tree to the flake, at
the height of fix feet, by means of a (lender pole
about twelve feet long ; thus leaving the tree at li¬
berty to move towards the north and fouth, or, more
properly, in the fegment of a circle, of which the pole
formed a radius; but in no other direftion. Thus

circumflanced,

Fhilefophical Tranf actions for 1803. Part II. 329

eircumftanced, the diameter of the tree front-north to
fouth, in that part of its item which was moft exer-
cifed by the wind, exceeded that in the oppofite di¬
rection, in the following autumn, in the proportion of
thirteen to eleven.

€ Thefe refults appear to open an extenfive and in-
terefting field to our obfervation, where we fhall find
much to admire, in the means which Nature employs
to adapt the forms of its vegetable produ£lions to
every fituation in which art or accident may depofit
them. If a tree be placed in a high and expofed fitu¬
ation, where it is much kept in motion by winds, the
new matter which it generates will be depofited chief¬
ly in the roots and lower parts of the trunk 5 and the
diameter of the latter will diminilh rapidly in its
afcent. The progrefs of the afcending fap will of
courfe be impeded; and it will thence caufe lateral
branches to be produced, or will pafs into thofe al¬
ready exifiing. The forms of fuch branches will be
fimilar to that of the trunk ; and the growth of the in-
fulated tree on the mountain will be, as we always
Jind it, low and fturdy, and well calculated to refill
the heavy gales to which its fituation conftantly ex¬
po fes it.

* Let another tree of the fame kind be furrounded,
whilft young, by others, and it will aflume a very dif¬
ferent form. It will now be deprived of a part of its
motion, and another caufe will operate : the leaves on
the lateral branches will be partly deprived of light,
and, as I have remarked in the laft Paper I had the
honour to addrefs to you, little alburnum will then
be generated in thofe branches. Their vigour, of
courfe, becomes impaired, and lefs fap is required to
fupport their diminifhed growth : more, in con-
fequence, remains for the leading flioots ; thefe,
therefore, exert themfelves with increafed energy ;
and the trees feem to vie with each other for fuperi-
ority, as if endued with all the paffions and propen-
fities of animal life.

Kk 3

330 Philo fophical TranJ* actions for 1803. Part

* An infulated tree in a fheltered valley will aflume,
from the foregoing caufes, a form diftinCI from either
of the preceding ; and its growth will be more or lefs
afpiring, in proportion to the degree of protection it
receives from winds, and its contiguity to elevated ob¬
jects, by which its lower branches, during any part
of the day, are fhaded.

c When a tree is wholly deprived of motion by be¬
ing trained to a wall, or when a large tree has been
deprived of its branches to be regrafted, it often be¬
comes unhealthy, and not iinfrequently perilhes, ap¬
parently owing to the ftagnation of the defcending
fafp, under the rigid cinCture of the life lefs external
bark. I have, in the laft two years, pared off this
bark from fome very old pear and apple-trees, which
bad been regrafted with cuttings from young feedling
trees ; and the effeCt produced has been very extra¬
ordinary. More new wood has been generated in the
old trunks within the laft two years than in the pre¬
ceding twenty years ; and I attribute this to the faci¬
lity of communication which has been reftored be¬
tween the leaves and the roots through the inher bark.
I have had frequent occafion to obferve, that where-
ever the bark has been moft reduced, the greateft
quantity of wood has been dfcpofited.

c Other caufes of the defcent of the fap towards the
root I have fuppofed to be capillary attraction, and
fomething in the conformation of the veffels of the
bark. The alburnum alfo appears, in my former ex¬
periments, to expand and contract very freely under
changes of temperature and of moifture ; and the mo¬
tion thus produced mult be in fome degree commu¬
nicated to the bark, fhould the latter fubftance be in
itfelf wholly inactive. I however confider gravitation
as the moft extenfive and aCtive caufe of motion in
the defcending fluids of trees ; and 1 believe, that,
from this agent, vegetable bodies, like unorganized
matter, generally derive, in a greater or lets degree,
the forms they affume 5 and probably it is neceffary to
■ b v 1 the

Philo fophical Tran factions for 1803. Part II. 331

the exigence of trees that it ftiould be fo. For if the
fap palled and returned as freely in the horizontal and
pendent as in the perpendicular branch, the growth
of each would be equally rapid, or nearly fo : the ho¬
rizontal branch would then foon extend too far from
its point of fufpenfion at the trunk of the tree, and
thence muft inevitably periffi by the compound ratio
in which the powers of deftruCtion, compared with
thofe of prefervation, would increafe.

* The principal office of the horizontal branch, in
the greateft number of trees, is to nouriffi and fupport
the bloffoms, and the fruit or feed ; and, as thefe give
back little or nothing to the parent tree, very feeble
powers alone are wanted in the returning fyftem. No
power at all had been fatal ; and powers fufficiently
ftrong wholly to counteract the effeCts of gravitation
had probably been in a high degree deftructive : and
it appears to me by no means improbable, that the
formation of bloffoms may, in many inftances, arife
from the diminiffied aCtion of the returning fyftem in
the horizontal or pendent branch.

* I have long been difpofed to believe the amend¬
ing fluids in the alburnum and central veffels* where-
ever found, to be every where the fame ; and that the
leaf-ftalk, the tendril of the vine* the fruit-ftalk, and
the face ulent point of the annual ffioot, might in foflne
tneafure be fubftituted for each other ; and ‘experi¬
ment has proved my conjecture, in many inftances, to
be well founded. Leaves fucceeded, and continued
to perform their office, when grafted on the fruit-ftalk,
the tendril, and face ulent ffioot, of the vine ; and the
leaf-ftalk, the tendril, and the fruit-ftalk, alike fup-
plied a branch grafted upon them with nourishment,
But I did not fucceed in grafting a fruit-ftalk of the
vine on the leaf-ftalk, the tendril, or fuceulent ffioot :
my ill fuccefs, however, 1 here attribute folely to want
of proper management , and I have little doubt of
fucceeding in future*

Kk 4 1 The

332 Philo fophical Tran factions for 1803* Part II.

c The young fhoots of the vine, when grafted on
the leaf-ftalk, often grew to the length of nine or ten
feet 5 and the leaf-ftalk itfelf, to fome diftance below
its junfrure with the graft, was found, in the autumn,
to contain a conftderable portion of wood, in every re-
fpeft fimilar to the alburnum in other parts of the tree.

* The formation of alburnum in the leaf-ftalk feem-
ed to point out to me the means of afcertaining the
manner in which it is generated in other inftances ;
and to that point my attention was in confequence at-
trafted. Having grafted a great many leaf ftalks with
fhoots of the vine, I examined, in tranfverfe feftions,
the commencement and gradual formation of the wood.
It appeared evidently to fpring from the tubes which,
in my laft Paper ^to which I mull refer you), I have
called the returning veffels of the leaf-ftalk ; and to be
depoftted on the external tides of what I have there
named the central veffels, and on the medulla. The
latter fubftance appeared wholly ina£live ; and I could
not difcover any thing like the proceffes fuppofed to
extend from it, in all cafes, into the wood.

c The organization of the young fhoot is extremely
fimilar to that of the leaf-ftalk, previous to the forma¬
tion of wood within it. The fame veffels extend
through both ; and therefore it appeared extremely
probable that the wood in each would be generated
m the fame manner : and fubfequent obfervation foon
removed all grounds of doubt.

‘ It is well known that, in the operation of bud¬
ding, the bark of trees being taken off readily unites
itfelf to another of the fame or of a kindred fpecies.
An examination of the manner in which this union
takes place promifed fome farther information. In
the laft fummer, therefore, I inferted a great number
of buds, which I fubfequently examined, in every pro-
greftive ftage of their union with the ftock. A line of
confufed organization marks the place where the in-*
ferted bud firft comes into contact with the wood of
the ftock $ between which line and the bark of the in¬
ferted

Philofophkal Trait factions for 1803. Part II. 333

ferted bud new wood regularly organized is generat¬
ed : this wood poffeffes all the charafileriftics of that
from which the bud was taken, without any apparent
mixture whatever with the character of the flock in
which it is inferted. The fubftance which is called
the medullary proeefs is clearly feen to fpring from the
bark, and to terminate at the line of its firft union
with the flock.

s An examination of the manner in which wounds
in trees become covered (for, properly fpeaking, they
never can be faid to heal) affords farther proof, were
it wanted, that the medullary proceffes (as they are
improperly named), like every other part of the wood,
are generated by the bark.

c Whenever the furface of the, alburnum is expofed
but for a few hours to the air, though no portion of it
be deflroyed, vegetation on that furface for ever ceafes :
but new bark is gradually protruded from the Tides of
the wound, and by this new wood is generated. . In
this wood the medullary proceffes are diftinflly feen
to take their origin from the bark, and to terminate
on the lifelefs furface of the old wood within the
wound. Thefe fadfs inconteftibly prove, that the me-
dullary proceffes, which in my former Paper I calLthe
filver grain, do not diverge from the medulla, but
that they are formed in lines converging from the bark
to the medulla, and that they have no connexion
whatever with the latter fubftance : and furely nothing
but the fafcinating love of a favourite fyftem could
have induced any naturalift to believe the hardeft, the
moft folid, and moft durable part of the wood, to be
compofed of the foft, cellular, and peri fh able fub¬
ftance of the medulla.

c In my Jaft Paper, I have fuppofed that the fap ac¬
quired the power to generate wood in the leaf; .and I
have fubfequently found no reafon to retradf that opi¬
nion. But the experiment in which wood was gene*
rated in the Ieaf-ftalk, apparently by the fap defcend*
ed from the bark of the graft, induces to believe,
. that

334 Philofophical Tran factions for 1803. Part I L

that the defcending fluid undergoes fome farther
changes in the bark, poffibly by difcharging fome of
its component parts through the pores defcribed and
figured by Malpighi.

c I alfo fufpefted, fince my former Paper was writ'**
ten, that the young bark, in common with the leaf,
poffeffed a power, in proportion to the furface it ex-
pofes to the air and light, of preparing the fap to ge¬
nerate new wood ; for 1 found that a very minute quan¬
tity of wood was depofited by the bark, where it had
not any apparent connexion with the leaves. Having
made two incifions through the bark round annual
Ihoots of the apple-tree, I entirely removed the bark
between the incifions, and I repeated the fame ope¬
ration at a little diftance below, leaving a fmall por¬
tion of bark unconnected with that above and beneath
it. By this bark, a very minute quantity of wood, in
many inftances, appeared to be generated at its lower
extremity. The buds in the infulated bark Were
fometimes buffered to remain, and in other inftances
were taken away ; but thefe, unlefs they vegetated,
did not at all affe£t the refult of the experiment. I
could therefore account for the formation of wood, in
this cafe, only by fuppofing the bark to poffefs in fome
degree, in common with the leaf, the power to pro¬
duce the neceffary changes in the defcending fap 5 or
that fome matter originally derived from the leaves
was previoufly depofited in the b&rk ; or that a por¬
tion of fap had paffed the narrow fpace above, front
which the bark had been removed, through the wood.
Repeating the experiment, I left a much greater
length of bark between the inlerfe61ioiis ; but no
more wood than in the former inftances Was generat¬
ed. I therefore concluded, that a fmall quantity of
fap muft have found its way through the wood from
the leaves above ; and 1 found that, when the upper
incifions were made ten or twelve lines diftance,
inftead of one or two* and the bark between them, as

Philo fophical Tran/ actions j dr 1803. Part II. 335

in the former experiments, was removed, no wood
was generated by the infulated bark.

, ‘ I (hall conclude my Paper with a few remarks on
the formation of buds in tuberous rooted plants be¬
neath ths ground : they mu ft, if my theory be well
founded, be formed of matter which has defcended
from the leaves through the bark. I (hall confine my
obfervations to the potato©. Having raifed fame
plants of this kind in a (ituation well adapted to my
purpofe, l waited till the tubers were about half
grown ; and I then commenced my experiment by
carefully interfiling, with a fharp knife, the runners
which connecf the tubers with the parent plant, and
immerfmg each end of the runners, thus interfered,
in a decodtion of logwood. At the end of twenty-four
hours I examined the ftate of the experiment ; and I
found that the decoction had paffed along the runners
in each dire£lion, but I could not difeover that it had
entered any of the veffels of the parent plant. This
refult I had anticipated, becaufe I concluded that the
matter by which the growing tuber is fed muff de-
feend from the leaves through the bark ; and expe*
rience had long before taught me, that the bark
would not abforb coloured iofufions. I now endea¬
voured to trace the progrefs of the infufion in the op-
polite direction, and my fuccefs here much exceeded
my hopes. > ; .

c A fedlion of the potatoe prefents four diffinPt fub-
fiances: the internal part, which, from the mode of
its formation and fubfequent office, I conceive to be
allied to the alburnum of ligneous plants ; the bark
which furrounds this fubftatice ; the true fkin- of the
plant; and the epidermis. Making tranfverfe lec¬
tions of the tubers which had been the fuhjedls of the
experiments, I found that the coloured infufion had
palled through an elaborate feries of veffels between
the cortical and albumens fubflances, and that many
minute ramifications of thefe veffels approached the
external fkin at the bafe of the buds, to which, as to

every

336 Philo fophical Tranf actions for 180*3. Part IL

every other part of the growing tuber, I conclude they
convey nourishment,

‘ Some other experiments were made on this plant,
which appeared to me interefting but my Paper has
already a good deal exceeded its intended limits. I
will therefore difmifs the fubjedi ; but intend to trou¬
ble you with another Memoir in the autumn, Should
this be honoured with the approbation of the Royal
Society.5

Art. 12. Enquiries concerning the Nature of a
Metallic Subjlance , lately fold in London as a, new
Metal , under the Title of Palladium. By Mr. Chene-
vix. — The experiments of the author, here given in
detail, demonstrate, that the fuppofed new metal is
nothing more than an alloy of quickfilver and platina.
This alloy, however, poffeffes feveral Angular proper¬
ties, which distinguish it both from its component me¬
tals, and from every other known fubftance. Its great-
eft peculiarity is its fpecific levity, which exceeds, by
much, the mean of platina and quickfilver. The mer¬
cury too, in the combination, lofes almoft entirely its
volatility. The fubjedt of alloys has been yet very
Imperfedtly inveftigated, and prefents a large field to
the chemical inquirer. The inveftigation, there is no
doubt, would be attended with important practical
jefults. The following are the author’s concluding
remarks: ...

* The fubftance which has been treated of in this
Paper muft convince us how dangerous it is to form a
theory before we are provided with a fufficient num¬
ber of fadts, or to fubftitute the refults of a few obser¬
vations for the general laws of Nature. If a theory is
fometimes ufeful, as a ftandard to which we may refer
our knowledge, it is at other times prejudicial, by
creating an attachment in our minds to preconceived
ideas, which have been admitted without inquiring
whether from truth or from convenience. We eafily
corredt our judgment as to fadls, and the evidence of

experiment

Fhilofophical Trcinfactions for 1803. Part II. 337

experiment is equally convincing to all perfons ; but
theories not admitting of mathematical demonftration,
and being but the interpretation of a feries of faffs*
are the creatures of opinion, and are governed by the
various imprefficns made upon every individual. Na¬
ture laughs at our fpeculations ; and though from time
to time we receive fuch warnings as fhould awaken
us to a due fenfe of our limited knowledge, we are
prefented with an ample compenfation in the exten-
fion of our views, and a nearer approach to immutable
truth.

c The affinities of metals for each other are likely
to be of the moft extenfive influence in chemiftry :
they will promote fcepticifm with regard to future dif*
coveries, and throw fome doubts upon our prefent
knowledge. Palladium is certainly not lefs different
from the elements that compofe it, and from all other
metals, than any two can be from each other. With¬
in the laft fifteen or twenty years, feveral new metals
and new earths have been made known to the world:
the names that fupport thefe difcoveries are refpeff-
able, and the experiments decifive. If we do not give
our affent to them, no fingle propofition in chemiltry
can for a moment ftand : but whether all thefe are
really fimple fubflances, or compounds not yet refolv-
ed into their elements, is what the authors themfelves
cannot pofitively affert ; nor would it in the lead dimi-
nifh the merit of their obfervations, if future experi¬
ments fhould prove them to have been miftaken as to
the fimplicity of thofe fubftances. This remark fhould
not be confined to later difcoveries ; it may as juflly
be applied to thofe earths and metals with which we
have been long acquainted.

4 With regard to the metals, we have feen how lit¬
tle dependance is to be placed on fpecific gravities.
A contrary anomaly to that which operates upon pla-
tina and mercury may take place in others ; and they
may become as much heavier than the mean, as the
former become lighter. In this date of union they

may

S3S Fhilofophical Tranf actions for 1 803. Part If.

s' 1 w

may for a long time appear homogeneous, even by
the ted of chemical re-agents. One of the properties
that renders metallic fubdances fo precious, is, their
eafy formation into fuch indruments as our neceffities
require. The fragile metals are but of fecondary con-
fequence, and, at mod, ferve to confer on thofe which
are ductile fome quality which adapts them better to
particular purpofes. It often happens, that, by be¬
ing alloyed, two ductile metals become fragile ; but
we have no indance of the contrary effeCt in any high
degree. It is therefore more to be fuppofed that we
fhould look to fimplification among the fragile metals;
and, even at this early period, it may not be too fpe-
culative to confider the metallic bodies in an order
which may bring together thofe which poffefs the
greated number of fimilar characters.

c As an indance of this approximation, it may be
obferved that nickel and cobalt drongly participate in
the properties of copper and iron. The two former
metals were long regarded as mixtures ; and the
doubts of the antient chemids, who feared to pro¬
nounce as to their nature, may dill be proved to have
more foundation in truth than the affertion of the mo¬
derns, who have declared them to he dimple. Acted
upon by the fame mendrua, forming infoluble com¬
pounds with the fame acids, and foluble alike in
other fubdances, they have but one or two marked
properties that lead us to confider them as didinCt me¬
tals. But palladium has at lead five or fix characters,
as fitrong as thofe of any metal whatfoever, that didin-
guifh it not only from its elements, but alfo from all
other metals. /

‘ Among the earths, this approximation is dill more
apparent. A leading character of thefe fubdances,
is, their tendency to enter into fa-line combinations,
in which they receive new properties, and perform
new7 functions. If we rank them according to this
general tendency, we fha.ll hitve the following order :
barytes and drontia flime and magnefia; glucine and

alumina ;

3 hilofophical Tran faction's for 1803. Part II. 339

dumina; zircon and filica. And, if we confider them
wo by two in this order, which is a natural one, we
hall bring together precifely thofe which differ by
he fmalleft number of chemical chara£Iers.

‘ This investigation might be purfued Hill farther ;
)ut we muft wait the refult of experiments: a wide
ield is open for refearch. In the dark ages of che-
niftry, the objedh was to rival Nature; and the fub-
fance which the adepts of thofe days were bufied to
create was univerfally allowed to be fimple In a
more enlightened period, we have extended our en¬
quiries, and multiplied the number of the elements.
The laft tafk will be to fimplify ; and, by a clofer ob-
fervation of Nature, to learn from what a final] ftore
of primitive materials all that we behold and wonder
at was created.’ *

Art. 13. An Account of the finking of the Dutch
Frigate , Ambufcade, of 32 Guns , near the Nore ;
with the Mode ufed in recovering her . By Mr .
J, Whitby , of the Sheer nefs Dock Yard.

Art. 14. Ob [creations on a new Species of hard
Carbonate of Lime ; alfo , on a new Species of Oxide of
Iron . By the Count de Bo urn on. — A paper chiefly
interefting to the mineralogift.

Art. 15. Account of the Changes that have hap¬
pened, , during the laft 25 Years, in the relative Situa¬
tion of double Stars ; with an Inveftigation of the
Caufe to which they are owing . By Dr. Herfchell.

Art, 16, An Account of the Meafurement of an
Arc of the Meridian , extending from Dunnofe , in the
I fie of Wight , Lat. 50° 31' 3", to Clifton , in Yorkfiiire ,
Lat. 53° 21' 3 1", in courfe of the Operations car¬
ried on for the Trigonometrical Survey of England .
By Major William Mudge, of the Royal Artillery.

A lift of books prefented to the Society, together
with the index, conclude the volume.

Art.

340

Art. XLIX. Medecine Expectante. Expect ant Me¬
dicine, By C. Vitet, formerly Profejfor of Me¬
dicine . 8vo. 6 vols. Price 2l 5s. Lyons, 1803.
Imported by T. Boosey.

BY the term Expectant Medicine is to be under-
fiood, the mode of practice which profefies to
itudy the operations of Nature in the cure of difeafes,
leaving the talk as much as poffible in her hands, and
interfering only when her efforts appear ill-diredied or
inadequate to the prod u£! ion of the defired objeCL
This is unqueftionably the only proper foundation of
phyfic, and that on which the reputation of the molt
deservedly celebrated practitioners, in all ages, has
been built, but which, unhappily, in modern times*
has in a great meafure given way to the attempt to
do every thing by the prompt interference of art, and
the almolt indifcriminate ufe of the moll powerful,
often deleterious, articles of the Materia Medica. It
is with fatisfadion that we fee, in the eflfay before us,
the attention of practitioners recalled to an obfervation
of the natural progrefs of difeafes, and cautions fug-
gefced againft the too frequent interpolition of art in
their cure.

We by no means, however, think the prefent au¬
thor has hit the happy medium, nor can we give our
silent to many of his doCfrines, which favour too
firongly of the obfolete humoural pathology ; nor do
agree with him in his eftimate of the advantages of
methodical nofology. The accurate diftinCtion of dif¬
eafes is, undoubtedly, highly defirable, and even ab¬
solutely neceflary to the fuccefsful treatment of them ^
but the methods of late propofed for attaining this ob-
]e£t, derived from natural hillory, in our opinion have
no tendency to effeft it.

The following remarks of M. Vitet on fever will
fhew the general bent of his pathology. The imme¬
diate caufe he fuppofes to be a certain morbific mat¬
ter, to the concoftion and expulfion of which the ef¬
forts

341

Vitet on Expectant Medicine .

forts of Nature are fpontaneoufly directed, and a certain
train of fymptoms in confequence produced. ( To
wait on and obey her, as long as her efforts are neither
too violent nor too weak for the concoCtion and ex-
pulfion of the febrile matter, and as long as they do
not wander from their proper routes; to obferve atten«
tively, from the firfl attack to the period of convale-
fcence, all the movements of Nature, which tend to
diflurb the concoftion and crifis; to remove the obfta-
cles which opprefs her efforts, without producing any
injurious changes ; to refrore Nature to her proper di¬
rection, that flie may purfue her operations regularly;
not to wait till the laft days, but to put every thing in
order, fo as to difpofe properly the efforts and the di¬
rection of Nature, rather during the growth of the fever
than in its height and during its declenfion; to attend
particularly to the diftin&ion of the figns which an¬
nounce the approach of concoftion, the critical day,
and the kind of crifis; to guard againfl the accelera¬
tion of thefe before the time required by Nature; not,
however, to leave to her the care of furmounting the
fever, while art knows a fpecific for its cure, but to be
contented with choofing the molt favourable moment
for applying it with fuccefs ; to turn away with force
and activity the fatal efforts of Nature, and rather to
try a doubtful remedy, while there remains a faint hope
of effecting a cure, than abandon the patient to inevit¬
able death’— fuch are the principles which are to di-
reCt and guide the phyfician in his management of
fever, according to M. Vitet.

The fubdivifions of pulfes are carried to a degree
that muft appear ridiculous. Thus, there are the
pulfe of irritation, of concoCtion, and of crifis, which
are all well enough, and may be comprehended: but,
in addition to thefe, we have the regular or fuperior
critical pulfe, announcing depofitions above the dia¬
phragm ; the irregular or inferior, marking thofe which
take place below. Of the former, again, there are
the nafal , guttural , and pectoral pulfes, according
vol. x. LI as

342

Gregory V Memorial.

as the depoiition is to take place on any of the organs
from which thofe terms are derived. For {imilar rea~
fans, the inferior critical pulfe is divided into the
ftomachic, bilious, inteftinal, urinary, haemorrhoidai,
and uterine pulfes, all indicative of the peculiar or¬
gan about to be aflfedled.

Difeafes are clafled in the following order: 1. Fe¬
brile difeafes ; 2. Inflammatory; 3. Painful; 4. Con-
vulfive ; 5. Difeafes of debility; 6. Evacuations; 7.
Retentions; 8. Mental difeafes.

How little the author adheres to his fyflem of ex¬
pectant medicine is curioufly evinced in his directions
for the cure of angina. During the fi-rft day, ten to
fifteen ounces of blood are to be drawn from the arm,
and twenty-four or thirty-fix leeches applied to the
thighs; a finapifm is to be applied round the throat;
the femicupium to be employed, after which ten or
twelve more leeches are to be applied between the
fhoulders. To thefe are added, clyflers, pediluvium,
ptifanes, emulfions, gargles, &c The next day,
befides a repetition of the leeches, clyfters, &c. in
the morning ; three cupping-glafles with fcarification,
on the back of the neck, are to be employed in the
evening. Nor on the third day does the patient fare
much better; for the fame remedies, except the
bleeding, are to be adminiftered, with a large blifter
to the nape of the neck. On the fourth day, the fame
medicines as on the third, and, if there be danger of
fuflfocation, mercurial frictions ; and, laftly, broncho-
tom y ! - So much for expectant medicine.

..... .. * , . . » t . •- , t

yw- 1 ii— . ' ■ " - - T ||".

f " '• #■ ■ •

Art. L. Memorial to the Managers of the Royal

Infirmary. By James Gregory, M.D. , Pre-
fident of the Royal College of Phyficians, Pro -
fefibr of the Practice of Phy/ic in the Univerfity of
Edinburgh , and Firjl Pliyncian to his Majefty in
Scotland. Second edition, 8vo, 483 pages, price
7s 6d. Edinburgh, 1803. Cadell and Davies,
London. . OF

343

Gregory’.? Memorial .

OF a work fo local in its nature and obje£t, as the
prefent at fir ft fight appears to be, it might be
expefted we lhould fearcely have taken notice ; nor
fhould we probably have done fo, but that the atten¬
tion of the public feems to have been a good deal ex¬
cited towards it ; whilft it muft be allowed, particu¬
larly in its prefent extended ftate, to contain matter
generally interefting, though certainly often foreign
to the author’s main defign.

The fubje£t of the learned profeftbr’s animadverfion
and keen cenfure, is, the well known abfurd and per¬
nicious fyfiem of rotation in regard to chirurgical at¬
tendance in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh ; by
means of which it muft inevitably happen, that nine-
tenths, or thereabouts, of the furgical practice and
operations are in the hands of the youngeft and mo ft
inexperienced of the profeflion, who probably, in
many inftances, here commence their firft career in
furgery. Inftead of a few furgeons being appointed
to the Infirmary during their lives or good behaviour,
as is the cafe in aimoit every other fimilar inftitution,
all the members of the College of Surgeons in Edin¬
burgh, without diftindtion of age or qualifications, are
(aid to be furgeons to the Royal Infirmary ; and every
one of them claims it as his right to a£t in his turn as
attending and operating furgeon. This right is not
only claimed, but a£ted upon; and each member of
the College that choofes, which moft of the junior
ones do, attends and operates for the fpace of two
months, giving place then to another, commonly trill
younger and more inexperienced than himfelf. As
might have been expe£ted, the fenior and moft expe¬
rienced, and confequently moft refpe£table, peti¬
tioners have withdrawn themfelves from the Inftitu-
tion.

This abfurd regulation, it feems, was the refult of
a bargain between the College of Surgeons and the
earlier managers of the Infirmary ; agreed to by the
latter, in confequence of the fubfcriptions and patron-

L 1 2 age

344 Gregory’,? Memorial .

age afforded by the furgeons to the Inftitution in its
infant ftate. The injurious confequences of fuch a
fyffem, both with regard to the poor patients admitted
into the hofpital and to the public at large, by pro¬
ducing what the furgeons firft dated as their motive,
viz “ ane equality amongjt the furgeons of Edinburgh”
are almoft too obvious, one would think, to require
ferious refutation. Indeed, many will think the learn-
ed author of the Memorial might have been more ufe-
fully employed than in combating fo felf-evident an
abfurdity ; yet, when we confider that fuch a fyffem
has flood its ground for along feries of years, in oppo-
fition to general conviftion, and that it has refilled
feveral attempts to do it away, the labour and pains
bellowed on the fubjecl will not be thought mifap-
plied. It is here placed in every poffible light, ferious
as well as ludicrous ; for the proleffor is well known
to be a difciple of the fchool of Democritus. The ar¬
guments employed in combating the evil muff pro¬
duce conviction in thofe to whom they are particular¬
ly addreffed ; if, indeed, fuch conviction be really
wanting, which is fcarcely credible.

The author afterwards makes a propofal for a more
rational fyffem of attendance in the furgical department
of the hofpital ; on the juft and obvious principle, of
what is beft for the patients. It is fufffcient to obferve
here, that the plan recommended coincides very nearly
with the ellablilhed praClice in the London and other
hofpitals. In difcuffing this part of his fubjeCl, the au¬
thor digreffes, or, to ufe a legal phrafe, ‘ travels out of
the record/ to remark on ‘ the nuifance ofpromifcu-
ous and very numerous confutations;’ on ‘the ufes and
abufes of confutations;* on ‘ medical education, focie-
ties, eloquence, orators, harangues, debates, controver-
fies, quarrels, inveterate rancour, and everlafting war¬
fare with illuftrations and examples, from various
ages and countries, and the different branches of phy-
fic and furgery. Reference is made alfo to the writ¬
ings of Jonathan Dazvplucker , Efq . and his brother

Benjamin ;

345

Gregory'.? Memorial .

Benjamin ; a fubjefl of great concernment in Edin¬
burgh and its environs, for fome years paft, but of little
or no intereft beyond.

The remarks of the author on debating medical fo~
eieties, of which Edinburgh affords fo notorious a fpeci-
men, are highly deferving notice. After fome allow¬
ance of the good effefts fuch focieties are capable of
producing, which, however* are perhaps overrated, and
probably defignedly fo, upon the principle afterwards
mentioned, of throwing out a Tub to the Whale , he adds.
The bad effefts of thofe debating focieties among
our ftudents are equally well known. On the princi¬
ples already explained (page 382), a young man may
in them be highly difhnguiihed by the exercife of ta¬
lents the very reverfe of thofe which are effential to
the acquifition of medical or of any fcience. Such
men will of courfe become orators, not men of fcience
or phylicians. In fa6f, I have known feveral inftances
of fuch orators, who, after completing their education
in phyiic, very wifely quitted it as a profeffion, and be¬
took themfelves to the bar.

* Another bad effect of them, common to thofe who
are orators and thofe who are not, is, that the members
of them, who, from their age and fituation, can have
no experience of their own to which they may trull
for the decifion of fuch queftions, learn to conlider,
not only every opinion , efpecially thofe of their pro-
feftbrs, which is fair and right, but every obfervation
and tejlimony , with refpe£t to any matter of fact in phy¬
iic, as equally a fubje£t of difpute. Such difputes are
not right, but only excufable at bell, even in a fociety
of ftudents. When carried farther, and brought into
the world in publications, ftill worfe if introduced into
the pra6tice and the confultations of phyfic and for¬
gery, they are not only ufelefs and endlefs, but dif-
graceful. Reafoning being out of the queftion with
refpe£t to the truth of particular matters of faff, and
teftimony with regard to them being rejefted with
contempt, it is hardly poflible that fuch difputants

L 1 3 IhouJd

346

' G regory ’ s* Memorial.

fhould ever agree at laft in opinion, or contribute to
each other’s inftruftion, or concur in doing any good
to a patient. They muft be allowed to worry one an¬
other till they are tired ; and to try it again and again,
whenever they are fo inclined. But it feems to me
unjuft and cruel, as well as unreafonable, that others,
efpecially that their patients, either in hofpitals or out
of them, fhould differ by thofe recreations of their me¬
dical advifers.

‘ Another fuppofed bad effect of thofe focieties (at
leaft in part, for it would be unjuft, and contrary to
a welbknowm truth, to impute it entirely to them), is,
that the members of them are often tempted to wafte
a great deal of precious time, and much labour and
ingenuity, in ufelefs fpeculations and difcuftions. But
this evil, as neceffarily refulting from the imperfect
and erroneous ftate of the fcienCe and the art of phy-
fic, to a certain degree is unavoidable. •

c “ There majl be a Tub to amuje the Whale, ” faid
Dr. Cullen to my father, who had exprefled his con¬
cern at feeing fo many of our ftudents mis-fpend their
time and labour in that manner ; and had even taken
the liberty of a friend and colleague to remonftrate a
little with him on fome of his own moft favourite fpe¬
culations, neither the truth nor the ufefulnefs of
which my father could perceive. Dr. Cullen’s an-
fwer was that of a man of genius, who thoroughly
underftood his own profeffion, and the iituation in
which he was placed. It conveyed more knowledge
of phyfic and of human nature than I have been able
to find in a great and very popular work on the The¬
ory of Phyfic, which has been more highly extolled
than any other that has been publifhed in my time ;
which feems to have been compofed and publifhed in
fober earneft ; which has been quoted a thoufand
times with all the veneration due to the Principia of
Newton or the Chemiftry of Lavoijier ; and which,
to the eternal difgrace of this age and nation, and
efpecially of the medical gentlemen, has a£tually been

miftaken

547

Gregory’.? Memorial .

miftaken for a book of fcience. It is a work of ge¬
nius and fancy ; but it bears no nearer refemblance or
relation to fcience than the Rape of the Lock does to
the hiftorical writings of Tacitus.

‘ Dr. Cullen’s notion, which I have often heard him
exprefs fully and without a metaphor, was, that the
fir ft and moft elfential requifite in a ftudent of phyfic
was ardour in the purfuits of fcience ; and that though
this ardour might often be ill directed, and much la¬
bour and ingenuity wafted on frivolous fubjedts, yet*
on the whole, that every man with ardour and perfe-
verance, and no man without them, would make pro-
grefs at laft.

c In their focieties that ardour of our ftudents is ex¬
cited to a degree of enthufiafm ; fometimes, if I may
take the liberty to fay fo, approaching very near to
phrenzy. Their debates on controverted points have
fometimes been conduced with all the violence of
party-fpirit, Within my memory, fome of them fought
with piftols about their medical fyftems ; many more
were easier to do the fame ; from what I have feen
and heard, I can have no doubt that fome of them
would gladly have died martyrs to their medical faith.
One zealot, out of ftark love and kindnefs, refolved
to convert me to that faith, came to rrty houfe on pre¬
tence of alking fome queftions about what I had taught
in my ledhires, and regaled me with a harangue, of
which I underftood not one-fiftieth part, but which
tailed near an hour, and was delivered with fuch ve¬
hemence of gefture and paffion, that he not only
fweated profufely, but literally foamed at the mouth.
It he had gone but a very little farther, or had repeat¬
ed fuch exhibitions, it would have been my duty to
have got him confined as a lunatic.

c Two-and-thirty years ago, when Dr. Cullen’s Tub
to amufe the Whale was in the higheft repute, and, of
courfe, was the great fubjedt of enthufiafm among the
ftudents, one gentleman concluded his Thefis by de¬
claring roundly, and I dare fay very truly, that he

L 1 4 would

348

Gregory V Memorial.

would rather be in the wrong with Dr. Cullen than in
the right with other people. Si erravero , iamen , cum
Neutono et Culleno, magna conantem err are , quamt
cum vulgo horninum ignave fapere, potius juvabit.

‘ Twelve or fourteen years afterwards, but long
before Dr. Cullen’s death, when his Tub had been
knocked to pieces, and the Whale had got another to
play with, one of our ftudents was fo delighted with
his new plaything, and held in filch contempt the old
one, which perhaps had amufed his father, that he
began his Thefis, which I would not allow him to
publifh, by declaring flatly, that, till the new dodlrine
was broached which he was going to expound, there
had been either no principles, or only talfe principles,
in phyfic. Cum , praeter imam doctrinam , nuper ei
nondum omnem in lucem editam , aid nullis autfalfis
hactenus medicina principiis culta fit* with an
afterifk of reference to Brnnonis Elementa . This Tub
has fince that time drifted over to the continent, and
a few years ago afforded infinite amufement and full
employment to the great Kraken of Germany : per¬
haps it does fo {fill.

‘ But the moft complete and ludicrous fpecimen of
the importance of the debates, and of the orators in
their own eyes, one far beyond any thing in the me¬
moirs of P. P., clerk of this parifli, and fuch as I
ihould not venture to mention, were I not confident
that others muft remember it as well as I do, and that
perhaps fome copies of the papers may ftill remain,
was a newfpaper aftually publifhed in Edinburgh,
containing an account of the debates in one of the
medical focieties, or, for aught I know, in all of
them, for the edification of the public ; fomewhat in
the ftyle of the newfpaper accounts of the debates in
the two Houfes of Parliament. If I remember right,
I faw two or three numbers of that paper : I do not
remember the year of it, nor do I know how long it
was continued : confidering the nature of the debates,

and

349

Gregory'^ Memorial.

and the price of paper, print, and ftamps, I prefume
not many months/

Some pages are devoted to an account and con¬
demnation of the different feels that have prevailed in
medicine from the fyftem of Galen, which is ftigma-
tized as being ‘ more unintelligible, and, where it
was intelligible, more extravagantly abfurd, than any
which had gone before it,’ and which, the author
adds, * of courfe foon came to prevail univerfallyf
down to the Cullenians , %oonomians , and pneumatic
chernifis of the prefent day, e who, I truif, will keep
* us all alive and merry for a dozen years at leaf! ; and
€ when they have ferved their time, and their hour is
c come, nam omneis nna manet nox will give place to
c others, as good in every refpedt, and efpecially as fit
c to amufe the Whale.’

Amidlt fuch a confufion of dodtrines and fedls, the
tenets and dogmas of the author himfelf, holding fo
diftinguifhed a fituation in phyfic, cannot but be a fub-
jedt of curiofity; which he has taken care to gratify.
The fidelity of the picture any one at all acquainted
with the charadler of the learned and laughter-loving
profeffor will inftantly allow.

g He neither is, nor ever was, nor ever will be,
either an Empiric or a Dogmatift. He would have
been a keen Dogmatift, but that he found at leaf!
ninety-nine in the hundred of medical Dogmas were
falfe, and many of them ftark nonfenfe. He would
have been a determined Empiric, but that he found at
leaft ninety-nine in the hundred of Empirical fadfs
were as falfe, and more than that proportion of their
remedies as infignificant, and as dangerous, as any of
the Dogmas of their opponents. Of courfe, he now
lives a lad outcaft from both parties, juft like a man
excommunicated as an Atheift by a congregation of
Fanatics, and expelled as a Fanatic by a Royal Aca¬
demy ot Atheifts. He is made of the fame fluff, and
put together in the fame manner as other men, and of
courfe, in all probability, is neither wifer nor better

than

350 Gregory T Memorial*

than they are. Far from being more placid and tract¬
able, he is more irafcible and obftinate than mod
men ; and, if he had ever engaged in medical difputes,
would probably have been as violent, as abfurd, as
implacable, and as ridiculous, as any of his predecef-
fors or cotemporaries. He has fuch a genius for quar¬
relling with his profeffional brethren, that, without
even the pretence of any difference in medical opi¬
nions, and purely on account of certain differences in
morality, he has quarrelled with feme of them irre-
concileably, and refufed ever again to confult with
them; firft telling them, in the plained poffible terms,
the re a fon s of that unalterable refolutlon: juft to pre¬
vent any mifunderftanding, or the repetition of fuch
feenes as we read of in Gil Bias. He knows accord¬
ingly that feme of his profeffional brethren would be
very glad to fee him banged ; and he would not re¬
main very long inconfolable if the apotheofis of feme
of them were performed, or if they fliould perform it
themfelves, in that ignoble manner. He has taught
the Theory and the Pradlice of Phyfic in the Univer-
iity of Edinburgh for four*and- twenty years, without
once throwing out a Tub to amufe the Whale. He
never thought he had ingenuity enough to make fuch
a Tub, or dexterity enough to manage any of the
mimberlefs ready-made Tubs which were floating
around him. He obferved, to his great comfort, that
he had no occafion to take that trouble, as the Whale
has always found feme Tub to amufe itfeJf withal,
and has never yet fhewn the final left inclination either
to fwallow or to overfet him and his little bark. As
he never did, nor ever intends to do, it any harm,
he is not in the lead afraid of the Whale. He has not
had wifdom enough to keep hixnfelf out of all difputes
and controverfies, even in feience ; and in thofe where¬
in he has engaged, he has been abundantly acrimo¬
nious, as his opponents (probably) will be ready to
certify upon oath ; or if they fliould not, it is of little
coflfequence : the fadt may be eftabliflied without their

351

G re gory V Mi 'em oriah

help, or in fpiteof them. But hitherto, notwithftand-
ing all temptations, and provocations, and plenty of
had examples, he has efcaped the folly of any medi¬
cal difputes. or controversies ; not by any fuperiority
of underhanding, for he knows that men much wifer
and abler, and more learned, than he is, have fallen
into that folly ; but by his llrong fenfe of ridicule,
which on that point was to him irrefiftible. From his
earlieft youth he was admitted behind the curtain, and
let into the fecret of the medical drama. Having ac¬
quired a little notion of fome other fciences, and of
fcience in general,, before he engaged in the fiudy of
phyfic, he was, from the firft, both mortified and en¬
tertained with the contrail which he faw. He foon
perceived, that, with refpedl to phyfic, each fucceffive
age had much more trouble to unlearn the bad than
to learn the good of thofe' which went before it, and
ftill more to diftinguifh between the good and the bad
which itfelf produced. After two-and-thirty of the
beh years of his life fpent in learning, in teaching, and
in practifing phyfic, he has found much to confirm
and nothing to fhake that unfavourable opinion of his
own profeffion, and of a vaft majority of thofe who
have taught and pradtifed it. Being a great philofo-
pher, of the fedlef Democritus, he thinks it much
wafer, as well as pleafanter, to laugh than either to
cry or be angry at fuch things : and as he would have
thought it in others, fo in himfeif he would think it
perfedt Quixotifm, and truly a kind of Knight Er¬
rantry, to attempt to fet every body right; knowing
well that not one in a th oil-fan d choofes to be fet right.
Fie would as foon think of building a magnificent
dwell ing-houfe on the Goodwin fands, as of building
his fame on a work of medical reafoning or medical
obfervatiorr ; even if literary fame were, what it is not,
the chief objedl of his ambition. Fie never could pro-
pofe to himfeif either honour or advantage, in telling
fifty of his cotemporaries and five hundred of his pre-
decelfors, though in the civileft manner, and only by

implication,

352

Gregory V Memorial .

implication, that they were knaves and fools, liars and
quacks, or in being told the fame in equally civil or
perhaps in plain terms by many of his cotemporaries.
He never had the vanity to fuppofe that his talents
were greater, or that his efforts would be more fuc~
cefsful in medical fcience than thofe of many hundreds
of his cotemporaries, and many thoufands of his pre-
deceffors, or to think that any addition which he
might make to it could bear a feniible proportion to
the whole flock even of real medical fcience. He has
ftudied medical fyflems, and reafonings, and obferva-
tions, till he was fick, and tried many dozens of
boafled but very ufelefs remedies, till he was afhamed
of what he was doing. But far from exclaiming, €C All
is vanity,” and giving up the point in defpair, his
chief objeft, both in the teaching and in the practice
of phyfic, has been to feparate the little that he found
true and ufeful from the vaft mafs that he found erro¬
neous and ufelefs, or worfe. He knows many of the
peculiar difficulties which have hitherto retarded the
progrefs of medicine, and many of the caufes which
have produced the worft corruptions of it. He is con-
vinced that none of thefe are hopelefs, and is con¬
fident that the fcience of medicine will yet make
great and happy progrefs. The great volume of Na¬
ture lies open to Phyficians of every fe£l, and every
opinion ; but they muff learn to read it fairly, like
men of fcience, who feek for truth alone ; not per-
verfely, like difputants contending for vi£!ory $ or, as
fome wrong-headed fe£laries feem too often to have
read the Bible, each rooft abfurdiy affuming the dan-
gerous and wicked principle, tfiat

4 Hie liber eft in quo quarit fna dogmata quifqua

‘ Atquein quo reperit dogmata quifque fua

The broils and difputes which have been fo com¬
mon in every branch of phyfic are cenfured with due
feveriiy. Unhappily, they are more frequent and ran¬
corous amongft the medical faculty than in in oft other

fciences

353

Gregory^ Memorial .

fciences and profeffions. They are common, indeed,
among metaphyficians, politicians, and theologians :
amongft lawyers they are rare ; and fo far we may
agree with the author, 4 the lawyers are much wifer
and better than we are/ Phyficians, furgeons, apo¬
thecaries, mad-doftors, and men midwives, are all
dragged forward to prove our love of contention and
ftrife. The author’s antipathy to the laft fet of gen¬
tlemen is well known. 4 In juft ice to the men-mid-
wives, and not frorp any favour, for I really do not
like them, I mud mention, that they, too,

6 (< Plac’d on that Ifthmus of a middle (late,

‘ “ And tho! but darkly wife, not rudely great,”

have yet (hewn a becoming fpirit in this refpeft, and
have engaged in keen difputes. Of thefe I can give
no proper account, not being in the fecret of their fci-
ence : but I am credibly informed that very lately
they were, and perhaps kill are, difputing bitterly
about the bed way of fcooping out the brains of a
child, juft to facilitate his entry into the world; and
every body knows that they have never yet been able
to fettle the proper etiquette of ufhering into the world
ordinary people, fuch as are intended to live in it, who
generally have no brains to fpare. It is very lucky
for us all that we were not obliged to wait till that
point of ceremonial was fettled. To have been flop¬
ped by it, juft at the threfhold, would have been truly
embarrafting: if fuch a demur bad lafted but for half
a century, it would have made fad confufion in the
world, and probably would have made the Great
Nation a very little one. I heartily wifh, if the thing
be poflible, that the men-midwives would have done
with their difputes : they are evidently much more
pernicious to the ftate than tbofe of phyficians and
furgeons. It is of little confequence though we fliould
never agree : there are a thoufand ways of going out
of the world.

- — Facilis clef cenf its Averni,

JSro6tes atque dies patet atrijwn.ua Ditis,

There

$54 Gregory V Memorial .

There is but one way of coming into the world : and if
the men-midwives perlift in telling us every moment,
that there are a thoufand lions in that way, and infill
upon guarding us all through it armed cap-a-pie, we
fhall be frightened to obey the firft commandment ^
the only commandment which many of us feem in¬
clined to obey,’

Of the profeffor's love of anecdote and fun, take the
follow! ng in conelulion. — -f As little w7ould I trufl my
dog to a confutation of all the furgeons and apothe¬
caries of a certain country town in England, which
mult be nafnelefs, but which moil of us who have
ever been in London have palled through. By an ac¬
cidental but decifive experiment, it was afcertained
that the repulfive forces, or divellent attractions, or
explofive qualities, among them were fo ftrong, that
no room in the town could hold more than one of
them at once. A well-meaning London druggift be¬
ing in that town in the courfe of his hammer ride, to
afk the commands and take the money of his very
good friends and cuftomers, in pure limplicity of
heart invited them (feparately) to fup with him at a
tavern the fame night. All promifed ; all came : but
one by one. When the fecond came in, the fjril,
without faying a word, took up his hat, and went
away ; enter No. 3 ; exit No. 2 : and fo on to the
very la ft of eight or ten of them. Of courfe, No. 10
and the London druggift had fupper enough. Next’
morning, the druggift, meeting one of the deferters,i
expreffed his concern at having loft the pleafure of his1
company the evening before — 46 What the devil, Sir,
i6 do you think I would fit in company with fuch a

fcoundrel as - — •?” And he got the fame

anfwer, in fubftance, from every one of them.’

We mull not conclude without remarking, that the
Memorial appears to have had its weight with the
parties concerned, and to have been the occafion of
ameliorating the fyftem of chirurgical praftice in the
' Rovall

Mir b el on Vegetable Anatomy and PkyJiology. 355

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh : but the evil has been
partially remedied only ; a$d the learned profeffor has
again, we hear, wielded his pen, towards its entire
ckftruftion.5

Art, LL Mire el Trait e d' Anatomic et de Phyjio *

logic Ve get ales, 8Cc.

\ (Concluded from page 324.)

AQUATIC plants commonly keep their flowers
concealed under the water till the period of fe¬
cundation arrives, when they fwim on the furface ; they
then blow, become impregnated, and fometimes return
again to the bottom of the water, where their fruit
ripens. The i mlifheria, a plant that grows in the
Rhone and the rnarfhy places of Florence and Pifft,
has the male and female flowers on different individu¬
als. Its female flowers are folitary. Thefe, attached to
the top of long (talks which are turned in a fpiral
form, fwim on the furface of the water before fecun¬
dation: the male flowers, fixed in great numbers on
fliort (talks, remain under the furface of the water till
they blow7: they then detach themfelves at the period
of fecundation, and reach the furface, where they are
readily carried into contadt with the female flowers,
and effedt the fecundating procefs. The female
flowers having received the pollen of the male, their
(talks contract, and carry them to the bottom, where
the developement of the fruit goes on.

It was obferved before, and not without exciting
furprife, that the antients had no idea of the fexes
of plants, and of their fecundation, although they wrere
in the habit of cultivating the dioecal plants for their
particular ufes, and though they knew well that the
individuals which bore fruit did not bring it to matu¬
rity, unlefs there were in the vicinity barren indivi¬
duals, that is, male plants. This fadt wTas known in
the earlieft periods.

The

3 56 Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and Phyjiology .

The Orientals fecundated their female palm-trees,
by ihaking the flowers having ftamens over thofe with
piftils, as they continue to do at prefent; but the
philofophers of antiquity faw only in this phenomenon
a certain fympathy of beings, between which they
did not fuppofe any material relation to exift: thus
Pliny fays, that in the flowering feafon the male
palm-tree keeps its branches elevated, and fecundates
by its breath the female trees around it.

The moderns, till the time ofLinnasus, entertained
ideas, not more accurate with refpeCt to this beauti¬
ful phenomenon. Camerarius, however, who wrote
on the fecundation of plants at the end of the flxteenth
century, relates a number of experiments which he
made on the maize plant, the mercurialis, and the
mulberry ; which demonftrate that the ftamens are the
male organs neceflary to the reproduction of the
fpecies. He propofed to divide plants into three
dalles: the flrft comprehending thofe which bear male
and female flowers on different individuals; the fe-
cond, thofe which bear both on the fame individual
plant; and the third, thofe which have both male and
female organs in the fame flower. Geoffroy the
younger publifbed, in 1726, in the Memoirs of the
Academy of Sciences, a work wherein he clearly ex¬
plains the functions of the ftamens and piftils; and
Linnams threw the greateft light on this phenomenon,
by collecting all that had been written on the fubjeCt,
and by adding himfelf a great number of very curious
experiments.

The plants of the clafs dioecia are by far the belt
adapted to this fort of experiments. It is fufficient to
feparate the male from the female plant, to render the
latter abortive ; or to bring them together, in order
to the fecundation of the feeds. Gleditfch brought
from Drefden branches of the male palm, charged
with ftamens, and fhook the pollen from them over
the piftils, which then bore prolific feeds: eighteen
years after, the fame experiment was repeated with

equal

Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and Phyfwlbgy l 357

equal fuccefs. The mercurialis, an annual plant, has,
like the palm, male and female individuals. If plant¬
ed at a diftance from each other, the females will be
barren ; when brought nearer together, forne of the
female flowers will be fecundated, and the red barren ;
if brought dill nearer, all the female flowers bear pro¬
lific feeds. ' \ 1

The clutia pulchella , a plant of the fame clafs, fur-
nifhed to Linnaeus the fubjedt of two experiments
which deferve to be related. He took a male flower,
and attached it to a female one, which thus became im¬
pregnated; whilfl all the others remained barren. The
piftil of the clutia has three ftigmas, each of which
correfponds to a cavity containing a (ingle feed : Lin¬
naeus took, on a feather, the pollen of a male flower,
and, having covered two of the ftigmas with paper, ftiook
the prolific duft on the third : the feed correfponding
with this was fecundated, whilft the others became
abortive. This experiment has been repeated on
other vegetables, but not with the fame effeft. The
pollen, when thrown on one ftigma, impregnated all
the reft.

When the male flowers are plucked from the mo -
noxcal plants, the piftils do not develope themfelves,
the fame as when the males are removed to a diftance
from the females in the dioecal tribe. The abortion
of the piftil takes place equally in the hermaphrodite
flowers, when the ftamens are removed. Infetfs by
devouring thefe organs, and heavy rains by wafhing
off the fecundating duft, prevent alfo the develope-
metit of the feeds.

But what would diffipate all doubts, if any remained,
is what happens when we impregnate the piftil of
one fpecies by the ftamens of another. By this means
we obtain a mixed race, that refembles the mother in
the organs of generation, and the father in its leaves
and other acceftbry parts. It is neceflary, however,
that in this cafe, as in animals, there be a great fimi-
larity in the organization of the two fexes, in order to
vol. x. M m the

358 Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and Phyjiology .

the experiment fucceeding. Botanifts have given the
name of hybrids to thefe plants, which are true mules.
Such are a great number of the varieties of the cab¬
bage, &c. In reflecting on the aftoniihing multipli¬
city of plants which cover the globe; on the great
number of fpecies which the utmoft acutenefs of the
botanift has been unable always to diftinguifh by any
certain characters ; on the infenfible (hades which
conduCt us from one to the other; on the number of
varieties, in which we can fcarcely difcover the traits
that charaCterife the fpecies ; on the extreme levity of
the pollen; on the wonderful flexibility. of- the vege¬
table organization, &c. ; one would be led to fuppofe,
that the primitive races might be reduced to a {mail
number, were it poflible to feparate all the hybrid pro¬
ductions. This idea receives additional ftrength, when
we confider that every day difcovers new fpecies or
remarkable varieties, in places that botanifts have ex¬
plored for ages, and of which it is probable they would
have known all the vegetable productions. Laftly,
we fhould be led to believe, that, in time, new fpecies
would be formed of which at prefent we have no
idea ; and that confequently the race of plants will go
on conftantly increafing. It is to be wiflied that na-
turalifts made a particular ftudy of hybrid plants, and
endeavoured to augment the races. Perhaps their re-
fearches would throw new light on the nature of fe¬
cundation: but, mo ft certainly, unexpected refults
would be obtained from it.

Spallanzani made fome experiments on the fecun¬
dation of plants, from whence one might be tempted
to conclude, that the pollen is not always abfolutely
neceflary to the developement of fruitful feeds. The
female hemp plant, when feparated from the male,
and fpinach, deprived of all its flowers having ftamens,
gave feeds which germinated perfectly, and reproduc¬
ed plants fimilar to their mother. Many fpecies of
the gourd prefent the fame phenomenon ; and, as
Spallanzani took unufual precautions to prevent the

Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and Phyfiology . 359

pidils receiving the lead portion of the dud of the fta-
rnens, one is led to believe, with this celebrated phi-
lofopher, that, if fecundation does take place, it is by
fome unknown means ; which does not feem impof-
fible, when we confide r the extreme flexibility of the
vegetable organization. Befides, it mud be allowed
that analogy is here very drong, in demondrating the
exidence of a fecundating, principle in all vegetables
that are provided with damens and pidils ; for how
can we believe, that thefe principles fhould be indif-
penfible to one, and ufelefs to another ? It is more
fimple to imagine, that Nature, in order to fecure the
fecundation ot the germs, fometimes follows a fecret
rout, and arrives at her object without fhewingusher
procefles. It may be, that the action of the fecundat¬
ing principle extends through feveral generations, as
has been obferved in the in left called the vine-fretter.

. - ■ /• f . ' " ~ " •;». \ . ' i

~ The lad book treats of the Difeafes and Death of
Plants. Plants, like animals, are fubjeft to difeafes,
which haden their dedru6tion ; whild they have no
means of flying or avoiding the dangers which threaten
them. Too much or too little nourifhment is equally
hurtful to them. When placed on a dry and arid foil,
they are expofed to perifh from inanition ; in a foil
too rich or too moid, they die from a fuperabundance of
juices. Ex ce dive heat dries them up by an excefs of
tranfpiration ; heavy rains, on the other hand, prevent
the requisite exhalation, and determine the fall of their
leaves. The abfence of air and light injures the le-
cretions ; the plant without thefe perifhes, or vege¬
tates feebly, and with languor. Extreme cold con¬
geals their juices, and breaks and dedroys their orga¬
nization; whild the rains, by lodging in the hollows
of trees, difpofe the wood to rot. Hail dedroys the
leaves, and injures the young (hoots. Blights dedroy,
equally and fuddenly, the mod vigorous and the mod
tender plants. The fap, ill digeded, ferments and
caufes abfceffes, ulcers, and a fort of caries. The ex-

M m 2 travafation

360 Mirbel on Vegetable Anatomy and Phyfiology ,

travafation of the proper juices in the interior of the
plant obftru&s the fap-veffels, and produces fimilar
accidents. Wounds that reach the inner bark occa-
fion knobs and excrefcences, a fort of exoftofes, in
which the tubes or veffels become contorted in all di¬
rections. A too great abundance of fap produces an
enormous quantity of leaves ; and the exhaufted tree
bears neither flowers nor fruit. Rains happening at
the period of fecundation walh ofF the prolific pollen,
and occafion the piftils to prove abortive.

Plants have likewife numerous enemies amongft or¬
ganized beings. There is not one that is not deftined
to fupport parafites. A great number of fungufes
and lichens fix themfelves on the leaves, branches^
ftems, and roots, and weaken and deftroy them in fen-
fibly. Other parafitical plants, more vigorous, caufe
accidents more prompt and apparent.

A multitude of infefts live at the expence of cer¬
tain vegetables. The may-bug attaches itfelf in pre¬
ference to the maple, to the chefnut, to the elm ; but
their larvce nourifh themfelves indifferently on all forts
of roots. The cantharis , in the fpace of a few days,
robs the afh of all its foliage. And when winter has
defiroyed the herbaceous plants, the hare and the rab¬
bit, which fed on them during fumrner, remove the
earth from the roots of the trees, and devour the fuc-
culent rind.

Laftly, in plants, as in animals, a more inevitable
enemy awaits them, — old age. The term of life is dif¬
ferent in different fpecies. A great number of the
fungi live but for a day *, whilfi there are trees that
vegetate for a thousand years. AdanJon> in 1 7 4*9> faw
trees (the baobab ) on the iflands near Cape de Verd ,
with infcriptions on them, dated in the fourteenth and
fifteenth centuries : thefe trees were fix feet in diame¬
ter j and, from their known modes of growth, muff have
been above two hundred years old : hence it may be
concluded, that the fame tree, when of thirty feet dia¬
meter, which was the cafe with fome of them* mull
k • have

CheyneV Efdys on Ike Difeafes of Children . 361

have attained the age of five thoufand years. Thefe
differences in the period of life muft depend on fpeci-
fic differences of organization, and confequently is not
the fame in any two fpecies.

In plants which have only a ffngle year to live, the
death of old age takes place commonly at the ap¬
proach of winter, after their fruit has arrived at its
greateft degree of perfe&ion. The ftalks and the
branches grow rigid; the leaves turn yellow; all the
parts lofe their moifture : froft, fnow, winds, and a
thoufand other accidental caufes, efface often every
veftige of fuch plants, whole feeble texture oppofes
fcarcely any refinance to thefe diforganizing agents.
Trees, on the other hand, leave behind them more
laffing traces of their exigence. They conftft, in faff,
of a combination of vegetables united together, rather
than of a fingle individual. As the life of the tree has
its feat in no particular part, one part may vegetate
Independent of the reft; and, in like manner, death
takes place fucceffively in the different branches, till
the whole periihes, and is, fooner or later, refdlved in¬
to duft.

Having terminated his anatomical and phyfiological
hiftory of vegetables, M. Mirbel fubjoins a methodi¬
cal vocabulary of botanical terms, introductory to the
explanation of the different fyftems. Here vegetable
phyfiology and botany lofe their diftinctive characters,
and form together one fcience, — the natural hiftory of
plants. The methods of Tournefort , Linnaeus, and
Jufjieu , are thofe which are particularly explained ; but
the author avoids any critical difcufiion of their com¬
parative merits. This he intends making the fubjeCt
of a future volume, in which he propofes to give a
general hiftory of the fcience.

Art. LII. Effays on the Difeafes of Children, Ef-
fay II, On the Bowel Complaints more intimately

Mm3 connected

362 CheyneV Ej/hy&on the Difcafes of Children .

connected with the biliar y Secretion , and particu¬
larly on the Atrophia Ablactatorum , or Weaning
Brajli. By J ohm Cheyne, M.D.

' ' St-

IN this fecond Effay*, the author treats of fome
other difeafes of early infancy, as the jaundice
which occurs foon after birth, and that train of bad
fymptoms which takes place in children ahout the pe¬
riod of weaning, and to which he gives the name of
atrophia ablactatorum , commonly known in Scotland
by the title of weaning brajh.

The jaundice of infants the author fuppofes to be
owing to obftruflion of the pori biliarii , in confe-
quence of a thickening of the Tides of thofe tubes.
He has found, on difie&ion, the liver increafed to
nearly twice its ufual (ize.

The atrophia ablactantium occurs in children that
are too early weaned, or fuch as are attempted to be
reared without the bread, and alfo where improper
food is given, with or without fuckling. It com¬
mences with griping and purging, in which the {tools
are ufually of a green colour; and is often accompa¬
nied with bilious vomiting. Sometimes, in the pro-
grefs of the difeafe, the (tools are (hining and afh-
coloured, and fometimes lienteric. Atrophy fucceeds
to thefe fymptoms, and convillfions often come on,
and carry off the patient. The author lays much
ftrefs on the fuppofed more frequent occurrence of
the difeafe at certain feafons of the year, particularly
autumn ; as he has feldom, he obferves, feen it com¬
mence before the folftice, nor after the end of the
year. This opinion, however, we think, may be
queftioned, when it is confidered how entirely this
difeafe depends on its remote caufe.

The appearances on diffe£lion are thus deferibed :
— “ The firft diffeflion which I had an opportunity of
making, of a child who had died of weaning brafh,

* An account of the former EfTay, which treated of the Croup, will
be found in our 9th vol/, p, 327«

did

CheyneV Effays on the Difeafes of Children . 363

did not inftruft me in the true nature of the difeafe ;
for the mefenteric glands were confiderably enlarged
and inflamed, and I (till imagined that their affe&ion
might have occafloned the purging and marafmus.
But, in profecuting my refearch, I was convinced
that the difeafe was an undefcribed one; and that al¬
though there might, in fome inflances, be mefenteric
obffruCfion, it was not neceflary to the difeafe ; that
it was the effe& and not the caufe of it.

I obferved, in every inftance, that the inteflinal
canal, from the flomach downward, abounded with
Angular contractions, and had in its courfe one or
more intus-fufceptions ; that the liver was exceeding¬
ly firm, larger than natural, and of a bright red co¬
lour, and that the enlarged gall-bladder contained a
dark green bile. In fome difleCtions, the mefenteric
glands were fwelled and inflamed ; in others, how¬
ever, they were fcarcely enlarged, and had no ap¬
pearance of inflammation/’ There was no adhefion,
nor mark of inflammation, in any part of the inteftines.
The author, therefore, imputes the difeafe to an in-
creafed fecretion of acrid bile, or rather to the morbid
ftate of the liver occafioning this. It is poflible, we
think, that this may be an effeft rather than a caufe.
It is certainly difficult to fay what is primary and ori¬
ginal in thefe cafes, and what fymptomatic and fe-
condary only

For the cure of the difeafe, no deviation from the
generally received mode of cure is advifed, except it
be with regard to calomel, the employment of which,
however, is lefs novel than the author fuppofes. Oc-
cafional gentle purgatives, with abforbent and aroma¬
tic medicines interpofed, together with minute dofes
of ipecacuanha, are chiefly recommended. A proper
attention to diet conftitutes the fir ft point ; and, above
all, a return to the natural food — the mother’s milk,
where circumftances permit. The belt fubftitute, in
the author’s opinion, is animal food in the form of
broth, or gelly, rather than vegetable ; or, at lead,
the latter fhould be fparingly employed.

M m 4

Art.

364

Art. LIU. Elements of Galvanifm , in Theory and
Practice ,* with a comprehensive View of its Hiforyy
from the fir ji Experiments of Galvani to the prefent
Time. Containing , alfb, practical Directions for
conftructing the Galvanic Apparatus , and plain fyf~
tematic Infractions Jor performing all the various
Experiments. Illujl rated with a great A' umber of

Copperplates. By C. H , Wilkinson, Lecturer
• on Galvanifm in Soho Square , Sic. Stic. 8vo. 2
vols. Price ll Is. London* 1804. Murray.

FROM the title page, given above, it will appear
that the author of the work before us has under¬
taken a tafk of no inconfiderable extent or import¬
ance ; and we may add, that he has performed it with
credit to himfelf, and probably to the fatisfa£tion of
his readers in general. Although the philofophers of
this country have paid much attention to. this new and
intereding branch of fcience, and judly claim the me¬
rit of being the difcoverers of many of the mod im¬
portant fa6ts relating to it, their labours have for the
molt part been laid before the public in detached and
mifcellaneous publications, whilft no connefted and
tolerably complete view of the fubje£t was to be found
in the Englifh language. This defideratum it was the
intention of the prefent work to lupply.

The arrangement of the fubjedf chofen by the au¬
thor is the hidorical ; a method more inte reding to the
dudent, and on that account more ufeful than the
analytical or dri£lly fcientific mode of conveying in-
dru£tion. The general theory is fuperadded to the
detail of fa£ts, from which it is, or ought to be, mere¬
ly a dedu&ion. We {hall not dwell on the hidorical
part of the work, having already, on different occa-
nons, mentioned the principal fafts and opinions as
they have appeared -y and the author does not pretend
to have added materially to the former dock. He
endeavours to demondrate the principles of galvanifm
by thofe of eleftricity, taking tor granted their iden-

* u ■ ’ * - *

WilkinfonV Elements of Galvamfm. 365

tity. His opinions on the latter fubjeCt are different
to thofe generally admitted 5 but as they have been
for feveral years before the public, we fhall notice
them in a very curfory way only.

The author, as before obferved, admits that the
principles of galvamfm and electricity are identicallj
the fame. He confiders eleCtricity as univerfally dif-
fufed through all nature, but not equally ; that thofe
bodies are the beft conductors which contain the
greateff quantity, and thofe the belt non conductors
which contain the leaf!. Thus metallic bodies are
the beft conductors. All fluids, except air and oil, are
alfo conductors. The difpofition in bodies to retain
eleCtricitv he terms their capacity. When conducting
bodies undergo any change, it by fuch change their
capacities become altered, then ftgns of eleCtricity
are evinced.

4 If the change fhould be of fuch a nature, that their
capacity for eleCtricity becomes increafed, their fub-
ftance will be in a ftate of abftraCting it from fur*
rounding bodies, and therefore will evince negative
ftgns ; the fame as frigorific mixtures produce nega¬
tive ftgns of heat.

‘ If, in the change it undergoes, the capacity of
the fubftance for eleCtricity is ditninilhed, it gives out
a portion of its natural quantity, and evinces pofttive
ftgns or a ftate of fuperabundance.

c When any fubftance, in the change it undergoes,
gives out eleCtricity, it becomes proportionately di-
minifhed in its conducting powers; fo, on the con¬
trary, when it acquires an increafe, it iticreafes alfo
its powers as a conductor.

c Thus a metallic fubftance, which is a good con¬
ductor, when oxydated is a very imperfeCt one. In
the change from its reguline ftate to a calx, eleCtricity
is given out.

€ Water, when it forms ftfelf into ice, gives out
eleCtricity; and Achard fays, that ice reduced to 13
degrees below the zero of Fahrenheit becomes fo

great

366 WjlkinfonT 'Elements of G ahanifin,

great a non-conduCfor, as even to be capable of ex¬
citation. Dr. Jujt obferves, that from a cylinder of
ice he has drawn fparks, when at the temperature of
5 degrees below zero.

‘ When water is converted into vapour, its capaci¬
ty for eleCtricity is increafed ; and it is well known
that the conducting power of vapour is fuperior to
that of water.'

The author adopts the opinion, that the phenome¬
na of galvanifm depend on chemical changes, fuch
changes producing an alteration of capacity in bodies.
Galvanifm he fuppofes to differ from common eleClrb
city in mode only; the former confiding in the evo¬
lution of eleCfricity from conducting bodies, forming
one of their condi tuent parts, and difengaged by a
chemical procefs ; while the latter is the fame prin¬
ciple rendered apparent to our fernes by the temporary
change of non-conduCting bodies to a conducting date.
All the operations of eleCtricity, be thinks, are redu¬
cible to the aCtion and re-aCtion between air and the
eleCtric .fluid. The phenomena which have been ge¬
nerally afcribed to the influence of attraction and re-
puliion are here accounted for on dimple mechanical
principles, the mutual impulfe of the air and eleCtric
matter on each other.

RefpeCting the application of galvanifm to medical
purposes, the author is not very diffufe ; but his re¬
marks appear to be made with candour and caution.
The effects it produces in the animal machine he at¬
tributes wholly to its dimulant operation. The fol¬
lowing are his obfervations on the fubjeCt.

The Influence of Galvanifm in Paralytic Affections.
‘ When paralytic affeCtions arife from organic defeCt,
as in cafes of palfy of the lower extremities, from dif-
eafed fpine, no good effeCts can be expeCted to refult
from the application of galvanifm.

g In cafes of hemiplegia, aribng from the preffure
of extravafated fluid in or upon the brain, the ftimu-

lus

367

WilkinfonV Elements of Galvanifm .

lus of galvanifm would, it appears to me, be injuri¬
ous, in confequence of its aCtion increafmg the extra*-
va fat ion. In one cafe, of a perfon about the age of
thirty, of a full plethoric temperament, who fathered
the lofs of the ufe of one of the hides, from an apoplec¬
tic attack, I applied gentle (hocks of galvanifm through
the fide of the brain oppofite to the affeCted part of
the body. Upon the third day, a confiderahle giddb
nefs took place, and the vefhels of the eyes became
turgid. I immediately difeontinued the application,
and in a few days thefe unfavourable fymptoms dilap-
peared.

‘ Thefe cafes are but few in number when compar¬
ed with thofe which arife from a defective energy in
the brain itfelf. In thefe latter inftances galvanifm
has often proved of very conliderable advantage.

4 By the means of galvanifm I have never fucceed-
ed in perfectly refioring the patient to his original fen-
libility ; but have, in many inftances, conliderably
aiTifted the powers of motion.

* The following is the mode I adopt in the ap¬
plication of this principle, fuppofing the right arm
and right leg to be paralyfed: my galvanic battery
having been prepared as before directed, I begin
with about a dozen plates, as in fig. 2, pi. VII. If
one of the wires be applied at B, and another at 2,
the power is in proportion to the number of plates be¬
tween B and 2. The nearer the other wire is placed
towards C, the greater the power. In applying the
conducing wire to the parts of the body through
which the galvanic fhock is intended to be paffed, the
continental practitioners have in general removed the
refilling cuticle by the means of blifiers. In having
recourfe to this application, which is unneceffary, the
excoriated parts buffer greatly from the application of
galvanifm. The above mode was adopted, becaufe,
whenever the conducting wires are applied to the Cu¬
ticle, the refinance through this non-conduC'ting part
is too great to be overcome by fo feeble an intenfity.

€ The

36S Wilkinfonh Elements of Galvanifm .

f The method I employ renders this operation un-
iieeeffary. I fimply nioiflen with water the parts
through which I purpofe ho direft the galvanic fluid*
and afterwards place on each of them a final! piece*
about the fize of a (hilling, of gold leaf or Dutch me¬
tal. On the conducting wires being applied to thefe
fobffances, the circuit Is completed,

* In a cafe of hemiplegia, as before mentioned, a
piece of gold leaf having been applied on the right fide
of the forehead, and another on the arm of the left
fide, as often as the circuit is completed the arm be¬
comes convulfively agitated. During the operation*
one of the conductors fhould be left in contact with
one of the pieces of metallic leaf, while the other
coiiduftor, which is employed to complete the cir¬
cuit, fhould be removed immediately after the con¬
tact is made. The operator fiiould proceed thus for
about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, according*
to the nature of the cafe, and the degree of inflamma¬
tion induced on the parts.

c Very foon after the application of galvanifm, an
areolous rednefs is perceived ; and, if i t be perfevered
in too long, vefications and fubfequent ulcerations are
produced. Thefe fymptoms, which are a little troti-
blefome for the moment, do not require any particu¬
lar treatment in their cure. The part of the body to
which the conducting wire from the copper fide df
the battery is applied is always the moft powerfully
afted ong and if the conducing 'wires be kept in con-
taft with the metallic leaves, for the fpace even df
half a minute, without being removed, the one from
the copper fide will produce an acute pricking fenfa-
tioh, very much refembling the bite of a leech.

‘ In fome cafes, attention ought to be paid to this
difference between the ends of the battery. When it
is wi died to aft on one part of the body more power¬
fully than on the other, the condufting wire from the
copper end fiiould be placed on that particular part.
This difference in power correfponds \yith the effefts

, * experb

369

W ilk infant Elements of Galvatufm, .

experienced from the charged Leyden jar, in the cafe
o! which., the part of the body connected with the ne¬
gative hde of the jar is more powerfully afled on than
the part connected with the pofitive fide. In recent
cafes of hemiplegia, very good effects are foon per¬
ceived : after a few applications, a fen fat ion of return¬
ing warmth is felt; and the adtion of the mufcles of
the arm reftored as often as the circuit is completed.
After the operation, the ufe of the flefh-bruth, perfe-
vered in for about a quarter of an hour, contributes
to re-ehablifh the circulation of the difeafed parts.

* The effedls of this principle, when it is applied to
the human body, are not fo painful as thofe of electri¬
city, notwithdanding its adtions are more powerful.
By preventing the mufcles from remaining condantlyr
in a date of torpid inadlivity, the lofs of fuhdamce
which would otherwife take place is guarded again!!.
The application fhould be made at lead twice a day;
otherwife the intervals will be fo long as to prevent
any good effedls from erifuing.

* In paralytic cafes of the mod di dr effing nature,
condderable relief has been derived from the applica¬
tion of this principle. An individual, aged fixty-
feven, redding in London Street, and well known to
many artids as an eminent lay dgure maker, had la¬
boured under a paralytic attack nearly eighteen
months before his furgeon fent hint to me. All the
ufua! remedies had, as well as eledlricity, been tried
in vain ; infomuch that at the above period he was
fo totally deprived of motion, that he could not rife
from his chair without affidance. He was brought to
my houfe in a coach. For the fpace of about a quarter
of an hour I tranfmitted the power of about twelve
plates through the forehead and the back of the neck.
This mode of application was continued for three or
four days, and the duid afterwards made to pafs from
the forehead through the adedled arm. In lefs than
a fortnight, he had recovered the faculty of motion to
inch a degree, as to be enabled to walk from his own

houfe

$70 Wilkinfon^ Elements of Galvanifm,

houfe to mine, a diftance of at leaft half a mile. In
this frate he remained in a manner flationary ; and al¬
though the galvanifm was {till continued for a month
or fix weeks, dill no perceptible change was obferv-
ed to take place. Whenever he omitted the galva¬
nifm for two or three days, he found himfelf uncom¬
fortable ; and was conilantly perfuaded that, after its
application, his mind was calmed, and not fubjebt to
{ b great a depreffion as is ufual in paralytic patients.
When it is deemed requifite to apply galvanifm to any
part of the body, in the cafe of which neither the
head, nor the brain, enters into the circuit, the gal¬
vanic influence may be very confiderably augmented.
Thus, in a paralytic affebtion of the leg, which it is
intended to galvanize from the knee to the foot, fifty
or fixty plates may be employed, and will, in general,

be found to be attended by good efFebts.’

_ \ , v ,

* ? * V . ■" ,w ■

With refpebt to deafnefs, it is in that particular
fpecies of the malady which depends on defebiive
energy of the auditory nerve that galvanifm is capable
of effecting a cure. * This fpecies of deafnefs,* the
author obferves, ‘ is afcertainable by the common
prabtice of placing a fonorous body in contabl with the
teeth. If the communication of found fhotiid not be
thus rendered more diftinbt, we may conclude that
the defebt originates in the nerve ; feeing that, pro*
vided the deafnefs had been owing to any derange¬
ment of the other parts of the ear, the found, tranf-
mitted by the medium of the teeth through the con-
pebting bony fubflance to the feat of hearing, would
have been diitin&ly perceived.

‘ In feveral cafes, in which the deafnefs feems to
have arifen from a relaxation of the membrana tym-
pani, attended by a diminished fecretion of cerumen,
I have experienced good efFebts from the employment
of galvanifm, which not only induced a grateful warmth
in the meatus, but alfo confiderably augmented the
fecretion of wax.

‘ In

37 1

Wilkin fan \y Elements of Galvanijm.

- * In the infiances in which the deafnefs originating
from an obliteration of the Euftachian tube has been ot
fome duration, beneficial effedds are not, in my opi¬
nion, to be expe£ted to refult from the application of
galvanifm. A mechanical obftruction is then formed,
which might probably be increafed by the continued
employment of a powerful flimulant.* *

In applying galvanifm for the cure of deafnefs, cau¬
tion is neceffary not to ufe too po werful a dim ulus.

‘ In this refpeft, the quantity mull be regulated by the
fenfations. Some perfons fcarcely feel the power of
twenty plates ; while others experience from fuch a
proportion of the fluid a very diftrefling giddinefs. It
is always advifable to begin with the power of a fmall
number of plates. If it be too considerable, a very-
painful fenfation is induced ; but if, on the contrary*
it be fo regulated as to produce fenfible effects only*
the fenfation is then by no means unpleafant, and is
followed by a very agreeable warmth.

£ I have ■ fome times found, that, after. the applica¬
tion has been made for a few days, a painful aching
fenfation has taken place on the fide of the head,.
Having then difeontinued the galvanifm, in a little
time the pain has fubiided, and the deafnefs been en¬
tirely fubdued. v ,

* It frequently happens, that at the commencement

the deafnefs appears to be increafed. This has ex¬
cited fo much terror in the mind of the patient, as to
have prevented him from fubmitting to a repetition
of the treatment. I have, however, confiantly found
this increafed fymptom of ailment to difappear, and
that, by a proper perfeverance, confiderable relief has
in general been derived. , .

* When a remedy is flow in its action, few. perfons
poffefs the refolution to perfift in the ^ trial. They
ought, on the other hand, to confider, that it is much
fafer that the change ihould be- gradually effe61ed,

I than produced by violent means.

c When

372

WilkinfonV Elements of Galvanifnt.

c When one ear only is affe£ted, it is not neceffary
to introduce the apparatus into the meatus of the
other. In thefe caies I have directed its paffage
through the affedfed ear, and to the hand on the
other fide. This is conveniently done by immerfing
the hand in a glafs of water, in which the conducing
wire is placed.'

Application of Galvanifm to Cafes of Weaknefs of
Sight , and of Am aurofls. c I wifh it were in my pow¬
er to fpeafc as favourably of the effe&s of galvanifm in
complaints of the eyes as in thofe of the ears ; but as
yet I have not met with one fuccefsful cafe. I have
tried it both in incipient amaurofis, and in the com¬
pletely formed gutta ferena, without obferving any
favourable change whatever. In the application of
this principle I have adopted every poflible mode, ei¬
ther fuggefted to me by others or conceived by myfelf,
without having been enabled to reap any advantage.
Although Grapengiejfer has published feveral furpriz-
ing inftances of cures in the above complaints, flili,
from the variety of cafes in which I have tried the
galvanic influence for a period of feveral months,
“without having been fo fortunate as to afford any re¬
lief; I now entertain but little hope of its efficacy in
thefe cafes. In chronic ulcerations of the eye-lids I
have been more fuccefsful, by producing a change in
the morbid a£tion of the part. In one cafe of blind-
‘nefs, in which I applied galvanifm for a confiderable
length of time, the patient laboured under old ulcera¬
tions of the legs, which, from the influence of the
galvanifm on the fyftem in general, took a favour¬
able turn, and were in a (hort time completely healed.’

Influence of Galvanifm in Spafmodic Affections, and
in Cafes where there is a Defect of Motion or a Want
of Action, ‘ In involuntary actions of the mufcles, I
know of no remedy fo efficacious as galvanifm. In a
’contraQed flette of the fingers, or hands, however vio¬
lently the latter may beclenched, on the application I
‘of this principle^ for the fpace of a few minutes, it

WilkinfonV Elements of Galvanifm . 37 3

rarely fails to induce a relaxation. In cafes of cramp,
if of long continuance, and even of tetanus, or locked
jaw, it has afforded relief in a fliort fpace of time.
In contractions of the joints, and in all cafes of rigidity*
it will be found a very advantageous ftimulus, which
will greatly contribute to the redoration of motion.

‘ In the fiiffnefs of the joints occafioned by the gout,
it has come under my obfervation that the ftimulus of
galvanifm, conjointly with the flefh-bruftvhas been at¬
tended by the hap pie ft efteCts. It feems to give fuch
a tone to the blood-veffels as to render the circulation
more vigorous. In this date of the difeafe fuch ait
effeCt is very definable.

c Perhaps in no cafe are the advantages of galvanifol
more fenftbly experienced than in indolent tumors, or
fcrophulous fwellings, which have long remained
ftationary. By the influence of this principle, tumors
of this kind have in a few days been brought either
into a ftate of fuppuration or refolution. Many fwell¬
ings are of fuch a nature, that their removal by either
of thefe means is defirable. I have frequently ap¬
plied the galvanic principle with the utmoft fuccefs in
inguinal tumors, which had refilled every other cura¬
tive intention. The obtufe aching fenfation, generally
attendant on thefe indolent tumors, is very fpcedily
removed. In fcrophulous affections of the neck, it
has been found very beneficial.’

Inf uence of Galvanifm in Cafes of Menial Derange¬
ment . f So few are the means we poffefs to relieve
thofe who unfortunately labour under intellectual de¬
rangement, that whatever prefents the fainteft profpeCt
of fuccefs claims the attention of the practitioner. In
the records of the medical application of galvanifm,
two remarkable inftances of its good cffeCts, in mania¬
cal cafes, have been adduced by Aidini. One of them
afforded an infiance of a gradual diminution of the
energies of the mind, which ultimately funk into ftupidi*
ty ; and in the other cafe, which tvas of a direCtly op-

vol. x. N n pofite

374 WilkinfonV Elements of Galvanifm .

pofite nature, the fydem was in a (late of violent ex*
citement, and the patient raving and unmanageable.

‘ Melancholy madnefs is accompanied by an univer-
fal ina£Hvity ; a torpor in the vafcular fyftera ; a pale-
nefs of the countenance ; a coldnefs of the extremities;
a contra£tion and fhrinking of the fkin over the whole
of the furface of the body; a fmailnefs and flownefs
of the pulfe ; a want of appetite ; a deficiency of muf-
cular force ; and a fenfation of languor which over-
fpreads the whole of the frame,

c Thefe fymptoms are the effects of the impreffion
on the mind, whether it be occafioned by grief, for-
row, or fear, and fully demonftrate the reciprocal
action and re-a£tion which exift between the corpo¬
real and vital parts. My very ingenious friend Mr,
Hajlam> in his obfervations on infanity, has, with a
certain fhare of humour, ridiculed the idea of a dif- -
eafe of the mind. The great opportunities he has had
to examine all the varieties of mental derangement,
and the correct deferiptions he has given of them,
perfuade me, notwithdanding, that he mud be con¬
vinced of the a£tions of the vital principle being de¬
ranged in thefe difeafes.

c The opinions of the above phyfiologid border on
materialifm. He fuppofes, with Priefiley, that mat¬
ter may be fo arranged and organized as to be able to
think. This perfuafion, according to him, derives
fome fupport from the difeafed appearances of the
brain ; and to organic affe&ions of this nature he
aferibes the incorrect alfociation of ideas. f

5 If fuch were in reality the cafe, the fame date of
derangement ought to accompany fimilar appearances
of the brain ; but the cafes which Mr. Hajlam has ad¬
duced prove the contrary.

f What the principle of life is, our limited faculties
do not allow us to afeertain. All we know is, that
there is an aftive fomething which does not poffefs
the properties of matter; and that all its laws and
actions arc peculiar to itfelf. To fuppofe that matter

fhould4

Wi4 k i n fo n 's E lemen ts of Galvan ifm . 375

fhould, by any ftate of exility, be capable of fimple
fenfation, would be as difficult as to conceive that mites
are the refult of a fortuitous arrangement of cafeous
particles; or that the elephant is the chance offspring
of the wood he inhabits.

‘ In cafes of mental derangement originating from
the paffions of grief, forrow, or religious fear, and in
which the fyftem has funk into apathy and dulnefs,
the ftimulus of galvanifm affords fome profpeft of fuc-
cefs, more efpecially if the patient be not advanced in
years. It is in general fuppofed, that deranged per¬
sons require the aftion of more powerful ftimuli on
their refpe&ive organs than perfons in a Hate of fanity,
Mr. Hajlam has however proved, that a difference
is not requisite in the dofes of medicines adminiftered
to them; although it has been ufually remarked, that
they fuffer lefs from operations performed upon them
than other individuals.

c In one of the.cafes Aldini has defcribed,he employ¬
ed a pile confifting of eighty pairs of filver and zinc
plates. Its application was dire&ed through the
upper part of the head, one of the hands being placed
in a glafs of fait and water. At the end of two or
three days, the patient fmiled, as if to denote that the
fenfation was pleafurable. After a few days had
elapfed, the head was fhaved above the frontal futures,
and molftened with fait and water. The galvanifm
having been directed for feveral days through this
part, in a little time the patient recovered.

€ From the effe&s I have noticed in the applica¬
tion of galvanifm to the brain, I fhould not be induced
to employ, at the commencement, fuch a feries of
plates as the above. It is better to be flow and gra¬
dual in augmenting their number, than to fubjeft the
brain to too violent an a&ion.

‘ In the fpecies of delirium which is termed hypo¬
chondriacs, in which a number of fymptoms, evincing
a deranged Hate of bodily health, occur, before any
alienation of reafon takes place, the ftimulus of gal-

Nn 2 ‘ ' vanifm

376

PopV Reflections on Dropftj .

vanifm promifes confiderable fuccefs. The fymptoms
indicate a difordered ftate ofthe ftomach and inteftines;
flatulency ; a fenfation of fuffocation ; and an acidity,
connected in general with a coftive habit. In this
cafe gentle fhocks of galvanifm, fent through the
ftomach and diaphragm, may tend to correct thefe
morbid aftions.

4 In the diftrefling complaints to which females are
fo very fubjedf, and which are ufually termed nervous
headachs, attended by a violent oppreflive fenfation
over the eyes, together with naufea, and an almoft en¬
tire inability of motion, I have derived the greateft
advantage from the employment of galvanifm, by
direfting the power of about a dozen plates through
the temples.

c In a cafe of idiotical derangement, of nearly ten
years Handing, originating from a fuppreffed mercurial
aftion, I tried the effefl of powerful fhocks through
the brain for fome weeks, without obferving any
particular advantage/

The author thinks that galvanifm might be of ufe

in reftorins- fufpended animation.
o L

Art. LIV. Reflections on Dropfy. By Fr.Al. Pop,

M.D.

(From The Magazine for the Improvement of the Healing Art, by
Roefchlaub , Profeffor ofPhyiic at Bamberg.')

THE author of this work is one of the many con¬
tinental praftitioners who have adopted the
fyftem of the late Dr. John Brown in its, fulled extent \
and it would be impoffible to comprehend his theory
without well underftanding the doftrines upon which
it is founded. As we have often had occafion to
comment on this fyftem, and as we prefnme that its
merits and defefhs are already fufficiently known to
the generality of Britifh praflitioners, we fhall proceed
diredtly to give an analyfis of the work before us; and

though

■PopT Reflections on Dropfy . 377

though we do not entirely agree with its author,

S£ that the dropfy is one of thofe difeafes the pheno¬
mena of which are beft explained upon the principles
of this popular fyftem,” we muft do him the juftice to
acknowledge, that he has treated the fubjeff with
confiderable ingenuity both in his theoretical difquifi-
tions into the caufes of the difeafe, and in the elaborate
defcription he has given of its Symptoms, their Several
combinations, and the modus operandi of the means he
has recommended for their removal. While the
lovers of theory will here find much to intereft them

in the perufal, the practical reader will not be altoge¬
ther difappointed.

In the firft fe&ion, M. Pop preSents us with a gene¬
ral view of the difeafe according to the peculiar prin¬
ciples he adopts. The dropfy, he fays, effentially de¬
pends upon an univerfal debility affe&ing all the
organs of the body. Its diftinftive chara&er is the
effufion of an aqueous fluid into the cellular membrane,
or other cavities of the body, in confequence of an
atony of the exhalant vefleis. Infants, youth, and
adults, are equally liable to thefe efFufions in the varb
ous cavities of the body, and which take their Specific
denominations from the * Several organs which they
occupy. He remarks, that the precurfory Signs of this
effufion, in any particular part of the body, are certain
uneafineffes, which are felt for an indefinite length of
time, and of which the nature may be more or lefs
ailhenic ; that the developement of the tumour fre¬
quently brings with it fome relief of thefe uneafy fenfa-
tions, but that the fvmptoms are fpeedily aggravated,
and the powers of the body more or lefs rapidly
diminished ; that Symptoms refembling thofe of malig- r
nant fever Supervene ; and the cataftrophe is complet¬
ed by the Suffocation of the patient. On opening the
bodies of fuch after death, the whole of the cellular
membrane is found infiltrated with an aqueous fluid ;
the glands and the liver indurated, and often Suppurat¬
ed, and polypi are not unfrequently found in the

N n 3 larger

378

PopV Reflections on Dropfy.

larger blood-veflels, as well as offifications In various
parts of thefe organs. The confidence of the blood itfelf
is more or lefs altered, according to the degree of
the difeafe, and the intenfity of its caufes. The effuf-
ed fluid is, for the mod part, ferous, notwithftanding
it frequently prefents material differences both in
colour and confidence, as well as in the acrimony of
its quality, which, like the other varieties above men¬
tioned, will be found to depend principally upon the
duration of the effufed matter in the cavity which con-
tained it. In proportion as the fymptoms mentioned
become more formidable, all the fecretions are dimi-
nifhed; hence arife the fcarcity of urine, drynefs of
the fkin, third, &c. The author then enumerates cer¬
tain incidental fymptoms, fuch as pains of the head,
colicky affe&ions, condipation, impeded refpiration,
and others, which, not being neceflarily conne&ed
with the difeafe in quedion, might have been omitted
without injury to the work. - 3

Sect. 2 treats of the Caufes of Dropfy; and on this
part of the fubjedt M. Pop has acquitted himfelf with
great ability. An infinite number of lymphatic veffels,
he obferves, communicate with, and open themfelves
everywhere into, the cavities of the cellular membrane,
and depofit therein a fluid in the form of vapour, of
which the chief purpofe appears to be, to maintain
the flexibility of the parts, and to obviate the incon¬
veniences of collifion. Other veffels of the fame order
terminate upon the furfaces of thefe cavities, for the
purpofe of carrying back into the mafs of the blood
the fuperabundant parts of the fluid previoufly depofit-
ed. Both fets of veffels perform their refpedtive func-
tions as long as they remain in a date of integrity ;
that is to fay, while no external caufe has affefted
morbidly their organization, or while their feveral
actions have not been impeded or deranged by the
atony of the general fydem.

It has been generally, though according to our
author erroneoufly, fuppofed, that in anafarca the cel¬
lular

PopV Reflections on Dropfy . 379

lular membrane of the body has loft its tone and
vigour, as if the affedtion was peculiar to this mem¬
brane ; but he obferves, the tone and power which
are here fpoken of belong to the whole of the fyftem,
in common with the cellular tiffue, and that they can¬
not be diminiftied in this organ without the reft of the
body participating in the lofs of force and energy. If
it be afked, how it happens that this diminiftied ener®
gy appears much more ftrongly marked in the cellular
membrane than in other parts of the body under a
general hydropic affection of the fyftem, the reply is as
Follows : The vital powers, he fays, are diftributed
over the whole of the body ; but it is probable that,
at the commencement of life. Nature may not have
adopted a ftridt equality in their diftribution ; and
that the cellular membrane has been lefs bountifully
fupplied than many other parts of the animal machine :
when, therefore, from whatever caufe, the fenfo-
rial power is diminiftied, it is perfedlly obvious that
this diminution muft (hew itfeif rather in this than
in any other organ of the body ; and that the whole
fyftem of its veftels, whether their fundtions be to
exhale or to abforb, ftiould evince an atonic ftate ;
while other parts of the body ftill preferve a certain
condition of tone and energy.

Sometimes tbefe veftels have fo far loft their tone,
that no ftimulus is capable of re-eftablifhing it, or
of routing them to adtion. This lofs of power by
no means disqualifies them from continuing the
effufion of the fluid which it is their office to lupply
to the cells of the adipofe membrane, and the other
cavities to which they are diftributed : on the contrary,
this effufton is thereby augmented, as is proved by the
increafed quantity of fluid which is found in the peri¬
cardia of perfons dying of chronic difeafes. Thus
while the atonic ftate of the above mentioned veftels
favours the accumulation of fluid iu the feveral ca¬
vities of the body, it takes away at the fame time the

N n 4 • faculty

380 Pop ' s Reflections on Dropfy ,

faculty of re-abforbing it, from tbofe defined to per¬
form this important function.

The difpofilion to a general hydropic diathefis of
the fyflem, according to M. Pop, depends,

I mo. Upon a diminution of the turn total of direct
ftimuli j fuch as, want of due nourifliment, arifing from
aliments defe6tive in their nutrient power ; deficit
encv of heat, from whatever caufes, and alfo de¬
ficiency of oxygene ; the interruption of any accuf-
tomed mufcular exercifes ; the abfence of agreeable
fenfatiofls, and more particularly depreffion of mind ;
too confiderable a diminution of the volume of blood,
the ilimulus of which was neceffary to the integrity
of the fenforial power > defeff of bile, or of the gaftric
or feminal fluids ; 8tc. &c, All thefe he fuppofes to
be fo many circumftances powerfully di-fpofing the
body to a date of relaxation, which leads to the attack
of dropfy. *

2do, Too great an intenfity in the affion of ftimm
lant powers : fuch are, violent inflammatory difeafes*
although of fhort duration* thus peripneumony, efpe-
dally in fubje£ts already enfeebled by other caufes, very
frequently lays the foundation of ferous effulion. The
fame efFe£l refults from other flhenic difeafes, of which

the nature and caufes are lefs violent * thofe, for example,
which arife from the abufe of fpirituous liquors and
highly -feafoned food, efpecially in plethoric habits ;
from certain paflions of the mind, fuch as anger, &c.*
and from long-continued and profound mental
application, &c. &c. Thefe caufes produce various
fymptoms charafleriflic of general debility of the
iydem, proportioned to the degree of energy with which
their adion has been accompanied : they conflfl, chief¬
ly, in a fhort and difficult refpiration ; a languid circula¬
tion * a derangement in therunfiions of the liver, and
other fecretory organs * cough * fuppreffion of the raen-
ftrual difcharge * various fpafmodic affefUons * exan¬
themata ; haemorrhoidal congedion ; general cachexy ;
paralyfis, &c. This condition of thefyfiem, if

left

fever

881

PopV Reflections on Dropfy .

left to itfelf cr injudicioufly treated, produces in the
end that atony of the exhalant and abforbent veffels,
ot which dropfy is the confequence.

It is principally am on git the poorer claffes of people,
and in thofe individuals who foolidily abandon them-
felves to the grofs empiricifm of combating every fpecies
of mal; ady by bleeding and purgative medicines, that
this atHiHing difeafe is mod frequently found.

Sect. 3. Divijion of Dropfy* Our author divides the
difeafe into general and local ; and into fknple and
complicated, or double.

In general dropfy the whole organization of the
body, undergoes a morbid change. He calls it flmple,
when the effufion does not extend itfelf beyond the
fuperficial cellular membrane : this fpecies he has
charaHerifed by the already known appellations of
oedema , leucophlegmatia , and anafarca.

He calls the difeafe double, when, together with
the effufion into the cellular membrane, water is found
in any other cavity of the body. Another diftinc-
tion is made under the denomination of triple dropfy,
which is defcribed as a combination of anafarca, with
an effufion into the two cavities of the abdomen and
thorax.

The difeafe is called complicated , when accompa¬
nied with f'pina-bijida, or hydrocephalus j with a ge¬
neral affe£lion of the fyflem, or with double dropfy „

Of the Prognojlic. The author commences this
part of his fubje£f with obferving, that dropfy is by
no means fo dangerous a difeafe as has generally been
conceived ; that patients labouring under it do not
fuffer confiderably ; and that the change which their
organization undergoes during its progrefs is effefted
In a very flow and gradual manner. It may be faid,
generally, that this difeafe is but little dangerous if
the caufes producing it have not been applied with
confiderable violence, and in long duration j and alfo
if the degree of ailhenie diatheiis has not been carried
to an extreme length.

S82

Fops Reflections on Dropfy.

It may be pronounced dangerous, on the contrary*
when the caufes of the difeafe, either per fe , or
under the aggravation of ill-applied treatment, have
been long continued, and have confiderably diminifh-
ed the vital energy of the fylfem. Again; it is abso¬
lutely to be pronounced mortal, when thefe caufes
have either augmented or exhauffed the fenforial pow¬
er to that point, where either, on the one hand, the vis
vitce is exhauffed, or where, on the other, this power is
fo exceffively accumulated, as to be readily deffroyed
by the adlion of the mo ft feeble ftimulant. It may in
general be afferted, that the more the fum of this pow«
er is augmented in the fyffem at large, the nearer the
excitability of the abforbent veffels will approach to
that point at which the moff moderate ftimulant pow¬
er will be fufficient to extinguifh the principle of life
in thofe organs. Hence the prognoftic varies extreme¬
ly according to the various degrees of the difeafe.

General dropfy is not ordinarily, and of itfelf, a
very dangerous malady : fimple oedema, produced
by external caufes, is abfolutely of little or no import¬
ance : anafarca merits more attention, on account of
its greater extent : and afcites mult be allowed to be
a formidable difeafe, both from the preffure it occa-
lions upon organs of the firft importance, and from its
general influence upon the animal (Economy.

The more or lefs complicated hate of the difeafe, of
courfe, materially affe£ts the prognofis. The periods
of early and advanced life afford circumffances equally
unfavourable to a fuccefsful iffue of the difeafe. In
the firft cafe, this happens from the direct debility
and the confequent accumulation of the fenforial pow¬
er , in the other, from the diminution of this power,
and the oppolite ltate of indirect debility : the in¬
fant, on account of the accumulated fufceptibility to
the aftion of flimulant powers of moderate energy;
and advanced age, on the contrary, affording but a
feeble re-a6tion to thofe of the moff confiderable force,
are equally, in the opinion of our author, difadvam

tageous

383

Pop’s Reflections on Dropftj.

iageous in regard to the cure. He considers the dif¬
eafe, when it occurs in fubjecls of middle or adult
age, as more manageable by the praftitioner ; as being
an age lefs rebellious to the fyftem of remedies which
his view of the difeafe leads him to adopt, and in which
the ftimulant plan may be carried, with fafety, to a
much greater length than in the above mentioned
cafes. It mu ft be obierved, however, that a variety
of circumftances may occur, which place perfons of
any age between the extremes of infancy and the de¬
cline of life upon a footing with thofe whofe condition
is the leaft favourable to the action of ftimulant pow¬
ers, more efpecially if thefe be applied with an incau¬
tious and too energetic hand.

The phyfician, hejuftly remarks, in forming his
prognoftic, ftiould well conftder the nature of the dif¬
eafe which may have preceded the dropiica! affection ;
the difficulty of the cure of which will be in a great
meafure governed by the pre-exifting circumftances,
of which the dropfy may be either entirely the confe-
quence, or from which it may have inherited its moft
inveterate fyrnptoms. Thus a dropfy Supervening*
upon an intermittent fever is likely to be of much
eaftef cure than that' which fucceeds to an affection
of the cheft, or hypochondriurn. In general, when
the difeafe has arifen folely from that fpecies of debi¬
lity which our author terms indirect, a better hope is
to be entertained of the fuccefsful iffue of the treat¬
ment, than when it has drawn its origin from the other
Tiate of pofitive and direcl debility. In the cautious-
prognoftic, alfo, which the fed ate and judicious prac¬
titioner will make, he ftiould take into confideration
all the concomitant fyrnptoms of the difeafe. Moft
ftates of morbid a£iion, under all the different fhades
of increafed or diminifhed excitement, offer a variety
of fyrnptoms, which may be miftaken for thofe legiti¬
mately attached to the difeafe in queftion; for inftance,
the fame diminifhed energy of the fyftem which lays
the foundation of dropfy is fometimes accompanied

with

384

PopV Reflections on Dropfy *

with flatulencies, which have been confounded with
tympanitic affedlion, although this complication is ex¬
tremely rare. Thefe fymptoms announce always that
the mifehief is very widely extended, and cannot fail
greatly to increafe the fatal tendency of the difeafe.

Of the Treatment of Dropfy. The author, in his
therapoeia , proceeds to make the following obferva-
tions on the fele&ion and application of the remedies
beft adapted to the purpofes of cure. Taking it for
granted that general dropfy fuppofes a (late of univer-
fal debility in the fyftem, he concludes that it demands
the ufe of general tonic and ftimulant medicines i ob-
ferving that, whether the debility be direct or indi-
re£f, can only refpect the modification of the remedies
to be employed in removing it; whole tingle obje£l it
is to increafe the excitement, and to re-eftablith the
4imini llied energy of the fyftem at large, as well as of
thofe organs which may be more immediately the feat
of the difeafe.

As to the application of thefe principles, the author
has given the following claflification of the means
which have hitherto principally been adopted in the
treatment.

lmo, Evacnants : amongft thefe is reckoned blood¬
letting, as making a part of the ordinary treatment of
dropfy. Purgatives of a variety of deferiptions, but
particularly thofe termed draftlc, are next in the order
of arrangement ; as refin of jalap, gamboge, calomel,
aloes, cream of tartar, &;c. Of Emetics , we have
emetic tartar, ipecacuanha, hellebore, preparations
of copper, fquill, and colchicum. Sudoriflcs j fuch
as Mindererus’s fpirit, the warm fand bath, camphor,
antimonials, the rob and infufion of elder, &c. Dm -
retie drinks ; as folutions of cream of tartar, infufions
of the bark of elder, vegetable acids diluted, &c.

2do, Saline rejdhents. Amongft thefe he counts
the eftential fait of tartar, oxymel, nitre diffolved in
infufion of chamomile, &c.

3tio, An -

385

PopV Befiections on Dropfy,

3 1 io. Antacids. The bile, bitters, foap, and the al¬
kalis ; iron, earths, borax.

4to, Diluents or fzveeteners. The author under this
elafs particularly mentions an infufion of malt, mixed
with milk and a little chocolate.

5 to, AntifpafmodicSy as the warm bath : opium
alone, or mixed with other medicines of this clafs ;
of which, however, great care fhould be taken not to
eftablifli an habitual ufe. The belladonna .

6to, Irritants , as blifters ; eleCtricity ; the load -
/tone; incifions ; moxa ; cupping ; frictions; exercifer.

7mo, and laftly. Tonics. The cinchona, oak bark,
preparations of iron, wine, orange flowers, nutritious
food, eggs, cold bath, &c.

The author exprefles his furprife, and anticipates
that of his readers, at feeing evacuant remedies oc¬
cupy the firft rank in the modus medendi of this dif»
eafe ; and regrets that it has been for a long time the
foie means in which practitioners have placed any
confidence. We mud, however, challenge him as an
unfit and incompetent juror to decide upon the quan¬
tum met ue runt ofEnglifh practitioners on the fubjeft-:
to the fanguinary practice of his neighbours his obser¬
vations are perhaps more juftiy applicable. The prac¬
tice was, to bleed in thofe cafes of dropfy which arofe
from intemperate living, and the abufe of flimulants;
as plethora was confidered to be the caufe of the dif-
cafe, which it could, however, no other wife produce*
according to Dr. P., than in an indireCt manner. The
following obfervation feems to be important, as it ap¬
plies to the projluvia in general, and with refpeCf to
the hdcmorrhagic clafs in particular ; namely, u that
veflels which are in a ftate of increafed excitement
never fuffer their more denfe fluids to efcape, except
in cafes of aCIual rupture.” If this be true, it fur-
nifhes a ftrong prefumption in favour of the propriety
of treating the greater part of difeafes con lifting in
extravafated fluids (whether the effulion be of blood,
' or any other kind) by tonic means. This has been fo

far

386 Pop's Reflections on Dropjfl

far from the general practice, that, tiil at leaf! of late
years, they have almod univerfally been confidered.
more efpecially thofe of the fanguineous kind, as dif-
eafes of increafed tone and adlion of the veffels, and
the antiphlogiftic mode of treatment has generally
been adopted for their removal.

Dr. P. farther obferves, that, when the body is in
a found date, the veifels poffefs a certain degree of
contradfility, which is augmented by the attack of
any fthenic difeafe, and which neceffarily oppofes it-
feit ltill more to the extravafation of their contents ;
when, on the contrary, they are in a date of atony,
the fluids eafily efcape out of their cavities. He
feems to think, that bleeding and purging fhouki
make no part of the treatment of dropfy; and re¬
marks, with regard to thefe evacuations, that the
happy effedfs which have appeared to fome practi¬
tioners to refult from this pradiice proves only that the
perfons who underwent it had dill fufScient drength
remaining to refill the pernicious effects which, in his
view of the difeafe, it feems calculated to produce ; in-
fiding upon it, that in all cafes where the powers of
the fydem, and its excitability, have been extremely
reduced, the debilitating method of treatment muff of
neceflity produce the mod fatal confequence.

It might here be afked, on the fuhjedl of purging at
lead, if this is always to be confidered as a debilitat¬
ing operation ? We are convinced from repeated ex*
perience that it is not; and even in certain cafes, and
efpecially thofe of an hydropic nature, where a de¬
gree of fatigue and laflitude might refult from the ope¬
ration of a brifk purgative, we prefume to conclude,
that the advantages likely to be derived from routing
into adVion the whole fydem of abforbent veffels, co¬
vering fo large a furface as that of the intedinal canal,
will be found more than fufficient to counterbalance
its temporary debilitating effeff ; which, if it beat all
produced, and this is by no means condantly the cafe,,
is of a nature that may eafily be relieved by the admi-
V- • nidrat^pm

Pop Reflections on Dropfy* 3 87

ni ft rat ton of any cordial medicine and a few drops of
laudanum.

There are other evacuant medicines which Dr. P.
admits to be ufeful, inafmuch as they combine with
their evacuant powers a confiderable ftimulant opera¬
tion. He alludes here to the clafs of emetics and fti-
dorifics, which, on account of the powerful ftioiulus
they excite, may fometimes roufe into action the
lymphatic and exhalant veffels, and relax the fpafm
of the fecretory organ, which originates in the gene¬
ral atony of the fyftem. If this fpafm be removed
from the internal parts rather than thofe of the fur-
face, the action of the fecretory organs is re-eftablifhed,
and a confiderable diurelis is produced ; if, on the
contrary, the {kin ftrft becomes relaxed, fweating is
the confequence : thus, he obferves, the fame medi¬
cine which, in the cafe of indireft afthenia, would do
mifchief by the evacuation which it occafions, would,
in the other ftate of afthenia, namely, the direct
prove a powerful and ufeful ftimulant remedy. Far¬
ther, he obferves, that every fudoridc medicine may
a £t as a diuretic ; but, if it be employed in too frpall
a dofe, it may produce a ftate of dirett debility, and
confequently aggravate the difeafe.

The other methods of treatment with refolvent, di¬
luent, and antacid remedies, fhew, in the author’s
opinion, the falfe ideas which have been entertained
upon the nature of the difeafe, and of the effects of
the remedies beft adapted to cure it.’ In fa£t, the glu¬
tens, the acidities, and the divers acrimonies which
have been fuppofed to coagulate the humours of the
body, or in various ways to alter them, cannot exift,
according to our author, in the living body while its
organs are duly excited by their natural ftimulant pow¬
ers : but when this condition, effential to' the health
and vigour of the fyftem, has undergone a change ;
when the fenlbrial power has been co'nfumed beyond
its due bounds by the excefs of any ftimulant power;
when the excitability is menaced with approaching

388 PopV Reflections on Dropjy.

total deftruftion, and the excitement can no longer
fuftain itfelf in a juft meafure ; it is not to be wonder¬
ed at that the humours of the body fhould undergo a
change, and that they fhould contra£t different che¬
mical qualities incompatible with, the condition of
health and the ordinary and natural wants of the body ;
but it is perfectly evident that thefe alterations are
only the effects, and by no means the caufes, of dif-
eafe.

The antifpafmodic, ftimulant, and tonic method is
con fid ere d by Dr. P. as the only rational fyftem found¬
ed upon the true nature and etiology of the difeafe ;
but he remarks, that thofe who follow it are not ab
ways agreed about the mode of aft ion of their reme¬
dies ; nor do they appear to him to have formed a per¬
fect idea of the fpafmodic affeff ions' 'with which they
have to contend. They give antifpafmodics, fays he,
to re-eftabliffi the funQions of the lymphatic fyftem,
which they fuppofe labouring under fpafms ; they
give ftirauknts to produce a tranfitory re-abforption,
or to effefl a metaftafis ; and, in the end, they give to¬
nics to relieve the atony, which they do not at all con-
fider as the caufe, but merely as a confequence, of
the difeafe. M. P., therefore, proceeds to give his
own fyftem of treatment, as well as the principles upon
which he has founded it; in which we fhall follow
him with as much minutenefs as the limits of our work
will permit.

He obferv^s, that the true character of dropfy is
afthenic, and that every afthenie ft ate requires the
ufe of ftimulant medicines, of which the effeft fhould
be proportioned to the degree of fenforial power actu¬
ally exifting ; having fpecial reference to the conftder-
ation, whether it has been diminifhed by previous
excefs of excitement, or whether, by the want of this,
the excitability be in a ftate of accumulation.

We fhould therefore take into confideration, lft,
the fum of the excitability; and, 2dly, the force of
the ftimulating powers to be employed ; the modifica¬
tions

389

PopV Reflections on Dropfy .

lions of which they are fufceptible by afifociation with
other medicines, as well as by different acceffory cir-
cumftances, fuch as the various epoques of the dif-
eafe, certain affeflions of the mind, nourifhment, &c. ;
and, finally, the dofes which finould be adminiftered.

The action of a determinate ftimulant power upon
a fum, of the fenforial power equally determinate will
produce, he fays, a certain quantity of excitation,
which may be either too moderate and feeble, or in
too high a degree.

Aqueous and acid drinks ; the neutral falts ; alka¬
line folutions made in infufions of liquorice, fugar, or
chamomile; whey; foap; oxymel; fixed air; the
infufion of ipecacuanha; the rob of elder, juniper,
and rhubarb; the cold bath: thefe, according to the
author, are ftimuli capable of producing a degree of
excitement fuificiently powerful, and particularly upon
the younger fubjefts of the difeafe : with adults, he
thinks they may fometimes excite an aftion fo much
too feeble, as, inftead of producing benefit, might
confiderably aggravate the difeafe, by adding to the
exifting direft afthenia which occafions it. For this
defcription of patients, he obierves, an excitation
more confiderable, and better adapted to their ex¬
citability, may be obtained by the ufe of bitters, an-
timonial medicines, aloes, calomel, gamboge, &c.
& c., provided that they be not adminiftered in fuch
dofes as to excite alvine evacuations. To this clafs
of remedies may be added, infufion of the juniper,
fquiil, iron, hark, and the warm bath. He remarks,
that a confiderable and beneficial excitement may
eafily be produced by fpirits of hartfhorn, camphor,
cicuta, opium, and belladonna ; care being taken, in
the mean time, to proportion their dofes to the age
and other circumftances of the patient: always keep-'
ing in view this important obfervation, that the fame
medicine which produces upon an adult that degree
of excitement which is fuited to the fcope of the cu¬
rative indication in his own cafe, might be utterly ..in-

vfL. x. O o fufficient

390

PopV Reflections on Bropfy .

fufficient to fulfil its purpofe in that of a perfon of
more advanced age; while in an infant this moderate
degree of the action of anv of the above mentioned

- o ■* . '

powders would be fufficient not only to terminate any
ilhenic affection, but would operate even to the ex-
hauftion of its fenforial power, in fuch a degree as to
precipitate it into a (late of confiderable indirect debi-

lity. '

The combination of medicines is found to modify,
and even to alter, their effect : the objedl of this com¬
bination of remedies is either to moderate their firit
impreffion, which might be too powerful, or to aug¬
ment or diminirh their addon : thus the corrofive fub-
limate ought to be mixed with a large portion of wa¬
ter ; the refins with faponaceous fubitances ; the fquili
with opium, wine, or aromatics ; opium itfelf requires
to be diffufed in a certain quantity of fluid, in order to
produce a diuretic effedt, when the fenforial power of
the fyftem is accumulated to a certain point : but,
perhaps, the happieft effedis of certain mixtures of
fubftances which are known to have oppofite qualities
have been entirely owing to chance. The phyfician
who prefcribed thefe combinations could not have
forefeen their effedis, which, from various authorities,
have often been found to be very prejudicial. In ge¬
neral, thefe farraginous compounds are tried by the
leafl fkilful practitioners of the art of medicine ; and, if
chance ordain in any inftance a fuccefsful iffue, he is
fare to attribute it to his own fagacity, carefully con-,
cealing, in the mean time, any mention of the other
experiments of this kind, the refidts of which have
been unfuccefsful or pernicious.

M. P. enforces farther the neceffity of accommodat¬
ing the dofe and power of his medicines to the flate
of the patient’s excitability, and infills ftrongly on the
impropriety of adminiflering aloes, rhubarb, & c. in
fuch dofes as to excite any confiderable adlion of the
inteflinal canal. He feems to think opium a remedy,
of all others, bell, adapted to relieve the moft urgent

fymptoms

391

Pop’s Reflections on Dropfy.

lymptoms of afthenia; and, in conjunction with other
fudorific and diuretic medicines, afterts that it has won®
derful efficacy, in the cure of dropfy.

The author mentions a fort of natural cure of dropfy,
which not unfrequentiy takes place under the entire
negleCl of all rational treatment, and, indeed, which
feems, in his opinion, to arife out of the oppoiite and
moil reprehenfible method. He fays, that thofe who
combat the difeafe (and the obfervation applies to all
afthenic cafes as well as to dropfy) by mild or debili¬
tating remedies, fuffer the fenforial power to accumu¬
late to fuch a degree, that the natural agents of the
body, by a favourable exertion of their influence,
feeble as their ilimulus may be, are frequently found
to re-eftabliih the patient in a (late of health. He
mentions, as an inllance of this, a cafe of anafarca of
long Handing, which cured itfelf with no other helps
than thofe of favourable weather and good living.

M. Pop particularly infills upon the combination of
jftimulant medicines with thofe of the diuretic clafs,
beginning with fmail dofes, and gradually augmenting
them to produce a more powerful excitement, which
fhall extend itfelf by flow degrees to all parts of the
fyftem. For this purpofe, he ftrongly recommends
turpentine, aloes, and opium, combined with a cordial
regimen, as preferable to all others. To the former
he is particularly partial, confidering it to be aseflential
and fpecific in the cure of dropfy, as mercury in the
lues venerea. It is, according to him, and he fpeaks
from pofitive experience, that fpecies of ftimulant,
whofe a&ion correfponds beil with the degree of ex¬
citability which charaClerifes the hydropic diathefis.
After having perfevered forfome time in its ufe, he has
been in the habit of aflbeiating with it, firft opium, and
afterwards aloes, fo as to excite fome moderate re¬
action of the inteflinal canal, and to effeCt a more ge¬
neral and equal excitement in the fyftem.

To determine the dofes, and the moil convenient
combination of medicines, our author again reverts to

O q % the

392 Pop's Reflections on Dropfy.

the confideration of the difeafe under its two general
forms, of dire£l and indiredt afthenia ; and of each
form he conftitutes three degrees. Thefe he divides
in the following manner. The third degree of direct
afthenia he fixes at the higheft point to which the
excitability afcends ; it is lefs than the fecond, which
is in like manner lefs than the firft degree. The de¬
grees of indirect afthenia he arranges in the inverfe
order of the former ; that is to fay, the firft degree is
that immediately below the dire<T afthenia, &c. &c.

In the diredlly pradtical part of his work, Dr. F.
dwells much upon the efficacy of turpentine, which
enters into his treatment of almoft every fpecies of
the difeafe. In the loweft degree of indiredt debility
he advifes about fix drops of the oleum terebin-thinae
to be taken three or four times in a day ; and fome-
times he recommends the third part of a grain of
opium to be joined with this dofe : this quantity of
both medicines fhould be gradually increafed accord¬
ing to the fcate of the patient, adding occaftonally
from a grain to three or four grains of aloes. He con-
feffes, with proper candour, that the dirediions which
he has given are fufficient only to confirm the princi¬
ple he has adopted, and to diredt the pradtitioner in
his general route as to the mode of treatment which
he has founded upon it. With refpedl to the detail,
the dofes of the various medicines he has recommend¬
ed, their feveral combinations, and the different mo¬
difications of them, adapted to the exifting circum-
ftances of the moment, thefe, he obferves, muft be left
to the difcretion of the fuperintendant $ ftill preffing
upon his obfervation the important confideration,
of nicely diftinguifhing between the different fpecies
of afthenia of which the difeafe may confift, and upon
which difcrimination the fuccefsful iffue of his own
treatment muft entirely depend.

The author has given eight cafes of fuccefsful treat¬
ment of the difeafe, in confirmation of his dodtrines re-
fpeSing it. In the firft of them, in an infant of two years

old,

393

PopV Reflections on Dropfy.

oJd, the dropfy was preceded by a cough and profufe
diarrhoea, accompanied with heat, third, and other
febrile fymptoms. The cure was effected by fmall
dofes of laudanum and a liberal diet, affifted by friCtions
of the foies of the feet and lower belly with a terebin-
thinate liniment : there was reafon to believe that the tur¬
pentine, though ufed only externally, was too powerfully
ftimulant in this cafe j its ufe was therefore fufpended.
The author attributes the cure principally to the effeCt
of the diuretic and tonic aCtion of the opium, and
the ftimulant aliments employed.

The fecond cafe was in a man of forty- five years old.
The difeafe was the effeCt of fatigue, after a long
journey on foot, in wet weather. The fymptoms were
principally thofeof general laffitude, pain of the head,
diarrhoea, and a bitter tafte in the mouth, with a drop-
heal fwelling of the extremities. Refolvent medicines
were tried without effeCt, and the anafarcous fwelling
extended over the whole of the body. The patient re¬
mained feveral months in this hate, and was confidered
to be incurable. Dr. P . preferibed for him the fol¬
lowing medicine. R. Opii pur . g. vj. Flor. futph.
lav. %/s. 01. terebinth, gutt . xx. Thefe were divided
into lix dofes, mixed with half an ounce of fugar ; and
the patient took one dofe every morning and evening.
A complete cure was effected by thefe means.

The fixth cafe was one of afeites, which in fix
weeks was effectually cured by the following prescrip¬
tion. R. Terebinth. Venet. in VitelL ovi folut. %fs.
Extr , Aloes %fs. Cinchona % i. Op. grs. xv.fi ant pi tula
ana gr . ij\ quorum cegerjumat vj ter die. The dofe was
gradually augmented, and accompanied with frictions,
exercife, and a liberal diet.

In the laft cafe the difeafe was produced by the con¬
tinued application of cold in a poor woman aged thirty-
eight. The fwelling firft took place in the feet, and after¬
wards extended itfelf, till the belly became tumefied, the
refpiration impeded, and general dropfy fupervened.
This increafed, notwithftanding the ufe of feveral brifk

O o 3 purgatives.

394 Sawrey on the Effects of the Venereal Poifon .

purgatives. The fwelling of the belly, with confider-
able pain, and flatulency, and exceffive thirft, ftill
harafied the patient. The cure commenced with fix
drops of the Oleum Terebinth . three times a day.
In the fpace of fix days the patient was confiderably
relieved, and in a fhort time afterwards was fufficient-
]y recovered to be able to return to her ufual employ¬
ment. In this cafe, nothing but the oil of turpentine
was adminiftered, and the cure feemed to have been
entirely effedted by its diuretic operation, as, with*
in a fhort interval, fhe had evacuated no lefs than
thirty-fix pints of urine.

The extent to which we have carried our analvfis

ofM. Pops work prevents us from adding much in
the way of general observation with refpect to its
merits. ' We may remark, however, that whatever fate
awaits the theory, feme practical information is un-
queftionably deducible from the fadls he has ft:- ted ,
and though the author’s reafoning is frequently obfeur-
ed by the myflical phrafeology of a fyftem which
has at prefent, we believe, but few advocates in this
country, there is ftill enough of rational matter in it to
jufiify, in great meafure, the employment of the mode
of treatment recommended.

Art. LV. An Inquiry into fome of the Effects of the Ve¬
nereal Poifon on the Human Body ; with an occaff an¬
al Application of Phyfiology ; Obfer ratio ns on fome
of the Opinions of Mr. John Hunter and Mr.
Benjamin Bell and practical Remarks . By S.
Sawrey, Surgeon. 8vo, 201 pages, price 4s. Lon¬
don, 1803. Lackington.

THE fubjedt of morbid poifons, of which the ve¬
nereal forms fo diftiugui filed a branch, is one,
the ill nitration of which is comparatively of modem
date. As long as the humoural pathology continued

Sawrey on the Effects of the Venereal Poifon . 395

to form the bafis of medical reafonings, difeafes arifing
from the application of deleterious matters to the
body feemed to admit the readied explanation
on thofe principles; and fcarcely any other ideas of
treatment entered into the minds of pra&itioners than
the expuliion from the fyftem of the morbific matter,
or the correffion of it by antidotes fuppofed capable
of changing its nature and deftroying its virulence.
Modern phyfiology and obfervation, however, have
taught us better things : we have learned that difeafes,
when once excited, may exift independent of their
original caufes ; that the expulfion of particular mat¬
ters from the fyftem by art is altogether impradlicable;
and that, in the cure of difeafe, we are much more
concerned in the effects of injurious applications to
the body than in the exciting caufes which produced
them, over which we have frequently no power. For
much of this improvement in pathology we are indebt¬
ed do the fagacity of the late Mr. Hunter, who was
the firft to inveftigate, in a manner at all fatisfadfory,
the laws of the venereal virus : and the application
of his doctrines to practice has unqueftionably been
productive of many beneficial confequences.

It is not, however, to be fuppofed, that the fubjeft
has received all the illuftration of which it is fufcep-
tible. Many anomalies in the hiftorv of the difeafe
and its fymptoms (till prefent themfelves, whilft it not
unfrequently baffles the efforts of art to remove it.
Some of the opinions of Mr. Hunter have been called
in queftion, and, it would feem, on grounds of real
obfervation and experience. The author of the effay
before us is one of thofe who think there are yet
difficulties to be furmounted before we attain to a
complete knowledge of the fubjeCL The following
is the fumma.y of the points he endeavours to efta-
bliffl. For the detail of his arguments we muff re¬
fer to the work itfelf, which will be found well wor¬
thy of perufak

O o 4 f 1 ft.

O o 4

396 Sawrey on the Effects of the Venereal Poifoiu

£ 1ft, That the poifon of gonorrhoea and chancre
is the fame in the effential or poifonous principles.

‘ 2dly, That the poifon* when externally applied* pro¬
duces a kind of inflammation.

‘ 3dly, That when applied to the urethra, a difcharge
of puriform ma' ter flows from its orifice.

' 4-t nly. That the prod u6f elaborated by the inflam¬
matory afting vefiels, and from their untainted con¬
tents which they circulate, undergoes a change, and
becomes poifonous, after leaving the fmall arteries
which form it.

‘ 5thly, That when the effect is chancre, the pro-
duft is compofed of the diffolved f olid particles of the
part with their juices, and a produft of the inflamma¬
tory afting fmall arteries.

* 6thly, That the matter iffuing from thefe veflels
alfo undergoes a change after leaving them, and be¬
comes poifonous.

* 7thly, That the venereal inflammation is produced,
continued, and extended, by the poifon.

c 8thly, That the effefts the venereal poifon pro¬
duces, when taken into the blood, are venereal.

‘ 9thly, That the produft of fores in lues, venerea is
poifonous.

£ lOthly, That the poifon, once received into the
blood, continues to circulate in that vehicle an unli¬
mited time.

c llthly,That the poifon Increafes in the blood.

c J2thly, That a part cured may again become dif-
eafed from the fame infeftion.

c 13thly, That the child in utero may be contami¬
nated from the mother.

c 14thly, That the fecretions may be contaminated.

c ISthly, That the produft of fores in lues is vene¬
real, from being formed out of tainted ingredients.

£16th!y. That the effefts of the venereal poifon are
not limited.

£ 17thly, That the venereal difeafe feldom, if ever,
becomes an immediate caufe of other complaints.

‘ When

397

Noble V Treatije on Ophthalmy.

c When the venereal difeafe ceafes, other com¬
plaints may commence, the body or part being left by
that difeafe in a more fufceptible Hate to the operation
of the caufe of the new malady.— This manner of for¬
warding difeafe ought to be carefully diftinguifhed
from an a£fual caufe.'

Art. LVI. A Tread fe on Ophthalmy ; and thofe
Difeafe $ zvhich are induced by Inflammations of the
Eyes . With new Methods of Cure. By Edward
Moore Noble, Surgeon. Fart the fecond : 8vo,
347 pages, price 4s. London, 1802. Robinsons.

, . ^ iV

^T^HE former part of the author’s treatife on oph-
Jl thalmy was noticed in a former volume of our
Review*. On that occafion, the difeafe was defcribed,
and its occafiona! and exciting caufes affigned ; to¬
gether with fo much of the treatment as regarded the
removal of thefe. We now proceed to examine more
particularly the mode of cure recommended.

It was remarked in the preceding volume, that the
caufes of inflammation a£fed in two different man¬
ners ; either by affording an increafe of the ufual
ftimuli, or by a new one fuper-added ; or, by an in¬
creafe or accumulation of the irritable principle, in
confequence of the abftra£tion of ftimuli. An inftance
of the former occurs in the application of duft or other
irritating matter to the part; whilft the latter is ob-
ferved in thofe cafes of inflammation which owe their
origin to cold, efpecially when alternated with heat.
The effe£t in both cafes being the fame, viz. increafe
of action in the inflamed part, the principle of cure is
likewife for the moll part the fame, and founded on
this law of the animal ceconomy : “ that a ftimtdus
ftronger than ufual being applied to the moving fibre,
makes it lefs eafily afterwards excited into a£fion ;
and, on the fudden fubtraclion of this increafed Jtimu*
his , the motions of the part will be diminifhed.”

9 Vol. 7 ? p 453.

* Allowing,’

398

Noble ' *s T?'ea life o n Oph th a Imy .

( Allowing/ the author obferves, 4 that the great¬
er aciion which takes place in ophthalmy is owing
to an increafe or accumulation of the irritable
principle, it will follow, that this aftion is to
be dirainiftied, either by preventing the fyftem
from affording its ufual fupply by thofe means
which have a general effebl upon the whole body,
or by exhaufting the irritable principle in the part
quicker than it can be fupplied. The chief of thofe
things which act by diminifhing the formation of the
irritable principle, are bleeding, evacuants, and low
diet; but as it has been fuggefied that the ophthalmy
is only a topical complaint , the , perfevering in -thofe
means iriuft umieceffarily lower the conftitution, and,
by acting in a fecund ary manner on the difeafed
part, the effedt produced will not be equal to; the
violence of the remedy.

4 It remains, therefore, that wre flhould confid'er,
how far it is poflible to remove the complaint by
exhaufting the irritable principle quicker than the
fyftem fupplies it, and by that means abating the ac¬
tion of the part. This may be done,

4 Firft, by the continued application, for feveral
minutes, of a moderate famulus immediately to the
part affedted, and then Juddenly fubftradting it.

4 Second, by the Jiidden application of a jtrong fti-
mul-us.

4 Every medicine may be called ftimulant, but
there are very few which can with fafety, or the pro¬
bability of advantage, be applied to the eye in its
irritable inflamed ftate. In making choice of them,
it is requiftte both that the quantity can be eaftly
regulated, and that, on difeontinuing the application,
its effeQs may immediately fubjide . Thefe neceffary
qualities will entirely forbid the ufe of metallic calces,
fubftances containing effential oil, all kinds of insolu¬
ble powders, and lotions that are not perfectly trans¬
parent/

To diminifh the irritable principle according to the
firft method, the belt ftimujants, in the author’s opinion,

are,

399

Noble V Treatife on Ophthalmy,

are, 1, caloric, applied by means of water, rather
warmer than is pleafant, to the eye by means of a
glafs, immerfing the eye in the liquid, and opening
it occafionally, if the pain permits, for the fpace of a
few minutes. This fhould be repeated three or four
or more times in a day, according to the feverity of the
difeafe : — the fecond method confifts in the applica¬
tion of alkohol diluted with wrater, either with or
without a fmall portion of camphor. From one to
twTo drachms of fpirit of wine to tour ounces of water
make a lotion of fufficient ftrength, though much jnuft
depend on the fenfibility of the part ; and the rule
ihould be, to make the mixture juft fo flrong as to
give a flight degree of pain on its firft application.
The mode of applying it here recommended, is, to
place ten or twelve drops in the angle of the eye, lean¬
ing the head back, and gently opening the eyelids,
fo as to admit the liquid to the furface of the eye itfelf.
This fhould be immediately repeated, and continued
for fix or eight minutes, or until the pain has fubfided,
or become diminifhed. This the author confiders as
the bed general application in ophthalmy.

The other mode of diminiihing the accumulated ex¬
citability, viz* by the Jiidden application of a ftrong
ftimulus, is effe&ed by the thief lira thebaica / as pro-
pofed by Mr. Wathen and Mr Ware. This applica¬
tion, however, Mr. Noble remarks, is by no means
to be made indifcrimmately ; for at the commencement
of the difeafe, and in all cafes where the inflammation
is violent, and of an afclive kind, it does confiderable
mifehief. Nor when diluted does it fucceed better;
which the author attributes to the refmous part of the
opium being precipitated from its folution, and thus
a6ting as a folid irritating body on the eye. But it
appears to us that this objection of the author is ap¬
plicable only where the fpirituous tin£!ure of opium
is employed, and not to the folution in wine, which is
not precipitated by water like the formei : it is proper
to obferve, that the latter is the remedy employed and

recorn-

400

Noble’.? Treat ife on Ophthatmy .

recommended by Mr. Ware. — In the chronic inflarm
illation of the eye, the tinctura thebaica conditutes
one of the bed applications we can employ.

Analogous in its effedts to the above is the tindfere
of tobacco, which is here very drongly recommended,
more particularly for the alleviation of the pain in the
temple, which frequently is a mod didreffing fymp-
tom in ophthalmia. The formula of the tindktre is as
follows :

R. Fol. Nicotians incis , libram imam
Camphoric, drachmas quatuor
Spirit As vini rectificati
Aqua dijlillatre, ana libras dtias.

Of this, a drachm or two is to be rubbed on the
pained part with the finger, and repeated occafionally.
Some remarks follow on the general management
of the patient, and on the comparative utility of the
different remedies already mentioned ; but they are
not fufficiently new or important to detain us. The
author then proceeds to fpeak of fome affedlions of the
eye which frequently fucceed to ophthalmy ; as fpecks
and other opacities of the cornea, protrufion of the
iris, and opacity of the cryffalline lens itfelf.

Specks on the cornea are faid to be of two kinds ^
9 that which has no external opening, the matter being
Confined between the laminae of the cornea ; and that
which has broken its horny walls, and formed a fmall
hole or depredlon in the cornea, which has judiy been
confidcred as an ulcer.’ This idea of the author re-
fpedting opacities of the cornea we fufpedl to be too
mechanical. The opacity appears to be much more
frequently owing to an alteration of drudture in the
cornea, by means of which its tranfparency is dedroy-
ed, than to the depofition or formation of purulent
matter between its laminae; whild it is probable that
the ulceration, as in other cafes of fuperficial inflam¬
mation, begins on the furface, and extends down¬
wards chiefiy by the agency of the abforbing veffels.
The mode of treatment recommended by the author is

judicious:

;)

Noble’.? Treat ife on Ophihatmg. 401

judicious: he obferves, that, as long as the inflamma¬
tion is in any confiderable degree, it ought to claim
our chief attention, as being itfelf the caufe of the
opacity ; and, whilft it goes on fubfiding, the opacity
often diminiflies in a correfponding degree. When
the inflammation has pretty well difappeared, gentle
ftimulants, which are preferable to more aflive ones,
fliould be applied two or three times a day.

5 If a lotion is made ufe of to remove the opacity,
it fliould be ir an [parent , and may be a folution of
fulphate of zinc, gr. xx. to | i. a folution of the hy-
drargyrus muriatus, gr. i. ad ^ i. or of a folution of a
fulphate of copper, five or fix drops to be dropt into
the eye twice or thrice a day.

* If a powder is preferred, it fliould be fuch as will
difibive readily in the eye, otherwife the degree of
aflion that is wiflied to be excited cannot be manag¬
ed, as fome of the particles may adhere to the fur face
of the eye, and keep up an undue degree of irritation
for an improper time. All the acids, uniting .with
any of the alkalies forming neutral falts, will do j or
what is frequently made ufe of, and in many inftances
anfwers extremely well, is refined fugar finely pow¬
dered. The fugar feems to a£f more particularly by
its roughnefs ; attention, therefore, fliould be paid to
the degree of purity of the fugar, and the finenefs of
its pulverization.

c Cafes are frequently met with, in which the fugar
alone is not fufficiently powerful ; I then find an addi¬
tion of common fait, deprived of its water by decrepi¬
tation, or nitre finely powdered, anfwers very well.
But when the eye has an unufual glafly appearance,
and very foon recovers itfelf after the application of
ftimulants, I add borax finely levigated, which, as it
diflfolves more flowly, and is a very hard fait, is more
applicable.

‘ If an ointment is thought more convenient, the
powders jufi mentioned may be mixed up with fome
mild ointment, which ought to confifl principally of

butter

402 Noblefr Tr eat i/e on Ophthahny \

butter or hog's lard; for if it contains much wax, it
will not diffolve in the eye fo readily, and will feel
more unpleafantri

Gaudies, employed for the purpofe of removing opa¬
cities of the cornea, are here condemned, as more
frequently injurious than ferviceahle. Divifion of v.ei-
fels enlarged and running towards the cornea is pro¬
perly infilled on, aided by the frequent ufe of the
tinctnra thebaic# or nicotian & dropped into the eye.
When the iris protrudes through an opening in the
cornea, it often retradfs by the repeated application
of the fame tinftures. Mercury has occasionally been
ufeful in cafes of opacity.

Opacity cf the cryftaliine lens, or cataraft, has fre¬
quently, the author obferves, been removed by ftimu-
lants, when it arofe from external violence, or fometimes
when from long-continued inflammation of the eyes.
Stimulants alfo fometimes flop, or at leaf! protract, the
prog refs of the cataraft, when it comes on in confe-
quenee of age. With this view, the drops mentioned
below are directed to be applied every morning and
evening, and the ointment at night.

c The applications I generally make ufe of, in at¬
tempting the diffipation of an opaque lens, are drops
com po fed of equal parts of sether and tindfr nicotianre,
to be applied night and morning. Twenty minutes
pr half an hour after ufing the drops, I direfrh the fize
of a fmall pea of the following ointment to be inferted
between the lids: — R. Sacchari purificat g i. fal mu¬
riatic g ii. butyr recent 5 ifs. Saecharum Sz falem
muriatic um in pulverem tere dein cuim butyro mifeed

Some cafes are added in ill nitration of the principles
explained above ; to which is added an appendix,
containing the fentiments of the author on feveral of
the remedies in ordinary ufe for the cure of ophthal¬
mia ; as bleeding, b lifters, i flues and fetons, camphor,
preparations of zinc, lead, and mercury, poultices,
Ike. To all of them but little merit is allowed, and

fome

403

Noble V Treallfe on Ophihalmy .

fome of them are condemned in totos among ft which
are poultices.

General bleeding from the fyftem is only aclvifeable,
the author thinks, where the patient is plethoric, or
the action of the whole arterial fyftem is increafed.
Topical bleeding from the eye itfelf is feldom requi-
lire. Nor is the application of leeches near the eye
very favourably fpoken of; lefs fo indeed, we think,
than experience warrants. Opening the temporal ar¬
tery is juftly confidered as obje£tionable: in the fir ft
place, as uncertain in refpefl to the quantity of blood
to be thus obtained ; and, in the next, on account of
the preilure often required to prevent future haemor¬
rhage.

Blifters are faid to be injurious in the early ftages of
the diforder ; that is, when the inflammation is of a
more aCtive kind : later in the difeafe they are often of
fervice. The fame remarks apply, in great meafure,
to fetons and blues. The different calces of zinc are,
in the author’s opinion, not only ufelefs, but generally
injurious, by the irritation they give as foreign bodies
to the inflamed eye.

The folution of vitrioiated zinc is one of the moft
common lotions in diforders of the eyes, but is impro¬
per at the commencement of a violent difeafe. When
the diforder is flight, or of fome duration, it is fre¬
quently found effectual. The author however obferves,
that when it forms a fediment, and is thus employed,
it always does harm, the precipitated matter being in¬
fo! uble, and adting as a foreign body. The folution
is rendered tranfparent, and kept fo, by the addition
of three or four drops of fulphuric acid. Preparations
of lead are now never employed by the author, though
he admits that they render the eye in fome degree lefs
fenflble. Sulphate of copper, alum, hydrargyrum mu~
riatus , and aqua ammonia acetata , appear to have
engaged very little of his attention*

Upon

404 The London Practice of Midwifery .

' ' , *

•«

Upon the whole, we are inclined to fpeak favour¬
ably of the prefent work, and have remarked in it
many proofs of accurate obfervation, and much expe¬
rience in the difeafes of this delicate organ. We think,
however, that the author is too exclusive in his re¬
commendation of remedies, and that he rejects fame
whofe utility has been proved by ample experience.
This error is to be attributed to the love of fyftem
which appears to have guided him, both in his expla¬
nation of fymptoms and in the mode of acting of reme¬
dies. The modus agendi is one of the moft obfcure
parts of the therapeutic art, and very apt to condu61
to hypothecs in the attempt to explain it.

Art. LVII. The London Practice of Midwifery ;
or , a Manual for Students : being a complete Courfe
of Practical Midwifery . In which are included the
Treatment of Lying-in Women and the Difeafes of
Children. 12mo, 283 pages, price 6s. London,
1803. Wallis.

OF this work we may obferve, that, although it
profeffes to be c a complete Courfe of Practical
Midwifery,’ it appears to be nothing more than a
copy of the notes taken at feme one of the courfes of
lectures delivered annually in London in this branch
of the profeffion ; and that it is by no means remark¬
able for accuracy or corre£tnefs in the drawing up :
it exhibits, consequently, the opinions of an indivi¬
dual, or of a particular fchool, rather than the gene¬
rally received principles of the art; and fo far the
title is certainly an impofition. We by no means in¬
tend to condemn the doftrines in general that are
here inculcated ; but we think the real author of them
will not feel greatly obliged to the editor for the fur-
reptitious and incorreft mode in which he has chofen
to lay them before the public. An indecent levity
prevails throughout the whole work, which is inter¬
larded

405

Howard’.? Supplement .

larded with coarfe anecdotes that might, perhaps,
ferve to enliven the dulnefs or a ledture, but are quite
mifpiaced on the prefent occafion. It is, in fadl, a
good fpeeitnen of modern bookmaking, and may rank
with the many other Manuals for Students that are
continually fpringing into light.

Art. LVIII. Supplement to Practical Obferv ac¬
tions on the Natural Hifiory and Cure of Lues
’ Venerea ; containing Remarks on the Application of
the Lunar Cauftic to Strictures of the Urethra : on
the Ufe of Sedatives in Gonorrhoea , and their dan -
gerous Confe queue es in Lues Venerea ; with a brief
Enumeration of thofe Effects of Mercury which
are decifive in the Cure of this Difeafe. By John
' Howard, Member of the Court of Affftants of
the Royal College of Surgeons , and E .S,A, 8vo,
51 ppges, price 2s. London, 1802. Baldwin, &c.

IN this defultory pamphlet of many words, there are
a few prominent ideas, which wrn fhall endeavour
to detach from the mafs, as containing the peculiar
notions which the author wifhes to inculcate on his
readers. v

With refpedt to the employment of cauflic in tinc¬
tures of the urethra, there are fo many arguments
adduced, both pro and con , that it is hardly poffible
to fay whether the author be an advocate or an enemy
to the practice. Moft cafes of flridture, he feems to
think, may be cured without cauflic ; and then he
would not employ nt. In others it might be had re-
courfe to ; but then the hazard of producing irritation,
firangury, ulceration through the membrane of the
urethra, and htemorrhagy, is Hated as very great.
Mr. H. apprehends that the cauflic does not deftroy
the flridlured part, nor can do fo with fafety ; but that
it makes its way through by degrees, relaxing and
widening the part by little and little, in confequence
VOL. X. P p of

406 Howard's Supplement.

of its exciting ulceration. Another ill effedt which
the author apprehends from the ufe of the caufiic is a
fubfequent adhefion of the Tides of the urethra to one
another. But to this and the other fears here expreffed
it is fufficient to reply, that fuch effedts, in any confider-
able degree, have not been found adtually to follow the
application.

Many apprehenfions alfo are entertained with re¬
gard to aftringent injedlions and lotions in gonorrhoea
and chancre, as tending to produce lues venerea .
The author infills much on the rieceffity of producing
the full action of mercury in the fyftem in cafes of
fyphiiis, particularly in the treatment of fecondary
fymptoms; which he confiders, contrary to Mr.
Hunter and his followers, as more difficult of perfedt
cure than thole which are primary. He inveighs
confequently with warmth, and probably with much
j office, againft the too common alterative plan of
treatment, in which pains are taken to fupprefs all
the apparent effedts of mercury in the fyltem ; which,
however, are here confidered as effentially neceffary
to be produced, in order certainly to effedt a cure.
Salivation, or at leaf! a confiderable affection of the
mouth, is an occurrence generally to be wiffied, though
not abfolutely effential to the cure ; as in fome pa¬
tients, from idiofyncrafy, it can fcarcely be brought
on by any means. Salivation, however, the author
remarks, is by no means fufficient, unlefs accompanied
by other decifive effedts of mercury; and which are,
coffivenefs, great languor, emaciation, weaknefs,
mercurial griping, with tenefmus and foetor of the
breath. If thefe effedts are not produced, or not kept
up for a fufficient length of time, nor fufficiently ftrong,
the cure cannot be relied on : to the produdlion of
them, confinement is generally neceffary, with the ex-
clufion from cold air and from exercife.

The author fancies that the difeafe of late years has
become more anomalous, and more difficult to treat
from its inveteracy, than formerly ; and he feems in-
, dined

407

Reece on the Lichen IJlandicus.

dined to attribute this circumftance to war, which,
he obferves, c we know7, from the moft early records
of the difeafe, has a tendency to propagate it far and
wide/ But it wrould be difficult, we apprehend, to
fhew w'hat connection a foreign war can poffibly have
with the Ifate of the venereal difeafe in London.

Art. LIX. The AnatomiJIs Vade Mecum, containing
the Anatomy , Phyjiology , Morbid Appearances , Sic.
of the Human Body ; the Art of making Anatomic
cal Preparations , Sic. Fifth edition. To which are
now added , Anatomical , Phyfiological , Medical
and Surgical Quejlions for Students. By Robert
Hooper, M.D. , Sic. SCc. 12mo, 376 pages, price
9s. London, 1804. Murray.

rTT^HE frequent republication within a (hort period
j| of the work before us, is a decided proof of the
general eftimation in which it is held; and the fame
may fairly, perhaps, be taken as a tefr of its merits,
and fitnefs to anfwer its intended purpofe. We may
add, that the author appears to have taken pains to
render each fucceeding edition fuperior to the former,
by fuch additions as feemed to coincide with the ge¬
neral intention of the work.

The prefent edition is characterized chiefly by
a lift of fuch queftions relating to the different branches
of phyflc and furgery as are not unlikely to be
afked of thofe who undergo examination for different
public employments.

Art. LX. Obfervations on the Antlphthiffcal Pro¬
perties of the Lichen IJlandicus , or Iceland Mofs :
comprehending explicit Directions for the making
and ufing fuck Preparations of the Herb and its
Auxiliaries , which Experience has proved bejl adapt¬
ed to the Cure of the different Species of Pulmonary

P p 2 Con fumpt ions

408

Reece on the Lichen Ijlandicus ,

Confumptions of Great Britain . By Richard
Reece, Member of the Late Corporation of &ur«
geons, 8(c. 8vo, 33 pages, price Is. London, 1803.
Longman and Rees.

rpHE lichen ijlandicus, one of the modifh and tri¬
ll fling novelties of the day, has, .been puffed into
notice of late by venders, and its ufe acquiefced in, and
even recommended, by practitioners, for the purpofe
rather, we believe, of amufing patients in a rnoff hope-
.lefs difeafe, than with any folid expectations of real
benefit derivable from it. It has fucceeded to Indian
arrow-rooty tapioca , and other notable rejioraiivts ;
and in point of reputation, probably, will be no ids
lading.

The chief purport of the prefen.t effay is to convince
the world, that is, the luxurious and fafhionable part of
it (which it will no doubt effeCf to a certain degree),
that all former preparations of the lichen recommend¬
ed by writers and praClitioners, 4 certainly do not con.

tain the combined qualities of the herb, to which its
4 faint ary effeCfs, in pulmonary confumption, are at-
€ tributable ‘that the farina alone of the plant’ (as
prepared and fold by the author) ‘ is exempt from
* thefe objections, and may be adminidered, without
di Lading the patient, to the extent of three or even
< four ounces a day that the fame farina 4 may be
4 employed with greater advantage than any other
4 farinaceous fubdance in dyfentery, habitual diar-
4 rhoea, and in all cafes of emaciation and debility of
4 the fydem, weaknefs of the domach and bowels,
4 and as a food for weakly children:’ — a large held is
thus open for the confumption of th q lichen, too large,
we fear, for the author’s laboratory, or even Iceland
itfelf, to fupply.

The author does not content himfelf with fimply
recommending the farina of the Iceland mofs, but
sratuitoudy' adds a -deal of information* on the nature
and cure ot coniumptipnin all its varieties; recommend-

WoocPj Plain Remarks on Fever .

409

iag In flrong terms bis fal. ejfent. cinchona g with fuch
recipes as the following : Empl. ex Euphorbio inter
Ccapulis vel fterno etiam applicetur — R. Emuls.*
Amygdul, une. vij Vim. Ipecac, drach j. Extr. Papar*
alb. drach. fs. M, Cap. Cochh larg. iij ter Die, vel
urgent, iujfis— App. Ernplaft. Canth. inter Scapulas fi
opus erit.

The author concludes by informing us, that the dif¬
ferent preparations of the lichen , efjeniial Jalt of bark
8ec, &c., may be had, of a fuperior quality, of Meffrs.
Reece and Co ,, at their Chemical and Medical Hall ,
Henrietta Street , Covent Garden .

Art. LXL Plain Remarks on Fever, with the View
to explain the Origin and Nature of the Fever
which lately appeared in N ewe a file. Addreffed to
the Inhabitants. % j ames Wood, M.D. , one
of the Phyficians to the Infirmary , Difpenfary , 8i'c.
I2mo, 23 pages, price 6d. Newcastle, 1803.

IN the brief flatement of faffs and accompanying
obfervations here given, the author laudably en¬
deavours to remove the alarming apprehenfions en¬
tertained by the inhabitants of Newcastle, on account
of a fever which prevailed lately in the place, ’ and
which was represented in the public prints as unufually
contagious and deftrucf ive. He (hews in a fatisfactory
manner that thofe fears originated in mifapprehenfton
or mifreprefentation, and that the prevailing difeafe
had nothing particular in its hi (lory to diftinguifli
it from other fevers or the typhus kind ; and that it was
neither more violent nor frequent in its appearance
than on many former occafions.

Dr. Wood gives his' decided teftimony again ft the
very common mode at pr ejfent in ufe, of treating all
fevers of this fort by bark, opium,- wine, brandy, and
the like ; and prefers the admiriiftration of cooling
faline medicines, a (lifted by antimonials : he appeals

410 Jamefon on Cheltenham Waters, 8Cc.

to the experience of ten years’ pradlice as fanftioning
this plan of cure. The oppofite mode, he thinks, not
only is lefs favourable to recovery, but increafes the
tendency of fevers to become contagious. This is
undoubtedly a point of great importance, and we think
highly meriting attention.

Art. LXII. A Treatife on Cheltenham Waters , and
Bilious Dij cafes : to which are prefixed, Obfervations
on Fluidity , Mineral Waters, and Watering Places.
By Thomas Jame so n , M. D . , llefi den t Phyfi cia n
at Cheltenham, 81 c. 8vo, 190pag es, price Lon¬
don, 1803. Robinsons.

■

A WORK of the defeription of the one before us is
evidently better fuited, as it was in all probability
more particularly intended, for the meridian of water¬
ing places than for the general ftudy of medical prac¬
titioners. We Dial] therefore do little more than en¬
deavour to give our readers a general idea of it, obferv-
ing,by the by, that it is drawn up in a manner calcu¬
lated to be ufeful to that clafs of invalids who are in
the habits of frequenting the waters of Cheltenham or
other mineral fprings.

The firft chapter contains an hiftorical account of
the place, and the various fprings in its neighbourhood.
The town of Cheltenham is fituated in Gloucefier-
fhire, between 90 and 100 miles W.N.W. from Lon¬
don. It has of late years become very popular as a
watering place in the fummer feafon, as is evident
from the following comparative view of its vifitors at
different periods. During the fummer of the year
1780, the company that reforted to it amounted to
374 only: in 1790 there were 1100; and in 1802,
nearly 2000.

There arefeveralfaline fprings in the neighbourhood
of Cheltenham of nearly the fame general nature with
that of the principal wells. The water of thefe fprings

began

411

Jamefon on Cheltenham Waters , 8fc.

began to beheld in efteem about the year 1718, when
the fir ft well was railed in. The defeription or the
water of what is termed the lower well is as follows;
and it may ferve equally for the others, lb fmiilar are
they one to another. The water from the pump is
tolerably clear, and nearly free from fmell, though
at the time of Dr. FothergilC s analvfis of it, it ap¬
peared to contain fulphurated hydrogen gas. It
poffeffes greater brifknefs than common water, and
feparates air-bubbles on {landing. It taftes bitter and
brackifh, but not difagreeably fo : thefe qualities vary
in a fmall degree, together with the ftrength of the
water, at different times. The temperature is pretty
uniform, varying but a few degrees from 53° of Fah¬
renheit.

A gallon of the water contains about 48Q grs. of Glau¬
ber and Epfom faffs together, 5 grs. of marine fait,
25 grs. of magnefia, and 40 grs. of felenite, making
together 550 grs. of folid contents. It contains like-
wife carbonic acid, and a very minute portion of iron,
too inconfiderable probably to affect its medicinal
powers. The medical character which it poffeffes is
due to its neutral falts, as it contains a greater pro¬
portion of Glauber’s fait than other mineral wells in
Britain. This impregnation renders it purgative, and
it is laid to operate in an expeditious manner, without
occafioning naufea or griping.

Among the cafes in which a courfe of the Cheltenham
water is fuppofed a fovereign remedy, bilious difeafes
hold the firft rank. This term, however, is fo loofe and
unmeaning , that it is hard to difeover its real import.
As far as regards the prelent fubjecl, it is probably the
inflammatory Hate of the liver that is particularly un¬
der the influence of this remedy, and efpecially that
chronic derangement of the organ which takes place
in perfons living long in hot climates, or that have
indulged in habits of intemperance.

Beiides bilious and dyfpcptic fymptoms, the Cheb
tenham waters have been found ferviceable in various

cutaneous

412 Jamefon on Cheltenham Waters, We.

cutaneous diforders ; in feme flrumous fwellings
and ulcers attended with inflammation ; in old ulcers
of the legs that are inflamed and painful, or that dif~
charge much ferous humour; in ophthalmias ; in rheu-
matifm and gout ; in cafes where an antiphlogiftic re¬
gimen is proper; in afthma of an inflammatory kind ;
in amenorrhcea and leucorrhcea; in haemorrhoids; in
nephritic diforders ; and in cafes of worms. On the
other hand, they are fuppofed to be prejudicial in
nervous diforders, palfles,confumptions5haemarrhagie$,,
dropfies, fevers, and other acute difeafes. In affec¬
tions of the head they are faid to be ambiguous.

It would be needlefs to enlarge farther on the fub-
je£f ; we fhallonly add, that the apprehenfions enter¬
tained of the fupply of water being unequal to the
demand are now removed, by the difeovery, by means
of the author, of a new fource, in a well recently dug
for the purpofe. A chalybeate fpring has like wife
been deteffed, which will probably add to the attrac¬
tions of the place*

MISCELLANEOUS, XCvii

^ 44. Faffs intended to prove the Yellow Fever not to he conta¬
gions , and Instances of its fuppofed Contagion explainedupon
other Principles. By Benjamin Rulh, M.D., Profejjor of
Medicine in the Univerfiiy of Philadelphia .

(FromN. Y. Med. Rep.,vol. 6.)

It is vie 11 known that the Tranfatlantic pradfitioners are at
entire variance refpedfing the contagioufnefs, or the reverfe,
of the fever which has occafioned fuch defolating efifedls
among them of late years ; and one would be almoft tempted
to believe, from fo much experience having had no effedl in
determining the queftion, that it was really not fufceptihle
of a fatisfadlory folution. When, however, we conlider that
it is a point which muft reft entirely on obfervation, we can¬
not believe but continued and diligent inveftigation will at
length furmount the difticulty, and throw fufhcient light on
this very obfcure fubjedL We are glad, therefore, to lay
before our readers the following remarks of a diligent and
enlightened oblerver ; and which are the more entitled to
attention, as the author candidly acknowledges a change in
his fentiments to have taken place on the fubjedt. It is one
unqueftionably of great importance, not only in regard to its
immediate and profefied objedl, but as involving moft mate¬
rially the whole dodtrine of fever.

c When fevers are communicated/ Dr. Rufh obferves,
‘ from one perfon to another, it is always in one of the fol¬
lowing ways; 1ft, by fecreted matters; 2dly, by excreted
matters. The fmall-pox and mealies are communicated in the
former way ; the jail, or, as it is fometimes called, the fhip and
hofpital fever, is communicated only by means of the excre¬
tions of the body. The perfpiration, by acquiring a morbid
and irritating quality more readily than any other excretion,
in confequence of its ftagnation and confinement to the body
in a tedious jail fever, is the principal means of its propaga¬
tion. The perfpiration is, moreover, predifpofed to acquire
this morbid and acrid quality by the filthinefs, icanty or bad
aliment, anddepreftion of mind, which generally precede that

Q q fever.

VOL. x.

xcviu

MISCELLANEOUS.

fever. It is confined to Tailors and paffengers in foul and
crowded (hips, to prifoners and patients in foul and crowded
jails and hofpitals, and to poor people who live in fmall,
damp, and confined houfes. It prevails chiefly in cool and
cold weather, but is never epidemic; for the excreted mat¬
ters which produce the fever do not float in the external at-
mofphere, nor are they communicated fo as to produce dii-
eafe more than a few feet from the pe'rfons who exhale them.
They are fometimes communicated by means of the clothes
which have been worn by the tick ; and there have been in-
fiances in which the fever has been produced by perfons who
had not been confined by it, but who had previoully been ex-
pofed to all the caufes which generate it. It has been but
little known in the United States fmee the revolutionary war,
at which time it prevailed with great mortality in the hofpi¬
tals and camps of the American army. It has now and then
appeared in fhips that were crowded with pafiengers from
different parts of Europe. It is a common difeafe in the
manufadluring towns of Great Britain, where it has been the
fubjedl of feveral valuable publications, particularly Dr.
Smith, and Dr. John Hunter. Dr. Hay garth has likewife
written upon it ; but he has unfortunately confounded it with
the Weft India and American yellow fever, which differs
from it in prevailing ehieflv in warm climates and feafons :

h V— ' *

in being the offspring of dead and putrid vegetable and ani¬
mal matters ; in affecting chiefly young and robuft habits-;
in being generally accompanied with a difeafed ftate of the
ftomach, and an obftrudlion or preternatural fecretion and
excretion of bile; in terminating moft commonly within feven
days ; in becoming epidemic only by means of an impure
atmofphere, and in riot furnifhing ordinarily thofe excretions
wjiich , when received into other bodies, reproduce the fame
difeafe.

* That the yellow fever is not contagious in its fimple ftate,
and that it fpreads exclufively by means of exhalations from
putrid matters which are diftufed in the air, is evident from
the following confederations :

il 1. It does not fpread b}r contagion in the Weft Indies.
I his has been proved in the moft fatisfadlory manner by

Doctors

XC1X

MISCELLANEOUS.

Doclors Hillary, Hu ck, Hunter, Hedlor M'Lcan, Clarke, Jack-
fon, Borland, Pinkard, and Scott. Hr. Chifholm flands
alone, among modern phyficians, in maintaining a contrary
opinion. It would be eafy to prove, from many palfages in
the late edition of the Doctor’s learned and indrudtive vo¬
lumes, that he has been midaken ; and that the difeafe was
an endemic of every ifland in which he fuppofed it to be de¬
rived from contagion. Of this, the fulled: evidence will fhort-
1 ybe laid before the public by Dr. Caldwell.

f 2. The yellow fever does not fpread in the country when
carried thither from the cities of the United States.

s 3 . It does not fpread in yellow fever hofpitals, when they
are fituated beyond the influence of the impure air in which
it is generated.

( 4» It does not fpread in cities (as will appear hereafter)
from any fpecific matters emitted from the bodies of fick
people.

* 5. It generally requires the co-operation of an exciting
caufe, with miafmata, to produce it. This is never the cafe
with difeafes which are univerfally acknowledged to be con¬
tagious.

€ To the firfl: four of thefe affertions there are home feeming
exceptions in favour of the propagation of this fever by con-
tagion. I fliall briefly mention them, and endeavour to ex¬
plain them upon other principles.

* The circumdances which feem to favour the communica¬
tion of the yellow fever from one perfon to another, by means
of what has been fuppofed to be contagion, are as follow:

* 1. A patient being attended in.afmall, filthy, and clofe
room. The excretions of the body, when thus accumulated,
undergo an additional putrefadlive procefs, and acquire the
fame properties as thole putrid animal matters which are
known to produce malignant fevers. I have heard of two or
three indances in which the yellow fever was propagated by
thefe means in the country, remote from the place where
it originated, as well as from every external fource of putrid
exhalation. The plague is fometimes propagated in this

Q q £ way

MISCELLANEOUS.

way in the low and filthy huts which compofe the alleys and
narrow fireets of Cairo, Smyrna, and Conftaiitinople.

(2. A perfon fleeping in the (beets, or upon a bed impreg¬
nated with the fweats or other excretions, or being expofed.
to the fmell of the foul linen, or other cloathing of perfons
who had the yellow fever. The difeafe here, as in the for¬
mer cafe, is communicated in the fame way as from any
other putrid animal matters. It was once received in Phila¬
delphia from the effluvia of a cheft of unwafhed clothes,
which had belonged to one of our citizens who had died with
jt in Barbadoes ; but it extended no farther in a large family
than to the perfon who opened the chefi. 1 have heard of
but two infiances more of its having been propagated by
thefe means in the United States, in which cafe the difeafe
perifhed with the unfortunate fubjeCt of it ; for the fuperftitious
dread of contagion has generally produced not only great
care in wafhing (heets and clothes, and airing beds fuppofed
to be infeCted, but frequently the total defiruCtion of them
by fire and water.

f I am difpofed to believe the linen, or any other cloathing
of a perfon in good health that had been firongly impregnat¬
ed with fweats, and afterwards buffered to putrefy in a confin¬
ed place, would produce the fame difeafe as in the cafes
above-mentioned. The changes which the healthy excre¬
tions by the pores undergo by putrefaction may eafily be con¬
ceived, by recollecting the offenfive fmell which a pocket
handkerchief acquires that has been nfed for two or three
days to wipe away the fweat of the face and hands in warfn
weather.

£ 3. The protraCtion of a yellow fever to fuch a period as to
difpofe it to affume the fymptoms, and to generate the pecu¬
liar and highly volatilized exhalation from the pores of the
(kin, which takes place in the jail fever. I am happy in find¬
ing I am not the author of this opinion. Sir John Pringle, Dr.
Monro, and Dr. Hillary, fpeak of a contagious fever produced
by the combined aCtion of marfh and human miafmata.
The firft of thofe phyficians fuppofes the Hungarian biliotis
fever, which prevailed over the continent of Europe in the

feventeenth

miscellaneous. Cl

fe ven teen tli century, was fometimes propagated in this way, as >
well as by marfh and other putrid exhalations. Dr. Richard
Pear foil, in his obfervations upon the bilious fevers which
prevailed in the neighbourhood of Birmingham, in England,
in the years 1797, 1798, and 1799^ has the following remark:
“ In its firft ttage, this fever did not appear to be contagious,
but it evidently was fo after the eleventh and fourteenth day,
when the typhoid Hate was induced.” As this protracted
itate of bilious fever rarely occurs in our country, it has fel-
dom been communicated in this way.

* It is not peculiar, 1 believe, to a bilious and yellow fever,
when much protraded beyond its ordinary duration, to put
on the fymptoms of the jail fever. The fame appearances oc¬
cur in the pleurify, and in other, of what Dr. Sydenham calls
intercurrent fevers, all of which I have no doubt, under certain
circumftances of filth and confinement, would produce a fever
in perfons who were expofed to it. This fever, if the weather
were cold, would probably put on inflammatory fymptoms,
and be added, in our nofologies, to the clafs of contagious

difeafes. ' ' * -

4. Miafmata, whether from marflies, or other external

fources, adting upon a fyftem previoufly impregnated with the
excreted matters which produce the jail or Hi ip fever. Mr.
Lempriere informs us, that he law what were fuppofed to be
cafes of yellow fever communicated by fome tailors who
brought the feeds of thefhip fever with them to the ifland of
Jamaica. The fevers which affeeled moll of the crews of the
Huflar frigate, mentioned by Dr. Trotter, and of theButbridge
Indiaman, defcribed by Mr. Bryce, appear to have been the
effect of the combined operation of foul air in thole fhips,
and human excretions upon their fyftems. The difeafe was
barely tinged with bilious fymptoms; and hence the facility
with which it was cured, for the jail fever more readily yields
to medicine than the yellow fever. The former was proba¬
bly exc ted by fome latent exhalation from dead matters
i in the holds of the (hips-; and hence we find it cealeci on
Ihore, where it was deprived of its exciting caufe. It is true,
j great pains were taken to clean the hold and decks oi the

Butbridge ;

MISCELLANEOUS.

Bu (bridge ; but there are foul matters which adhere to the
timbers of fhips, and which, according to Dr. Lind, are fome-
tirnes generated by thofe timbers when new, that are not
to he deftroved by any of the common means employed for
that purpofe. Of this Dr. Kollock has furnifhed us with a
molt fatisfactory proof in his hiftory of the yellow fever which
prevailed on board of the frigate General Greene, on her
voyage to the Havanna, in the year 1799. “ The air in the

hold of the veffel (fays the Debtor) was fo contaminated, as
to extinguifli lights immediately; and candles in the cock¬
pit were aimed as ufelefs from the fame caule. The fifli were
thrown overboard, and the decks waihed and fcoured ; the
ventilator and wind-fails put in motion, and every meafure
of purification adopted that their fituation allowed : notwith-
jflanding thefe precautions, difeafe invaded us. The men
were unceafing in their exertions to purify the fhip : waffling,
fcouring with vinegar, burning powder and vinegar, old junk,
and fulphur, added to conftant ventilation, proved unequal
even to the amelioration of their calamities, while they were
in the latitude of great heat . After the removal of the fick,
the fhip was difburthened of her fiores, ball aft, &c. cleanfed
and white-wafhed throughout ; fiill new cafes occurred for
nearly two months. Some days, two, three, or tour, were
fent off to the hofpita], which would feem to indicate the
retention of fome portion of this noxious principle, which
was lodged beyond the reach of the cle anting procefs.” That
this noxious principle or matter exifted in the fhip, and not
in the bodies of the crew, is evident, from its not bavins:
been communicated in a ffngle inftance by a hundred of them
who were fent to a hofpital on Rhode Iffand, notwithftanding j
an intercourfe fufficient to propagate it was neceflarily kept
up with the inhabitants. Even their nurfes did not take it.

* A fifth inftance in which contagion has been fuppofed to
take place in the yellow fever, is, where the exhalation from
the excretions of a patient in that difeafe aefts as an exciting
eanfc, in perfons previoufly impregnated with the marffi, or
other external miafmata, which produce it. The abtjvity of:

this?

miscellaneous.

this exhalation, even when it is attended with no fmell, is fo
great, as to induce ficknefs, head-ache, vertigo, and fainting.

It is not peculiar to the exhalations from Inch patients to
produce morbid effedts upon perfons who vifit them. The
odour emitted by perfons in the confluent fmall-pox has been
known to produce the fame fyrnptonls, together with a fub-
fequent fever and apthous fore-throat. This has been re¬
marked long ago by Dr. Lind, and latterly by Dr. Willan,
in his reports of the difeafes of London. That the yellow
fever is often excited in this way, without the intervention of a
fuppofed fpecific contagion, I infer from its fometimes fpread-
ing through whole families who have breathed the fame im¬
pure atmofphere with the perfon hr ft affedted by the fever.
This is more efpecially the cafe where the imprefhon made
byt he exhalation from the fick perfon is affifted hy fear, fa¬
tigue, or anxiety of mind in other branches of the family. In
favour of this mode o'f exciting the yellow fever. Dr. Otto
communicated to me the following fadt. In the autumn of
the year !?98, it prevailed upon the Jhores of the Delaware,
in Gloucefter county, in New Jerfey. A mild remittent pre¬
vailed at the fame time on the high grounds, a few miles
from the river. During this time the Doctor obferved, if a
perfon who bad taken the yellow fever in Philadelphia after¬
wards came into a family near the river, the fame difeafe ap¬
peared in feveral 'm fiances in one or more branches of that

family; but where perfons brought the fever from the city,
and went into a family on the high grounds, where the mild
remittents prevailed, there was not a Angle inftance of a yel¬
low fever being excited by them in any of its members. This
fadt is important, and of extenlive application. It places the

j ' *■ /

itimuius from the exhalations of perfons affedted by the yellow
fever upon a footing with intemperance, fatigue, heat, and all
the common exciting caufes of the difeafe ; none of which
it is well known can produce it, except in perfons who have
previoufly inhaled the putrid miafraata, which in all countries
are it only remote caufe. The city of Philadelphia has

film* ' all our yellow fever years many additional proofs
of th ’ >f Dr. Otto’s remark. In the months of

J lily

CIV

MISCELLANEOUS,

July and Auguft, when naiafmata are generally local, and
float chiefly near to their hot beds, the docks and holds of
ftiips, perfons who are affected by thele miafmata, and flcken
in other parts of the city, never communicate the difeafe; but
after the lels prepared and heterogeneous filth of our whole
city has been adfed on by an autumnal as well as fummer
fun, fo as to emit peftilential exhalations into all our ftreets
and alleys, the fever is now and then excited, in the manner that
has been mentioned, by a Angle perfon in a whole family.
The common intermittent of the fouthern ftates are often
excited in the fame way, without being fufpedled of fp read¬
ing by contagion. Even the jail or hofpital fever is vin¬
dicated by Dr. Hunter from the highly contagious nature
which has been afcribed to it upon the fame principle. His
words, which are diredtly to my purpofe, are as follow : “ In
conAdering the extent and power of the contagion (meaning
of the jail or hofpital fever), 1 am not inclined to impute to
this caufe the fevers of all thofe who are taken ill in one
family after the Arft, as they are all along expofed to the
fame vitiated air which occaAons the Arft fever. In like
manner, when a poor woman viAts fome of her Ack neigh¬
bours, and is taken ill herfelf, and afterwards fome of her
children, I would not impute the difeafe to infection alone;
ffie and her family having previoully lived in the fame kind
of vitiated air which originally produced the fever. If the
cafes in which the infection meets with the poifon already
half-formed be excepted, the difeafe in itfelfwiil be found to be
much lefsinfedfiousthan has been com monlyfuppofed.” By the
modes of communicating the yellow fever which have been
admitted, the dyfentery, and all the milder forms of autum¬
nal fevers, have been occaAonally propagated, and perhaps
oftener than the Arft named difeafe, from their being more
apt to run on to the typhus or chronic ftate. Of this I could
adduce many proofs, not only from books, but from my own
obfervations ; but none of thefe difeafes fpread by contagion,
or become epidemic from that caufe, in any country. A con¬
trary opinion, I know, is held by Dr. Clegborn, and Dr.
Clarke; but they have deceived themfelves, as they formerly
deceived me, by not attending to the difference between

feereted

MISCELLANEOUS.

fecreted contagions and morbid excretions from the body*
produced by the caufes which have been enumerated, and
which are rare and accidental concomitants of bilious or fum-
mer dileafes.

f 6. The laft inftance of fuppofed contagion of the yellow
fever is laid to arife from the effluvia of a putrid body that
has died of that difeafe. The effluvia in this cafe act either
as the putrefied excretions mentioned under the firft head,
or as an exciting caufe upon miafmata previoufly received
into the fyftern. A dead body, in a hate of putrefaction
from any other difeafe, would produce, under the fame
circumftances of feafon and predifpofition, the fame kind and
degrees of fever/

(To be continued.)

% 45. Of the Identity of the Blood in the different Vet] els.

By Cit. Legallois, Phyfieian in Paris.

Phyfiologifis have at all times remarked a fenfible differ-*
ence between the arterial and the venous blood ; but almolt
all have fuppofed, that the arterial blood was not the fame in
all the arteries, whilft the venous appeared to be nearly iden¬
tical throughout the whole of the venous fyftern. In the
Memoir before us, the author endeavours to Ihew, that the
blood is precifely of the fame nature in all the arteries, fince
no adequate caufes of variation exift. The combination of
atmofpheric oxygen with the blood in the lungs has been
fuppofed the great caufe of difference, and which combina¬
tion commencing only in the lungs, at the moment of infpi-
ration, muft continue in the other parts of the arterial fy|lem,
and confequently produce a gradual change in the chemical
nature of that fluid. Were it otherwife, it is faid, fo fudden
a difengagement of caloric would take place in the lungs, as
to be totally incompatible with the health of the organ.

The author Ihews, that fo far from fuch a fudden deflagra¬
tion taking place in the lungs as has been now hippo fed, all
the phenomena of finiultaneous combination would lead us
rather to apprehend too great a diminution of caloric: that it
is by means of this combination that refpiration diminifhes the
vol. x. - It r tempera-

c Vi MISCELLANEOUS.

temperature of the venous blood at the inftant of its becoming
arterial; which leads one to believe, with the antients, that
the lungs are at once the refrigeratory of the blood, and the
fource of animal heat. Daily experience, it niuft be allowed,
renders this induction probable. For the refpiration of air
moderately oxygenated fenfibly cools and ftrengthens the
fyftem; whilft, in places where the air is vitiated, we foon
become difagreeably affected, and perceive a fenfe of weak-
nefs, accompanied with oppreffive heat.

The chyle, and the liquids thrown into the blood-veiTels by
the lymphatics, the author fuppofes to be perfetdly affimilated
during their firft palfage through the lungs. The blood then
in the arteries retains precifely the fame condition, from the
lungs to the extreme branches of the arterial fyftem.

But in the veins it is quite otherwife. The arterial blood, in
the various organs through which it paffes, undergoes changes
according to the functions it performs; as in aftimilation, the
various fecretions, &c.

It is evident, therefore, that the blood muft differ in its qua¬
lities in the different parts of the venous fyftem, though the
differences may be fuch as not to be capable of dete<5fion by
any mode of examination at prefent known to us.

§ 46. Chemical Agency of Magnet if m»

M. Dartiim has obferved, that if an armature of foft iron
be applied to the load-ftone, and the two extremities of this
armature be moiftened with water, they will become more quick¬
ly oxidated than if they had not been magnetized ; but the
part which is fituated at the north pole of the magnet is found
to be much more oxidated than that at the fouth pole.

M. Ritter obtained the fame refults in his experiments.
He put iron wires in the magnetic meridian, and placed them
in tubs of water. At the end of twelve, eighteen, and twenty-
four hours, a confiderable quantity of oxide was formed at
each end of thofe wires, but more on the end which was
turned towards the north.

Two wires, one of which was in contact with the fouth
pole of the magnet, and the other feparated from it, were

plunged

MISCELLANEOUS.

cvii

plunged in cups of water: the former became oxidated in five
days, whilft the latter did not after eight days immerfion.

Iron wires, magnetized and placed in water, were always
moil oxidated at their fouth poles.

Magnetized wires, placed in wreak folutions of the nitric,
muriatic, and acetic acids, exhibited fimilar phenomena.

§ 47. Improvement in the Form of Spe6lacle-G laffes.

An improvement in the conftrudtion and form of fpedlacle-
glafles has been propofed by Dr. W oil aft on, which promiles
to be of eminent utility to perlons labouring under defective
vifion.

It mult have been remarked by thofe who make ufe of fpec-
tacles, efpecially fuch as require glades of fhort focal diftance,
that ohjedis feen through them appear diftindf only wrhen
viewed through the central parts of the glafs; objects that
are out of the center appearing diftorted and indiiiindt. On
this account, opticians have of late recommended fpedlacle-
glades of lefs diameter than thofe formerly in ufe, thinking
that the extreme parts of the field of vifion, which from indif-
tindtnefs were of little ufe, might be fpared without much in¬
convenience. But this was only fubftituting a greater incon¬
venience for a lefs ; fince on common occafions it is un-
queftionably better to fee objects indiftinetly than not at all.

In fpedtacles, it is defirable to fee objects, if pofiible, in
every direction in which they might be feen by the naked
eye, which is often far removed from the centers of the glades.
This purpofe the improvement here fuggefted is caeulated
to ededt. The alteration requifite for this is dmple, and eadly
intelligible. If the lens be made concave next the eye,
all the rays of light will pafs through its furface in nearly
a perpendicular diredlion, and the objedt be feen equally dif-
tindl, or nearly fo, through all parts of the glafs, wherever the
eye may happen to be turned. The more nearty any fpedta--
cle-glafs can be made to furround the eye in the manner of a
globular furface, the more nearly will every part of it be at
right-angles to the line of fight ; the more uniform will be

i the

CVi MISCELLANEOUS.

temperature of the venous blood at the inffant of its becoming
arterial; which leads one to believe, with the antients, that
the lungs are at once the refrigeratory of the blood, and the
fource of animal heat. Daily experience, it muft be allowed,
renders this induction probable. For the refpiration of air
moderately oxygenated fenfibly cools and ftrengthens the
fyltem; whilft, in places where the air is vitiated, we foon
become difagreeably affedled, and perceive a fenfe of weak-
nefs, accompanied with oppreffive heat.

The chyle, and the liquids thrown into the blood-veffels by
the lymphatics, the author fuppofes to be perfectly affimilated
during their firft paffage through the lungs. The blood then
in the arteries retains precisely the fame condition, from the
lungs to the extreme branches of the arterial fyftem.

But in the veins it is quite otherwife. The arterial blood, in
the various organs through which it paffes, undergoes changes
according to the funtftions it performs; as in affimilation, the
various fecretions, &c.

It is evident, therefore, that the blood muft differ in its qua¬
lities in the different parts of the venous fyftem, though the
differences may be fuch as not to be capable of deletion by
any mode of examination at prefent known to us.

§ 46. Chemical Agency of Magnet if m.

M. Darnim has obferved, that if an armature of foft iron
be applied to the load-ftone, and the two extremities of this
armature be moiftened with water, they will become more quick¬
ly oxidated than if they had not been magnetized ; but the
part which is fituated at the north pole of the magnet is found
to be much more oxidated than that at the fouth pole.

Two wires, one of which was in contadf with the fouth
pole of the magnet, and the other feparated from it, were

plunged

MISCELLANEOUS.

CVll

plunged in cups of water: the former became oxidated in five
days, whilft the latter did not after eight days immerfion.

Iron wires, magnetized and placed in water, wrere always
moil oxidated at their fouth poles.

Magnetized wires, placed in weak folutions of the nitric,
muriatic, and acetic acids, exhibited fimilar phenomena.

§ 47. Improvement in the Form of Speffiacle-Glajfes .

An improvement in the confirmation and form of fpe&acle-
glaffes has been propofed by Dr. W ollafton, which promifes
to be of eminent utility to perfons labouring under defective
vifion.

It muft have been remarked by thofe wdio make ufe of fpec-
tacles, efpecially fuch as require glafles of fhort focal diftance,
that objedts feen through them appear diftindt only when
viewed through the central parts of the glafs; objedts that
are out of the center appearing diftorted and indiftindl. On
this account, opticians have of late recommended fpedtacle-
glafles of lefs diameter than thofe formerly in ufe, thinking
that the extreme parts of the field of vifion, which from indif-
tindtnefs were of little ufe, might be fpared without much in¬
convenience. But this was only fubftituting a greater incon¬
venience for a lefs ; fince on common occafions it is un-
queftionably better to fee objects indiftindtly than not at all.

In fpediacles, it is defirable to fee objedts, if poffible, in
every direction in which they might be feen by the naked
eye, which is often far removed from the centers of the glafles.
This purpofe the improvement here fuggefted is caculated
to effect. The alteration requifite for this is Ample, and eafily
intelligible. If the lens be made concave next the eye,
all the rays of light will pafs through its furface in nearly
a perpendicular direction, and the objedt be feen equally dil-
tindl, or nearly fo, through all parts of the glafs, wherever the
eye may happen to be turned. The more nearly any fpedta-^
cle-glafs can be made to furround the eye in the manner of a
globular furface, the more nearly will every part of it be at
right-angles to the line of fight; the more uniform will be

the

CVlll

MISCELLANEOUS.

the power of its different parts; and the more completely
will the indiftindlnefs of lateral objects be avoided,

According to this principle, all fpe&acle-glaffes fhould be
convex on their external furface, and concave within. The
greater or lefs curvature of the inner furface will adapt it to
the particular cafe of fhort and long-fightednefs refpectively.
The advantage of this improvement in the form of fpedtacles
has been confirmed by a fufficient number of experiments
on different perfons, and a manufacture, on this conftru&ion,
eftablifhed by Me firs. Dollonds, of St. Paul’s Churchyard,
London, who have obtained a patent for the purpofe. The
moll advantageous proportions of curvature for obtaining the
different focal lengths, now generally diftinguifhed by certain
numbers, have been in great meafure afcertained.

From the opportunity afforded by thefe glaffes of looking
round at various objebls in one pofition of the head, it is
thought they may not improperly be diftinguifhed by the
name of perifcopic fpeffiacles.

(Abridged from Nicholfon’s Journal, Feb. 1804.)

§ 48. Inftance of Transfujion of Blood in a Horfe .

The following interefting experiment, we are affured, was
lately inftituted at the Veterinary College by Mr. Coleman, the
profeffor, with a view to determine whether or not the glan¬
ders, a well known difeafe in horfes, can be cured by letting
out the blood of the difeafed animal, and transfufing in place
of it the blood of one in health.

The carotid artery of the found horfe was opened, and
one end of the ureter of a horfe was fpxed into it, while the
other end was introduced into the jugular vein of the difeaf¬
ed horfe. There was a flop-cock fixed in the ureter, to regu¬
late the quantity of blood transfufed. In this way it was
eftimated, that ten gallons of healthy fluid were transfufed,
and above five gallons of blood were let off at the fame time
from the glandered horfe.

The glandered horfe died four days after he had received
the transfufed blood, and the other horfe alfo died from the
quantity of blood loft.

Mr. Coleman has proved that he can produce the glanders,
by transfufton of blood, in both the horfe and the afs.

No. LX.

THE

MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL-

MAY, 1804.

SSS3SZSZ

Art. LXIII. Remarks on the Conftitution of the
Medical Department of the Britijh Army ; with a
Detail of Hofpital Management , and an Appendix ,
attempting to explain the Action of Caufes in pro¬
ducing Fever , and the Operation of Remedies in
effecting Cure . By Robert Jackson, M D.
8yo, 350 pages, price 7s. 6d, London, 180$. Ca~
dell and Davies.

. • ' ■ l ' - 4. . .1 \ ■ r

BY much the greater part of the prefent treatife,
contains matters of (Economy and arrangement
not ftri£tly and immediately connected with medical
feience: they are points, however, by no means unin-
terefting, Imce they have great influence indirectly on
the fuccefs of whatever plans of treatment are adopt¬
ed in the treatment of difeafe, and are therefore well
worthy the attention of practitioners. The author has
formerly, on more than one occafiom, given proofs of
accurate obfervation and found judgment, and the
prefent will not ieflen the fum of his reputation. He
well obferves,that the art of preferving and of fpeedily
reftoring iofl health, is at all times an object of import¬
ance in armies \ and in times of war, it is of a value
fcarcely to be eflimated. The prefervative part de¬
pends much upon regulations of military (Economy.
-vol. x, S s In

414 JackfonV Remarks on the Brilijh Army.

In thefe, however, he juftly laments that medical men
have rarely a voice, though the matter is intimately
connedted with a knowledge of the animal (Economy.

The volume is divided into fe£tions, the firft of which
contains general remarksontheconftitutionofthe medi¬
cal department of the army. The author feems to be
of opinion, that the medical eftablifhment of the Bri~
tifh army, is on a footing very inferior to that of the con¬
tinental powers, owing to the milder degree of dis¬
cipline in the former, which affefls and injures not
only this, but every branch of the fervice. The want
of uniformity as to principles and practice in the dif¬
ferent members of the medical ftaff, is reprefented as
another fource of evil, arifmg from the want of a me¬
dical fchool purpolely devoted to the education of
army medical officers. He complains that the heads
of the medical department are appointed without
regard to their practical acquaintance with the fubject ;
and of the prefent Medical Board, confifting only of
three individuals, the phyiician and furgeon-genera!,
and the infpefror-general, the firft, the author ob¬
serves, never ferved in the army, nor is known ever to
have vifited a military hofpital ; whilft the other two
have both been furgeons to the guards, but their fer-
vices have been confined to London. Thefe and many
fimilar abufes are here pointed out, and a plan fuggeft-
eft for their removal.

The fecond part of the work contains a detail of
the management of the Hofpital of the Army Depot in
the Ifle of Wight in the year 1801. The arrangements
here adopted appear to have been of the beft and
raoft ufeful kind ; of which the utility is evinced in
the annexed returns of the hofpital. The plans of
the author, however, appear to have encountered great
eppofition from the Medical Board and their agents <
and, according to the ftatement given, he feems to
have been very unfairly treated. The ground of the
oppofition experienced by him was, the adoption of a
praftice in the treatment of fever, which differed a

415

jackfon^ Remarks on the Britifh Army .

good deal from that in ordinary ufe, and did not at all
fquare with the lentiments of the Medical Board, or ra¬
ther of thofe from whom they received their information.
Yet this could hardly form a juft caufe of reproach to
the author, flnce the beft treatment of fever, under
all its circumftances, is ftill a problem that neither
the judgment nor the experience of practitioners has
fatisfaCtorilv folved. Dr. jackfon’s view of the nature
of fever, formed certainly from much obfervation and
experience, led him to the liberal ufe of the lancet in
certain ftages of the difeafe, as well as to the employ¬
ment of other active depleting remedies (to ufe a mo¬
dern tranfatlantic term). He found, like wife, in common
with many other diftinguiflied phylicians of various
ages and nations, that the danger of relapfe in fever
was greatly enhanced by a fudden recurrence to a
full diet; and he therefore enjoined a fpare and
regular regimen, under which recovery was perhaps
apparently flower, though relapfe was lefs frequent.
Thefe were confldered as dangerous innovations in¬
troduced into the army hofpitals, and ftigmatized as
a € horrid fyftem of depletion, under which the lofs
‘ of life piuft be prodigious/ The objections appear,
however, to be fatisfaCtorily anfwered, both on ra¬
tional grounds, and on the pofitive proof which the
hofpital returns furnifh, and which are fubjoined to
the work.

‘ The author,’ it is obferved, c has written two traCts^
upon the fubjeCt of fever; and consequently it may
be fuppofed, that the principle which dircCts his prac¬
tice in the cure of acute difeafes either is known ,or
may be known, by the public. Ihe perfon who aflerts
its efleCts to be debilitating, either does not know it, or
does not know the laws and principles of aCtion in the
animal ceconomy — the laws which direCt the application

* For an account of the latter of thefe, fee Med. and Chir. Rev.,
yol. O’, p. 22.9 : the former, we believe, made its appearance prior to
the commencement of our Journal.

S s 2 of

416 JackfonV Remarks on the Britijh Army.

of his means. Thefe means, in operation, are pofitively
the reverfe of debilitating powers ; for whatever goes
diredlly to deftroy the chain of difeafed afiion, whe¬
ther it be bleeding, vomiting, purging, bliftering, or
bathing, is either directly ftimuiating in its own nature,
or preparatory of a condition previous to ftimulation,
difembarrafiing the fyftem, and leaving the excitable
power at liberty -to* refume its natural and healthy
a£lion ; a movement to which it is foliated by a va-
riety of applications powerful jn their effect, but differ¬
ent in their operation from that of large allowances of
beef and wine/

* Phyficians' of correct obfervation have noted, in
various ages and climates, the mifchiefs of full living
in a Hate of recovery from acute difeafe. They have
accordingly prefcribed rules of abftinence with more
orlefs rigour; but feme new lights have arifen in the
prefentage; and as the Britifii nation claims the difco ve¬
ry, the Britifh army has been a firiking fubjecr of the ex¬
periment. Inftead of a fpare and meafured diet former¬
ly prefcribed for perfons recovering from acute difeafe,
the dodlrine of the prefent day, on this head, is not
tnerely to fatiate, but to gorge. The diet of convale¬
scents in military hofpitals, is fixed, by regulation, to
a higher meafure than what is allowed to foldiers in
health, performing military duty. The rule, like
other new aifcoveries, occafions furprife, for it ap¬
pears to contradict all former experience among all
nations ; but,/hough it may appear extraordinary to
thofe who are not among the number of the enlight¬
ened, it may (till, notwithfta-nding, be true. That it
may be fairly viewed in all its circumftances, it will
be proper to remark, that it is prefcribed by his Ma-
jetty’s regulations, that the quantity of meat allowed to
foldiers in barracks fhall not exceed three quarters of
a pound, per day, for each man. In general hofpitals,
a pound of meat is ordered for every man on full diet,
with the implied claufe, that it be a pound of meat,
-■ioi;.., • d re lied

JackfonV RemarTcs cn the BritJJJi Army . 417

dreffed, and without bone. In former times, the
quantity of the regulated hofpital diet was below the
ftandard of the common ration. Difeafes were then
often fatal ; and, according to the nature of the dif-
eafe, relapfe took place occafionally. In a ftate of
uncertainty, it might be warrantable to try if the ef¬
fects of a proportional increafe would fucceed better.
The experiment appears to have been made on the
continent, in the year 1794 and 1795. The hofpital
ration of beef was there fixed at one pound per day,- —
drelTed, and without bone ; and wine was almoft a
common beverage. The trial, it is believed, had fair
play neither lick, nor attendants on fick, were
ilarved or dinted ; yet the mortality exceeded all ex¬
ample of mortality in any former war. The propor¬
tion is not perhaps correctly known to any one. It
was faid by fome perfons, who made inquiry into the
fubjefl, to have amounted to three out of five; but,
be it precifely what it may, it was enormoufly great,
by the confeffion of the whole army. It might, per¬
haps, be inferred from this example, that, if the high
ration of the hofpital, in beef and wine, did no harm,
directly or indirectly, it did no good, either immedi¬
ately or ultimately: for a multitude died, and thofe
who efcaped with life, returned to their regimenrs
with a broken confutation. This is no loofe aflertion.
It is known to every officer who commanded a corps
on that fervice/

In order to give our readers a clear view of the
fuppofed dangerous principles and practice adopted
by the author, we fhall tranfcribe a cale treated by
him in the hofpital of the army depot, and which, as
occurring under the infpedfion of the other medical
officers, and entered in the journals of the hofpital,
mu ft be considered as authentic.

‘ Robert Thomfon, head forgery man, was attacked
on the 29th of December with fvmptoms of fever of
uncommon alarm: — the head-ach was intolerable,
with an oppreffive fenfation in the body, as if the

S s 3 ' cheft

. ! S '

418 JackfonV Remarks on the Britjh Army.

chefl were fqueezed in a prefs ; the countenance was
dark and agitated ; the hands and ail the members
tremulous and unfteady, as in St. Vitus's dance ; the
heat deep and concentrated; the pulfe fmall and labour¬
ing ; — the expreflion of diffrefs great. He was feen
by the phyfician into whofe hands he was likely to
pafs in a day or two. That gentleman did not pre¬
scribe, for he had not yet entered upon duty ; but he
noticed the danger of the cafe. When the bufmefs
of the ward was finifhed, Thomfon was again ex¬
amined, for his cafe recpiired more than common at-
tention. The phyfician alluded to was not prelent ;
but the affiftant-furgeon attended, and bound up the
arm, in order that fome blood might be taken away;
for though the fymptoms were not fuch as are ordina¬
rily thought to indicate bleeding, yet bleeding ap¬
peared to be a preliminary remedy, and the only one
which was capable of averting organic deftrudlion.
The operation was therefore determined upon. One
pound of blood produced no material change ; two
only little relief: but an indication arofe in the courfe
of the procefs, giving reafon to believe that the pur-
pofe would be attained by perfeverance. The blood
was therefore permitted to flow;— three pounds re¬
moved the head-ach and the preifure from the cheft ;
the labouring tumult of circulation, as communicated
by the pulfe, difappeared: eight ounces more, in all
fifty-fix, releafed him, as he expreffed it, from chains
and horrors. The countenance brightened up,- — he
neither became faint nor pale. The extremities, — the
legs and thighs, were wrapt in flannel wrung out of
hot water; the chefl: was covered with a very large
blider ; emetic tartar, with opium, was given, in a
manner, and with a management, intended to dire£t
the efteft of the remedy in operation principally to¬
wards the fkin ; tea or buillon was given for drink, and
ordered to be drank very hot. In three or four hours,
there were figns that the danger of the difeafe was

Paai

Jackfon’.? Remarks on the Briti/h Army . 419

paft ; and in four days he returned to his duty. He
got neither wine norftrong drink.

* The relation of the above cafe may, perhaps, fur-
prife the phyfician-general, and others befide him :
but it is authentic ; and the refult (hews the value, or
rather the neceffity, of a phyfician fuperintending the
adlual operation of the remedies which he prefcribes.
Few perfons, it is believed, would have ordered fifty-
fix ounces of blood to be taken away at one time ; yet
the complete elfedt was not produced in this cafe
till the quantity had exceeded the third pound. This
was a cafe of bleeding without meafure in the pre¬
fer, ption bock ; but the meafure was determined by
effedhs under the operation, the only meafure, which,
in reality, is not indiferiminate, and at random. The
principle applies in other treatment befides bleeding;
for the effedf of other remedies as well as bleeding is
to be obferved in its commencement, watched in its
pr.ogrefs, and conduced to complete ifiTue, by difere-
tional variation in management. The power of con¬
ducing matters in this manner is more in the hands of
army pradlitiones than others; and more in the hands of
prescribing apothecaries than of regular phyficians. It
feems but a humble mode of acting; but it is the only
one which is not attended with great chance of error,
or with non-effedt ; for the adiive powers of the animal
economy, though of the fame kind in all men, yet
vary fo much in force and condition in individuals,
that it is often necefifary to meafure the quantity of
means employed to produce effedl:, by adtuai ex¬
periment in the cafe. The lofty phyfician who dif-
dains this, and every one difdains it who does not
afeertain the precife addon of prefeription by his own
obfervation, avoids error only by chance. He fome-
times does too much ; he oftener does nothing.*

Such was the pradlice employed in an individual
cafe, and, as it appears, with the beft effedfs. It was
by no means, however, as was aflerted, indiferimidate-
ly applied in the treatment of fevers, as will be feen

S s 4 bv

420 Jackfon ys. Remarks on the Britijh Army .

V __

by the following Report , which we think it but an act
of common juftice to an individual, of whom we profefs
to have no perfonal knowledge, to tranfcribe. An
accufation, it feems, was prefented by the Medical
Board* through the fecretary at war, to the commander
in chief: his royal highnefs referred the matter to the
fpecial examination of four perfons, viz. Sir John
Hayes, Dr. John Hunter, Mr. Weir, and Dr. Pinckard,
all of them men of profeffional character and of expe¬
rience in the management of military hofpuals. Thefe
gentlemen repaired to the fpot, took their informa¬
tions, and made their report : dlich parts of which as
relate to the author’s practice and management, are
.here. fu.b joined.

cc We found the hofpitals at Parkhurft (in the Ifle of
Wight) clean* in good order, and every thing well ar¬
ranged for taking care of the lick as far as the fize of the
buildings would admit ; for notwithftandingmany were
left in the barracks who ought to have been in the hof-
tals, feveral of the wards were greatly overcrowded.

We found the mortality, lately prevailing, to be
owing to feveral difeafes 5 chiefly fevers, dyfen-
teries, inflammations of the lungs, meafles, and
fcarlet fever. The dyfentery and many of the fevers
are the effects of the encampment that wras eftabliflied
.during the autumn, and which remained a confider-
. able time upon the fame ground. The inflammations
of the lungs arife from the prefent inclement feafon ;
the meafles are at this time epidemic in the Ifle of
Wight, and are alfo, as well as the fcarlet fever, kept
up by perfonal infefbon in the depot. Thefe difeafes
would at any time prove the caufe of conliderable mor¬
tality ; but their deftruSive effefts are greatly in-
creafed by the foul air of the crowded wards of the
hofpital, which aggravates all their fymptoms, and
renders them, though Ample and mild on their firft
ad miffi on, in the end malignant and fatal. Conflder-
able ficknefs has often prevailed in the depot, ariiing
out of the nature of the fubjecis it contained (young

and

Jackfon’.? Remarks on the Britifn Army . 421

and unfeafoned recruits) ; yet the concurrence of all
the caufes of mortality above dated has probably ne¬
ver happened before ; particularly the camp dif-
eafes, dysenteries, and remittent fevers (called gaftrio
in the returns), and the prevalence of mealies, at a
feafon of the year fo unfavourable to thofe attacked
by that difeafe. In thefe circumdances, and in ano¬
ther which is by no means to be overlooked, that is,
the increafed number of men in the depot, we think
we fee caufes adequate to the mortality that has
taken place, and which will probably continue lor
fome time longer, particularly if the weather proves
fevere.

<f The opinion we have dated of the caufes of mor¬
tality, will of itfelf remove much of the fufpicion, if an j
fuch exifted, of improper pradtice ofthe treatment of the
difeafes by Dr. Jackfon. On this fubjedt we feel call¬
ed upon to exprefs ourfelves hypothetically, becaufe
the letter of the phyfician -general and furgeon-general
did appear to us, as it feems to have done to you, to
convey fome fuch fufpicion; yet the fubfequent let¬
ter of thofe gentlemen (of which they were fo good
as to fend us a copy), by totally disavowing any fuch
meaning, leaves no doubt upon that head.

" We directed our attention particularly to the
diet of the dek, and enquired into the alterations which
Dr. Jackfon had made in the table of diet. We found
his low diet and middle diet, including the extra arti-

# O

cles of wine, tea, porter, &c. & c., and which are di¬
rected according to circumdances, to be framed with
judgment; but in the full diet, we think there ought
to be one pound of bread, and one pound of meat,
and one quart of beer daily, as in the general table of
diet. And if any redudtion of bread be made, for
every ounce taken from the bread, three ounces of
potatoes fhould be allowed. This full diet fliould ex¬
tend to all the fervants of the hofpital. At the fame
time that we give our opinion againd the alteration in
the full diet, we feel ourfelves called upon to remark,

that

42 2 Jackfon\y Remarks on the Britijk Army,

that we do not impute any part of the relapfes or mor¬
tality to this alteration, becaufe the mortality has
proceeded chiefly from difeafes in which fuch a
change of diet could have had no bad effect; and be¬
caufe we fee the principal caufe of relapfe to be in the
foul air of a crowded hofpital and barracks, and the
inclemency of the weather, aggravated by fcanty
clothing, for fuch we mufl confider the hofpital drefs for
thofe convalefcents who are allowed to go into the
open air. The alterations made in the diet tables by
Dr. J addon, we judge to have proceeded from the
beft motives j and the diminution of bread, he hated
to us to have been firft tried at the fuggeftion of the
furgeon-general.

“ We examined minutely the hofpital books, in
which the medicines ordered for the flek are entered*
Such regihers we do not think alone fuffleient to fur-
jflfh evidence for giving judgment on the praftice of a
phyfleian. For this purpofe, indeed, we do not know
any other means than thofe hated in our flrh letter to
you. But the regiher was fuffleient to convince us,
that there was no ground for the charge contained in
Dr. Maclaurin’s letter, of the univerfal and indiferi-
in in ate ufe of blood letting, and feme other remedies
therein mentioned. Dr. Jackfon further hated tons,
and that upon probable grounds, that Dr. Maclaurin
had no adequate means of knowing or judging of his
(Dr. jackfon’s) praftice.

cs We feel ourfelves called upon in juftice to fay, that
Dr. Jackfon appeared to us a zealous, diligent, and
meritorious fervant of the public, and full of humani¬
ty in the drfeharge of his duty.”

Notwi chftanding the remark in the above report
refpedling the full diet, we cannot help coinciding in
(opinion with the author, that a pound of beef is great¬
ly too much for a Angle meal of any convdlefcent, from
fever efpecially. It even exceeds the barrack allow¬
ance of a foldier in health performing military duty.
The fum muh appear excehive, when we reflect

that

Jack Ton V Remarks on the Rriiijh Army. 42$

that the regular full diet in the Britifh hofpitals, meat
and drink included, is feven pounds a-day ; the dinner
alone amounts to five pounds. In the hofpitals of the
continental powers, where this fubjedt has been
iiudied and appears to be underftood, the full diet of
the convalefcent does not exceed the ration of the
foldier on duty.— It is hardly neceffary to add, that the
report was fatisfadfory to the commander in chief,
and perfedily exculpatory of the author’s conduQ.

VvTe come now to the more ftrictly medical part of
the work, and which, though entitled an Appendix,
conflitutes nearlv half the volume. The object of the
author here, is, to explain the action of caufes in the
production of fevers, as well as that of the remedies
employed for their cure. His opinions on thefe points
are in many refpefts peculiar, and unqueftionably of
great practical importance. It is however to be re¬
gretted, that they are expreffed in language too ftudi*
ed, and not unfrequently obfcure.

Health, to ufe the authors terms,' confifts in a cer¬
tain rhythm and harmony of movement in the different
organs of the body; and whatever changes or difturbs
this rhythm of movement, either in the order of time
or of force, becomes a caufe of difeafe. A change of
this kind is the firft ohfervable ilep of adtion, arifmg
from the operation of the caufes of fever, which are
ftimulant in their nature, but fubverfive of natural
movement. That the caufes of fever are not diredtly
debilitating, and that debility is not a primary and ef-
fential condition of fever, as of late has been very gene¬
rally fuppofed, appears to be very fatisfadion]/ proved.
c If thole caufes, 5 the author obferves, 4 which oc-
cafion the deranged adtion vifible in the clafs of fe¬
brile difeafes, be in reality, as they are faid to be, feda-
tive powers, inducing debility as their peculiar effect,
it is natural to fuppofe that fuch condition of fubjedt
as is molt allied with the effect to be produced would
^oft favour the manifeffation of the adtion; that is,

that

424r JackfonV Remarks on the Britiffi Army.

that thole perfons who are naturally weak and feeble,
or who are accidentally rendered fo by circumdances
of treatment, will be moil liable to be afted upon by
caufes of a debilitating kind,— calculated fpecificaliy to
produce debility. The effefl appears, in fa 61, to be
thereverfe; for the young, the drong, and vigorous,
are more liable than others to acute diforders ; and
they are the perfons in whom the attacks of fuch clifk
orders are ufually mod violent and mod dangerous.

grenadiers, light infantry, and others of great animal,
power, fxken and die in greater proportion than the
pony and more feeble fubjecls of the battalion, who
are under the fame circumdances of expofure. This
fact, and it is well afcertained, is not favourable to the
common opinion concerning the action of the caufes
of fever. But, be Tides this, there are others occurring
accidentally, which bear drongly upon the fame
point. For, where the caufes of fever abound,
and where the fubje6is upon whom they are fup-
pofed to aft, poffefs, in appearance, a community
of qualities fufceptibie of their operation , it is a mat¬
ter of no rare occurrence to obferve, that thofe who
work hard, who labour daily, even to fatigue, or who are
condantly and aflively employed in military fervice,
efcape iicknefs, while the idle and indolent fufter ex¬
tremely. And further, while health continues without
interruption during the continuance of the labour uni¬
formly and condantly purfued, it rarely fails to be
affected at the intermidion of the toils and apparent
hardfhips. In a ffmilar manner, it ufually continues
fecure in times of iicknefs,' with a fober, temperate,
even with an abdemious regimen. Multitudes are the
victims of the indulgences of the table, — -even of in¬
dulgences without excels. Many alfo are apparently
preferved from the attacks of fever in (ickly times by
the ufe of means which lower the animal powers, as

bleeding

1 his is a common occurrence under the prevalence
f iicknefs in civil life; and it is obferved frequently,
Imod uniformly in times of iicknefs in the army, that

Jackfon fs Remarks on the Bviti/h Army* 425

deeding and drong purges, repeated at intervals ; — •
hey fufFer when fuch means are negle&ed. From
hefe inftances, and there are many of the fame kind,
t is reafonable to conclude, that, as the circumftances
-vhich diminilh,or in fome manner expend, the excita¬
bility of the moving power, in which iirength as well
is life condds, do not appear to forward the operation
>f thecaufes of fever, but on the contrary to counteract,
wen to avert an expected explodon, the fuppofition
hat debility, as a fpecific effcCt, is the firft ftepof this
iftion, ftands on fufpicious grounds. The action of
he fuppofed debilitating power is not favoured by a
:ondition of previous debility, according to the com¬
mon meaning of the word. Even when the debilitat¬
ing action is aCtuaily begun, it is liable to be cut fhort,
jv broken in its courfe, by proceffes which are confi-
dered to be debilitating in the higheft degree, viz*
large bleedings, the action of fevere emetics, and
brilk, even violent, purges. Nay, further; Nature’s
principal remedy, the product of the difturbed rhythm,
is, in fuch cafe, direfted to evacuation, confidered by
mod as a debilitating procefs, while fhe is commonly
abhorrent from nourilhing food, and rich or cordial
drink/

The nature of the derangement which takes place
in feyer, is obvioufly, according to the author, for the
mod part, a derangement manifesting irritation ; and
the caufes which produce it are irritating in their na¬
ture. The redoration of the loft harmony of action
is the redoration of health : but as the modes of de¬
rangement are various, from a diverfity in the caufe
or in the fubjecl, fo the means of redoration are dif¬
ferent: c fo different are they, indeed, tb?t means
which tune to harmony in one cafe, loofen the cords of
life id another.’

Previous to any attempt to redore the natural har¬
mony ot movement, it is often neceffary, the author
observes, to arred the irregular courfe of the exiding
motions j and upon this point the mod important part

426 JackfonV Remarks on the Britijh Army .

of his inftruciions hinges. There are many cafes
where this may be done boldly and without fear ;
fome where it muft be done with the greateft care and
caution; and others where it cannot be attempted
without imminent rifle ; the movements being fo rooted,
that they muft be permitted to go on to the appointed
period and ufualform of termination, unlefs where they
abfolutely threaten danger to life. The proper dif-
erimination of thefe cafes calls for thegreateft exercife
of judgment in the practitioner.

The means of arrefting the difordered rhythm oi
movement, differ according to the circumftanees of the
cafe and the ‘condition of the fubjedt. Bleeding,
emetics, warm and cold bathing, geftation, Peruvian
bark, wine and opium, blifters, and mercury, are the
chief medical agents, and are here feparately con fid er-
cd, and their refpedtive merits endeavoured to be af-
ligned.

Bleeding, the author obferves, has perhaps expe¬
rienced more revolutions of reputation as a remedy
in the cure of fever, than any other which has been
employed by phyficians. In fome ages, and in fome
countries, it has been confidered as the cardinal hinge
of medical means; in others it has been, and by fome
it is even now, regarded with abhorrence, and coo If
dered as a practice moil certainly paving the way for
deftruction. Such oppofite opinions can fcarcely be
accounted for. They ferve to bring difgrace on the
medical profeffion; for, as difeafes are fundamentally
the fame now which they were fifteen hundred oi
one hundred years ago, Galen and Sydenham muft
either be fuppofed to have been Angularly deceived, ir
reporting fo favourably of the effects of this remedy ;
or we muft ourfelves be fuppofed to be precipitate, in:
condemning, as hurtful, the ufe of means which the)
found to be fo beneficial. Galen was a man of great;
knowledge; Sydenham was a man of great candour
If the one reafoned well, the other reported truly
it may be alledged, that their opinions concerning

caufes:

' -1

JackfonV Remarks on the Britijh Army. 421

*caufes biaffed their judgment, and led them into er¬
ror. From fuch opinions, the prefent times are not
exempted. If Galen was led to the ufe of the lancet
by a pre-conceived opinion of plethora, we are deter¬
red from it by a belief in debility, — an opinion not
refting on better foundations than that of plethora, viz.
both effe6ls of febrile a£iion,* — not caufes.

‘In the economy of a machine, the corre6l perform¬
ance of the offices of which depends upon a due
form of movement in time and force, the effect is re*
gulated by the addition made to the energies of the
moving power, or by the removal of re fi (lances which
interrupt the courfe ; for reliftance is neceftarily im*
plied in every a 61 of motion. It is thus obferved, that
effea, or energy of movement, in certain conditions of
difeafe, is often more affiiied by taking away two
pounds of blood, than by adding two pints of wine, or
other (Irong liquor. The fa6t cannot be difputed, for
it occurs daily. It forms an important bafis in regu¬
lating the movements of the animal machine. Ab-
ftraclion has thus an effe6l (limulative of the energies
of movement. The change of condition, arifing from
a change of condition in the relifting power, has the
effedi of a dire6l ftimulus; a6lion confequently be¬
comes more effe6tive, though no power be viably added
which can be fuppofed to give energy to the moving
principle. The proofs of this are numerous. They
can fcarcely be fuppofed to have efcaped the notice of
perfons of even the moft narrow experience. For it
is no unufual thing to obferve, that perfons debilitated
to the laft extreme, that is, perfons in fever, who are,
as it were, paralyzed, or not capable of producing a
(ingle action of effe6l, rife up inftantaneoufly into full
force and vigour, in confequence of a very copious
bleeding. It may hence be inferred, that abftrac-
tion of blood has not, in its own nature, a pofttively
debilitating effeft ; for, in confequence of it, there in-
ftantly arifes energy of movement, and adlion of the
natural force. This fa£t is fo much under the eye of

every

428 JackfonV Remarks on the Britijh Army «

everyone, that it can only be from overfight or pre-
pofleffion, that bleeding, and even fome other modes
of evacuation, employed in the cure of fevers, are con-
fidered, as they generally appear to be at prefent,
among remedies of the pofitively debilitating clafs.
There are pofitive evidences, of the truth of which the
common fenfe of every man is competent to judge, that
the effedls of thefe means are fometimes in the high eft
degree ftimulant of the movement neceftary to health.
The idea, that abftradlion is direclly and unqualified¬
ly debilitating, and addition the contrary, could only
have arifen at the table of the feaft. From thence it
has borrowed all its illuftrations. For obfervation of
the condition of the fick, where evacuation is fo often
followed by the return of health and vigour of action ;
and where evacuation, Nature’s remedy, — the product
of the perverted train of aftion and mark of termina¬
tion, furni files it but final! fupport. It does not require
any very deep infight into the laws of animal econo¬
my, to perceive that debility, that is, want of power
to produce effect, is not the firft and fundamental
hinge of fever. The doftrine of the caufe is palpably
erroneous ; the means of remedy, — the addition
of matters of a directly ftimulating tendency, the mot
dangerous that ever has influenced medical practice ;
for though it be admitted, that the direct ftimulation
of opium and wine may fometimes forcibly terminate
the courfe of a fever, by adding to the energies of the
moving powers ; yet, where the quantity of the power
and the quantity of refiftance are not correctly efti-
mated, the effect is a random efifeft, fuceeeding by
chance; and, when failing, precipitating the fatal
event by accelerating exhauftion or paralyfis, the con-
fequence of an exertion not carried to the point of
accomplifhment. It is therefore the fafer meafure
to diminifh re fi fiance previoufly : it is the furer meafure,
for a weaker degree of ftimulation has then a propor¬
tionally greater effeft. It is in this view that bleeding
was ufually employed by the author, as preparatory in
the cure offerer. The Ample effedt of bleeding was;

fometimes,

JackfonT Remarks on the Rritijh Army. 429

fometimes, of itfelf the apparent caufe of the return of
health. It rarely failed to prepare the condition un¬
der which the operation ot the other parts of the treat¬
ment was effectual. It moil not therefore be under¬
stood, that bleeding is conficlered by the author as a
debilitating procefs. Its effefls are dirnulative, re¬
latively, according to the circumdances of the fub-
ject ; and they are extenfive, for they are felt in all
parts of the circulating fvfteni, and confequently
through the whole extent of the animated machine.
The abdradtion of blood, by its exprefs effeft, dimi¬
ni dies the quantity of a body to be moved, and there¬
by increafes the power of the mover: it thus facilitates
motion; but this is not all. The diminution of the
quantity of blood, and change of movement in con*
fequence of fuch diminution, is in feme manner
productive of change of condition at the fources
of life : motion is affedted, changed, even fuf-
pended ; difeafed motions are arrefted ; an op¬
portunity is thereby furnifhed for the more effeffive
a 61 ion of thofe powers which are provided and ex-
prefsly calculated for the dimulation of the due ac¬
tion of health. Bleeding, as it is the mod manageable
power, fo it poiTeffes the mod abfolute influence over
animal movement, either as directly effective of a final
purpofe, or as preparatory to the aflion of other means
neceffary to infure the final purpofe. Bleeding arreds
diforclered movement, redores or increafes fufeeptibi-
3ity of impreilion ; therefore, where that is deficient,
it is, in point of time, the firdon the lid of remedies.’

Such are the principles on which the effects of
blood letting in fevers are here attempted to be explain¬
ed. It is, however, by no means to be confidered as an
universal remedy in fever; in forne cafes it is unnecef-
fary, and in fomeeven dangerous. It is feldomer necef-
fary, the author obferves, where there already exids
fufeeptibility of impredion, as in youth, in females, in
perfons of a foft thin fkin, a lax and delicate fibre,
than in the oppofite circumdances. It is lefs necef-
fary among the inhabitants ot fertile and moid coun-

' voL. x. T t ‘ the

430 Jackfonhr Remarks on the Briti/h Army.

tries, than in hilly, barren, and dry diflrifts ; among
the luxurious and enfeebled claffes of mankind, than
the temperate and hardy ruflic ; lefs neceflary in
fumtner than in fpring, and in autumn than in
winter. In cafes of fever where the pulfe is open
and unconfined, the heat fuperficial,. the fkin foft, the
countenance clear; pains, if they exift, of a fliarp na¬
ture, flying through different parts, but not connefted
with fenfations of weight and oppreflion, bleeding is
not by any means neceflary. Such form of difeafe ge*=
nerally terminates by regular crifis on or before the
feventh day, when left to itfelf, or treated with gentle
remedies. If it be determined to cut fhort its courfe
by forcible means, the abflra61ion of a fmall quantity
of blood will be ferviceable; for by increafing the fuff
ceptibility to impreffioo, the means afterwards em¬
ployed will a£t with more certain eflefff. In fe¬
vers of the genuine periodic form, bleeding is a reme¬
dy for which there is rarely occaflon ; yet, in certain
conditions of fever radically periodic, but from force
ofcaufe or circumftance of fubjedt not affuming their
genuine form, it is often not only ufeful but indifpen-
fible. Such the author fuppofes to have been the cafe
with the fever which has committed fuch devaluation
in America ; and, indeed, the experience of the mod
enlightened phyficians feems to be in proof of it.

In fevers that arife from contagion, bleeding, Dr.
Jackfon obferves, is rarely neceflary ; yet it fometimes
is fo,and by no means deflru£live, as practitioners feem
generally to believe at prefent. Wherever the fuff
ceptibility of impreflion is deficient, connected with
an appearance of fulnefs, and a dry and conftrifted
furface, this evacuation is ufeful, as it tends to render
the other means fafe and effectual. In acute rheuma-
tifm,and in inflammation of internal organs, it is highly
requifite. Irr catarrhal affections, particularly in in¬
fluenza, bleeding is rarely necelTary or ufeful; nor in
cafes where a fecretion is eftablithed. In eryfipela-
tous epidemics, as various kinds of fore throats, dyfen-
teries, &c. it is generally improper.

Itefpecling

Jackfon\y ’Remarks on the Rritijh Army . 431

Refpe&ing the quantity of blood neceflary to be
drawn, the author’s directions are liberal, perhaps in
the opinion of many exceffive. He advifes the blood
to be drawn from a large orifice ; c not meafured by
ounces, but allowed to flow till the end is obtained,
that is, till the tenfive pains, fenfe of fulnefs, and the
fenfe of refiftance in the pulfe, be no longer perceived,
the movement becoming regular, free, and open ; or
till the movement, from being fluggilh, languid, and
opprefied, become brilk and energetic ; till the coun¬
tenance brighten up, till the power of expanding the
cheft be refiored, till the lkin be relaxed, and till
the fecretions re fume their courfe ; an effeCt indicated
by the breaking out of a general perfpiration, by fick-
nefs, vomiting, evacuations by flool, or by faintnefs.
It is feldom that lefs than twenty ounces will enfure
this purpofe in a violent difeafe : it may even fome-
times require forty to produce complete effeCt/ — For
the employment of fo herculean a remedy to the ex*
tent here inculcated, it is to be regretted that general
directions only can be given. To one fo well acquaint¬
ed with difeafes as the author mull: be fuppofed to be,
the practice may be as fafe asefleCtuai. To others lefs
experienced, the diferimination of the particular cafe
requiring fuch treatment mult often be a matter of dif¬
ficulty; andmiftakes would almofl neceflarily be fatal.
So aCtive a mode of cure, therefore, fhould be incul¬
cated with extreme caution.

The fubject of emetics, as employed in the com¬
mencement of fevers, is better underftood ; and we
need not follow the author on this head. In refpeCt
of bathing, warm and cold, his ideas are peculiar ;
and though he admits the great utility of the cold af-
fufion, as fanCiioned and approved by recent expe¬
rience, he explains its operation and effeCts on diffe¬
rent principles to thofe generally admitted on the
fubjeCt.

The revival of the pra&ice of bathing in fevers, a
praclice of great antiquity, appears to be in a great

T t 2 meafurs

432 JVckfonV Remarks on the Britijh Army .

^ «►

rne&fure owing to the author of the prefent work,
* This remedy, 7 he obferves, c has been known iince the
time of the Emperor Auguftus ; and its ufe and,
management were well known to Galen, and well
defined by him. It farther appears, by the relations of
travellers, to hare been, and to be even now, a prac¬
tice with feveral of the Eaftern nations. It was tried

t ■* /

by Dehahn at Warfaw, in the year 1737 ; and rubbing
of the body with fnow, a procefs fomewhat fimilar,
but ft i 11 more effectual, than cold bathing, was em¬
ployed by Samoilowitz in the plague of the year 1771.
Thefe faffs exifted, but they feemed not to have made
any impreflion ; for bathing in fevers has not been
reckoned among the regular means of regular phy-
ficians, till very lately. It has now attracted fo me
notice in England, — a notice chiefly due to the popular
manner in which the lubjeCt has been treated by Dr.
Currie, of Liverpool ; for though the remedy has been
employed by the author for near thirty years, that is,
iince the year 1774; and though the knowledge of it
has been before the public fmce the year 1791, as
well as that the facf had been communicated to feveral
perfons before that time ; it is not probable that it
made much progrefs in confequence of his recom¬
mendation.

‘In the year 1774, cold bathing was not a remedy
commonly recommended by medical teachers, or me¬
dical writers, in the cure of fever. The hint here
aCted upon firft fuggefted i'tfelf from the relation of a
faff mentioned by a fea-faring man, who had been
mafter of a tranfport fhip at the ftege of Ha van n ah.
In noticing curforily, among the events of that ferviee,
that feveral of the men, who were on board of his
fhip (which was a kind of hofpital ihip), threw thern-
felves into the fea in the delirium of fever, that feme
were drowned, that others were recovered from the
waves ; it was afked, if he recollected what was the
effeCt upon health. He had noticed the fa£t, and re¬
membered the event :~**the delirium ceafed, and the

greater

JackfonV Remarks on the Brltijh Army, 43$

greater number recovered. The fa£t, which was can¬
didly expreffed, made a drong impreffion. An opinion
was fuggeded by it, and that fuggeftion was {length¬
ened by an event which occurred in the ifland of
Jamaica early in the year 1774. A negro chi id wTas
lying in a piazza, apparently within a few minutes of
death, in the fecondary fever of fmalbpox. A pail of
water was by chance at hand, the prefence of which
probably connected the fhip-mader’s relation with the
prefen t cafe. The negrefs who attended the child was
defired to fprinkle its face and bread. It was done : — *
the effect was ftriking ; for the apparently dying ob¬
ject was indantly revived. The effedl, however, was
only temporary *, the former date recurred again; the
affufion was repeated, and the effedl was fimilar. — By
repeating this procefs at intervals, life was preferved
lor upwards of twelve hours, when apparently it could
not have gone on, without fuch means, for as many
minutes. The effedl was Angular, — fimilar to what
follows the affufion of cold water upon a dying fiffi,
the fubjedt of the experiment reviving and finking al-
ternaielv, according as the means were employed or
withheld.

6 With the relation of what happened at Havannah in
mind, and the example of what happened to the ne¬
gro child before the eye, the fubjedl of cold bathing
lirongly attradled the author’s attention. The pradlice,
in fhort, was adopted by him in the year 1774. It
was tried without fear ; and the effedts were favour¬
able beyond expectation. It was employed freely in
the Wed Indies; and it was even tried in England
prior to the year 1791, though only in a few indances;
for the prejudices againd fuch a remedy were not to
be eadly overcome. The experiments of the practice
have, however, been fo numerous, and the proofs of
the benefits fo multiplied, fo varied, and io amply ex¬
tended indifferent climates, and in different conditions^
of difeafe, during the late war, that the memory of
what happened in the preceding period utay be a!-

T t 3 lowed

434 JackfonV Remarks on the Briti/h Army.

lowed to be fuperfeded, or blotted out. Since the
year 1791, that the author’s treatife on the fevers of
Jamaica made its appearance, his experience has
been exercifed in an ample field ; and his opportuni¬
ties of witneffing the effefts of bathing have proba¬
bly been greater than thofe of any other perfon in
Britain, probably than any other perfon in Europe.
Without predilection in favour of a remedy, of which,
though not the difcoverer (for the difcoverers are not
of this age or country), he aflumes fome claim in de¬
fining the principle which ought to d i re 64 the applica¬
tion, he does not hefitate to fay, that, if there be a
charm among the means employed for the relief or
abrupt cure of fever, it is found in a judicious manage¬
ment of warm and cold bathing. The proofs are not
confined to folitary inftances ; for it has occurred
almoft daily, that perfons who had entered the bath¬
ing room under fymptoms of the moft threatening
afpeCf, have demanded their clothes, that they might
return to their military duties, after the routine of ope¬
ration performed in this place was completed, — a rou¬
tine, of which bathing was the 1 aft and moft import¬
ant part. In fevers of a certain form, in a certain
ftage of progrefs, or after a certain preparation, the
efFedt is generally decifive of health.’

In order to enfure the good efifedt of cold bathing,
it is neceftary that a. fufceptibility of impreffion exift
in the furface of the body, and that in a confiderabie
degree. Whatever tends to increafe this, favours the
addon of the remedy. Hence previous warm bathing,
warm air, fridtions of the (kin, and fometimes bleed¬
ing, are of great ufe preparatory to the employment
of the cold bath, which by no means adls, the author
thinks, merely by abftraCting excefs of heat, as has
been fuppofed by ail from the time of Galen to the
prefent, ■ The application of the remedy,’ he ob-
i'erves, • is thus indicated by excefs of heat the be¬
nefits are even eftirpated according to the abfolute
quantity of heat, meafured by a thermometer. The

JackfonT 'Remarks on the Britifh Army . 435

rule of meafuring the heat by a thermometer, aims at
exadtnefs ; but it is defective in application, for it
does not touch all the circumftances of the cafe. It
will be found, upon trial, that fenfation gives a better
Idea of morbid heat, than a thermometer ; in fhort,
meafure by fenfation is that to which we mult at laft
refort. A thermometer only meafures abfolute quan¬
tity ; it gives no information on the fubjedt of quality,
whether of the kind confident with life, or of the kind
which indicates the prefence of a procefs leading to
disorganization and deftruclion. it is commonly
known, that increafe of heat is ufually a fymptom in
fever ; and it is admitted, in this place, that a certain
condition of increafed heat, but not every condition,
furni flies an indication for the employment of cold
bathing. It is poffible that excefs of heat may exift,
and it aCtually does exift, without fuperfcial excitabi¬
lity, that is, without a due lhare of fenfibility of fur-
face, both in the early period and in the latter flages
of fever. Such condition of fever is common in
fpring; common with Europeans, foon after their arrb
val in tropical climates, both at the commencement
and in the after period of the difeafe, either as connect¬
ed with plethora, or with internal congeftion. The
heat is then often ardent, particularly on the trunk
of the body. A thermometer, in this cafe, proves a
fallacious guide. It indicates a high temperature ;
but experience proves, that cold bathing does no
good ; — it probably does harm in the cafe connected
with internal congeftion. To trials in fuch cafes, it is
believed, the credit of this remedy has been often fa-
criftced in the fever of the Weft Indies, and probably
in the fever of America. But farther ; if an increafe
of heat, as indicated by the thermometer, or even by
fenfation, be confidered as a circumftance uniformly
neceffary for the fafe and ufeful employment of cold
bathing, the remedy will be denied to that numerous
clafs of fevers in which the (kin is moift and foft, cool,
even cooler than natural, though retaining an equal

T t 4 tore

436 JackfonV Remarks o?i the Britijh Army.

ihare of the life and fenfibility which yet continues to
animate the frame; a cafe not uncommon in warm
climates, where tremors, ftartings, and faintings,
make prominent features of the difeafe. Here, wafh-
ing with cold water, at lead with cold fait water, is
known to be Angularly beneficial. If it then be true,
that cold bathing is ufeful without an apparent excels
of heat, and that an excels of heat may exift where
cold bathing is not ufeful, it is evident that excels of
heat, as expreffed by a thermometer, even by fen fa -
tion, cannot be allowed to be the radical condition
on which the benefits of cold bathing in fevers de¬
pend, nor the meafure of fuch heat the rule where¬
by to fandlion its life. Caufe and effect are not fe pa-
ra'ble. Cold bathing always produces effect where
there is a quick fufceptibility of impreffion ; where
that is wanting, it has little perceptible aCtion. But
if cold bathing, independently of this, be fuppofed to
cure fever on the principle limply of abftraCting ex¬
cefs of heat, the cure of the difeafe may be conducted
in fuch manner as never to fail ; for cold, in its appli¬
cation, is capable of being carried to line point not
only of ahftraciing excels, but even of extinguishing
juft proportion. It is, however, fully proved, that
morbid excefs of beat may be extinguilhed while
difeafe remains ; or that proceffes deftruclive of life
may go on in fevers, without any unufual extrication
of animal heat. Heat is only one condition, or one
expreflion, of deranged action ; it is not the uniform
and pofitive caufe of the difeafe, which it ought to be,
on the fuppofition that abftra&ion of its excefs cuts
thort the courfe of the difeafed motions. This is fo
evident, that it would not have been neceffary to have
laid fo much in explanation of a matter which is clear,
did not common opinion reft the value of the remedy
on a fuppofed abftraCiion of heat. In that view it is
only of limited application ; it even appears, if there
be any faith in experience, to encounter contradiction.
In the point of faCh, on that ground. On the other,

■ as

JackfonV Remarks cm the BrtiiJJi Army. 437

as affing by reftoring the natural rhythm of movement
in the organic ftrucfure by the force of a new ilimu-
lus, it preferves a confident, intelligible, and clear
explanation throughout/

Geftation or travelling is another remedy in fever
that has been recommended by the author e'xclufiyely,
and which appears to reft on fufficient experience.
Several inftances are here adduced of its ftrikingly good
effefts in home of the leaft manageable cafes of lever:
nor did expofure to cold or wet appear to prevent the
efficacy of the remedy. It is feldom ufeful, however,
in the commencement of fever. The period at which
the falutary effect is mod certainly experienced, is the
point of time when the circle of the difeafed motions
is completed, or nearly fo : this may happen after the
third day, but rarely till after the fifth or feventh.
Geftation is not beneficia l where there are figns of ple¬
thora, nor even fate where there exift figns of in¬
flammation in the internal organs.

Peruvian bark, blifters, wine and opium, and mer¬
cury, are each of them confidered in turn ; and their
refpedfive values, as remedies for fever, attempted to
be afcertained. Wine and opium are not confidered
by the author as radical means of cure, bur rather as
acceffories, and chiefly ufeful in the latter flages of the
difeafe. There is reafon to fuppofe, he thinks, that
tbefe remedies have been much abufed of late wars,
particularly in military hofpitals. Their extend ve ufe
originated in a miftaken notion of the nature of fever,
viz. that it confided effenti-ally in debility ; whilii wine
and opium, as itim mating powers, were fuppofed pe¬
culiarly appropriated to remove the debilitating caufe.

The author’s opinion of mercury, as a remedy ip
fever, is lefs favourable than that entertained by many
others, though he does not deny its occasional utility.
It is a remedy, he obferves, of uncertain operation, and
therefore not to be relied on to the exclusion of other
means. In fevers of the concentrated form, ufuaily

< cu

438 Fogo on the Ancient and Modern PJn/Jicians .

called Yellow Fever in the Weft Indies, with figns of
plethora, torpor, fufpenfi on of fecretions, and fufpended
power of the abforbent fyftem, it rarely has any action.
Where falivation does take place from the ufe of mer¬
cury, it is more frequently a fign of a mild difeafe,
than of the falutary operation of the remedy.

On the fubjeft of relapfe, many important obferva-
tions occur, which we are precluded from entering
into in detail. The chief preventative of rclapfeis
temperance, together with emetics and brifk purga¬
tives ; bark, exercife in the open air, and animating
employments.

We have thus terminated our analyfis of this vafti-
able work, in which we find little to object to, ex¬
cept in point of language. The frequent recurrence
of the terms, figure of aftion — harmonic rhythm of
movement — uni fon of movement — aftion of creation—
afb’on of diftolution — affion of the caufe loofening
the hinges of organization — tune to harmony — loofen¬
ing the cords of life— with many others of^the like
kind, are by much too figurative for the purpofes of
medicine ; inconfiftent, incongruous, and unneceftary,
and eafily leading to the adoption of erroneous ideas.
They mean, in fact, no more than admits of expreftion
in veryfimple language — that fever confifts in irregular
aftion of the fyftem, and that this is to be counter¬
acted and overcome by ftimulating powers of ftill
ftronger impreilion. We are much inclined to quef-
tion the power alhgned by the author to fome of the
remedies, that of direftly reftoring the healthy aftion,
or, to ufe his own term, the harmonic rhythm of move¬
ment. The difpofition to this muft of itfelf exift in
the fyftem ; and it appears fufficient in general to
put a flop to the irregular movements, in order to its
taking place.

Art. LXIV. Ohfervations on the Opinions of Ancient
and Modern Phyjicians> including thojc of the late

Dr,

Fogo on the Ancient and Modern Phyjicians . 439

Dr. Cullen, refpecting the Nature and Caufe of
the Uterine Difcharge ; aljo Objervations on the
Opinions of Dr. Cullen on Amenorrhea , or Green
Slcknefs ; of Dr. Saunders on Difeajes of the
Liver ; of Dr. Thomas on Cachexia African a ;
and of HO r. Beddoes on Scrof ula ; and Remarks
on the Method of Cure of what has been called
Chlorofis , Amenorrhea , or Green Sicknefs , as de¬
livered to us by our late Preceptor , and other emi¬
nent Phyjicians . By A. Fogo, Surgeon , 8vo,

103 pages, price 3s. Newcaftle, 1803.

^ | ‘"'HE firft fubjeft which the author of the prefent
fi pamphlet examines is chlorofis , which, he ob-
ferves, has unfortunately and unaccountably been
fuppofed, by medical men of all ages, as the caufe of
all the bad health of the fuffering female. The fub-
je£t, as is too often the cafe, has been taken up by the
wrong end ; the effedt has been taken for the caufe,
which of nec'effity has led, and muft lead, to an
abfurd and dangerous pradtice. As a proof of this,
the author examines the different theories which have
been propofed in order to explain the fundlion of
menftruation, and finds reafon to be diffatisfied with
them all, except that of Dr. Cullen, which fuppofes
the exiftence of a local plethora or congeffion in the
uterus. This, however, does not explain the regular
recurrence of the phenomenon ; and the author,
wifely enough, takes it as an ultimate fadt incapable
of explanation, though not more fo than the other
operations of living nature. He confiders that this
evolution of the uterus is perfectly analogous to the
growth and flowering of a vegetable at a certain pe¬
riod of its life, and therefore that the vulgar term
flowers is the only expreffive one that is applied to
*the menflrual fecretiom The following is his mode
of arguing this point.

c It is proved by many experiments, that a vegetable
is an inferior or imperfeft animal $ and it appears evi¬
dent

440 Fogo on the Ancient and Modern Thyficians •

dent that the Bower performs every action fimilar to
the uterus of animals : upon being evolved, impreg¬
nation takes place, that geftation and parturition fol¬
low.

6 We fee thefe appearances take place in animals
and vegetables at various diftances of time, but we
may not be able to account for the caufes. We fee
effects, but know nothing of caufes : excepting a few
experiments with the mechanical powers, we know
nothing j not even the caufes of our own trifling ac¬
tions.

* If we are ignorant of the caufe, and are aftoniflbed
to fee a red Bower ifiue from the top of a green plant,
we may be more aftonifhed that all green plants do
not produce red flowers. If a man was to attempt to
explain the reafon why ail flowers were not of the fame
colour, his book would contain the fame fuppofitions
and may-bes which thofe about this wonderful dif-
charge do, and the books would be equally puzzling
and uninftructing. Although Dr. Cullen has account¬
ed for the firft appearance of the difcharge very inge-
nioufly, he has not been fo fortunate in accounting for
its periodical return. He thinks the power of habit
may have a great fhare in caufing the repetitions. Can
the power of habit make the hellebore flower in De¬
cember, or the very delicate leucojum in January,
when covered with fnow ; or the apple tree to blof-
fom oil aim oft the fame day in each focceeding year ;
or an uglv worm to be changed into a beautiful fly *
or a pair of goldfinches of eleven months old to con-
ftrucl a moft elegant warm neft, fo like that in which
they were hatched, that the moft attentive naturalift
cannot difeover one article in the old but what is in
the new?”

5 We fee animals and vegetables are only capable
of being impregnated at certain ages and feafons.
An annual vegetable goes through all the procefles of
growth, impregnation, geftation, and parturition, in
the courfe of twelve months, and dies j others require

two.

Fogo on the Ancient and Modern Thy fi clans 441

two, others three years, to perform the fame. The
fame is the cafe with inferior animals and infers*
The vegetables of larger growth are not complete¬
ly evolved under fix or more years. Some animals
are capable of being impregnated at the age of twelve
months ; others, of a more perfeft kind, require two,
three, twelve, fixteen years. The greateft wifdom
appears in the ordering of thefe matters, which need not
be pointed out to an obferver of moderate penetration,

€ We know, from experience and obfervation, that
a young woman is capable of being impregnated, and
of being able to produce one of her own fpecies, after
a fin all quantity of blood has been difeharged from
the parts of generation, or, in more expreffive terms,
after (lie has dowered ; that file is not capable of
thefe actions before fire has flowered; and that
women who never dowered have been barren.

6 The parts of generation of all our domeftic viviparous
animals are evolved in the fame manner at certain ages,
and undergo fimilar changes, and put on fimilar ap¬
pearances, as the human. Though the parts of the
females do not difeharge red blood, there is great tume¬
faction, and a difeharge of a ferous nature, feme times
tinged with blood. Some of them are in that fituation
only once a year ; others four, five, or fix times, and
produce young as often. The fame appearance takes
place in the female of the human fpecies, when unim¬
pregnated and in health, twelve times a-year. it
is natural to her, and ordered to be fo for very
evident reafons. There is nothing more wonderful
in it than there is in obferving a red, yellow, blue, or
white flower appear on the top of a green plant of one
year old, or on a tree of fifteen.

c if a man had never feen a plant, he would wonder
when he faw a few green leaves rife out of the earth,
after he had buried a pea. His wonder would in-
creafe as the flalk increafed ; but he would be more
aftoniilied, when a leaf of a beautiful red colour, and

fragrarft

442 Fogo on the Ancient and Modern Phyjicians .

/ ' • . - t .

fragrant fmell, ifiued from the top, fucceeded by very
grateful fruit.

‘ I have fometimes amufed myfelf by conlidermg
what our mother Eve would think of thefe proceed*
ings. As fhe had no experienced female to explain
the appearances, llie would wonder when the flower
appeared; her furprife would be increafed when file
lelt fomething, as if alive, within her: but herailonifh-
ment would be at the highelf, when a lufty boy falut-
ed her ears with a loud fcream.

‘ Her daughters, now, feeing fuch things happen
daily, fo far from being furprifed, fome of them with
for nothing fo much as to feel fomething alive within
them.

‘ The male and female of the canine and other
fpecies will eat and deep in company for months with¬
out any inclination to copulate : indeed, there is not
a poffibility of doing fo. But, as foon as the veffels of
the uterus take on a certain action, the external parts
fvvell, are enlarged, and capable of admitting the male.
Impregnation takes place, and, like a vegetable, the
fruit fets and the flower withers. There is no more
admifiion for the male, till fome months after parturi¬
tion, when the parts are in the fame fituation men¬
tioned before, by the veffels taking on the fame action
as before.

* The illuftrious Haller fays, “ Since none but the
human fpecies are properly fubject to this menftrual
flux of blood (although there are fome animals, who.,
at the time of their vernal copulation, diflil a final! quan¬
tity of blood from their genitals), and fince the body of
the male is always free from the like difcharge, it has
been a great inquiry in all ages, what fliould be the
caufe ot this ianguine excretion peculiar to the fair
i'exL—Firjl Lines , 856.

4 If we compare the parts of generation of animals
to the parts ot fr unification of vegetables, we will (ihall)
difcover as many claffes of animals as there are of vege¬
tables, with the feveral diftinttions of perfect, irn-

perfecl.

Fogo on the Ancient ancl Modern Phyficians . 445

perfe£I, hermaphrodite, monoecious, dioecious, &c.
The viviparous animals may be compared to the
dioecious clafs of vegetables, as the parts of generation
and fru£liHcation grow on different animals and vege¬
tables: and it is well known, that, if the male and female
plants are not within a certain difiance, the flow¬
ers of both are evolved in vain, and drop off, without
any impregnation or fruit being produced.

c After having attempted to prove that the difcharge
of a fmall quantity of found blood from the parts of
generation of the female of the human fpecies, at a
certain age, and at periodical times, fo far from being
the “ mofl curious phenomenon, and the mod difficult
to be accounted for,” on the contrary, is as eaiily ac¬
counted for as any other evolution or addition in the
human body; and is drifitly analogous to every evolu¬
tion or addition which take place in other animals,
and even in vegetables.

* The caufe, as I mentioned above, I neither know,
nor have the preemption to attempt to explain. I
know that an egg, when expofed to a proper degree
of heat, will produce a chicken; and that a pea will
produce a Aalk fix feet long, adorned with flowers,
fucceeded by fruit ; but, of the caufe, I know nothing.

4 This appearance in the human fpecies is nothing
but a charatieriftic which diftinguifhes it from other
animals ; and, for very evident veafons, unneceffary to
be mentioned to the reader of moderate difeernment.*

The author next endeavours tofhew thatamenorrhoea,
chlorofls, dyfpepfia, and hypochondriafis, cachexia afri-
cana, and fcrofula, indead of being different, are in real¬
ity one and the fame difeafe, and neither more norlefs
at bottom than chronic inflammation of the liver. In
order to prove his pofition, a general table of fymp*
toms of thofe difeafes is given for thepurpofes ofcom-
parifon, but from which, we apprehend, any other
perfon would be irrefifliblv led to draw the oppoiite

conclufion ;

444 Fogo on the Ancient and Modern PhyjicianS.

conclufion ; viz. that the difeafes in queftion were al¬
together diffimiiar.

It is then obferved, that f it is evident that the gafiric
liquid is of a very acrimonious nature. It has been
known to deftroy the coats of the ftomach itfelf after
death: that unlefs it is corrected by a fufhcient quan¬
tity of found bile, fecreted by the liver, it muji occafion
many unpleafant lenfations and incurable difeafes.’-— ^
It would have been as well, perhaps, had the author
condefeended to inform us, from what and how many
experiments he drew thefeconcluflons— - how he knows
that the gaftric fluid is fo very acrimonious, and that
it occaiions io many unpleafant fenfations and incura¬
ble difeafes. We have heard that this juice is not at
all remarkable for its fenfible qualities ; wre have
heard it once faid, indeed, that it had corroded the
ftomach itfelf; but as but one perfon ever obferved
this, and he only on one occafion, many have fufpecfed
a miftake in point of fa£h

Chronic hepatitis, according to our author, is as
common and frequent as the tooth-ach ; is as eafily
difcovered, and fometimes as eafily cured. A man,
he fays, can feldom walk through the flreets, or mix
in any large company, without obferving feveral
faces, pale, green, livid, and yellow, whofe owners
are labouring under this very difeafe. Thefe are im-
portant difcoveries, and it is to be hoped practitioners
toill profit by them.

The cachexia africanci , as defcribed by Dr. Thomas *
and others, is next adduced, to prove that both it ami
chlorofis are ft ill chronic hepatitis. 6 On looking
over the fymptoms of the cachexia a Incan a, or dirt eat¬
ing, among the Haves in the Weft Indies, which Dr.
Thomas fays is a frequent and very fatal difeafe, one
is ft ruck with the fymptoms being identically the fame
as thofe of the other two fuppofed difeafes ; and, alfo,
thofe of the real difeafe, the chronic inflammation of

* Modern Prattles of Phjfc.

Fogo on the Ancient and Modern Phyjicians. 445

tbe liver. The Do61or allows that the fymptoms are
nearly the fame as thofe in chlorofis, but fays, cc they
differ in this circumdance, that the latter only affefls
females, and that, principally, at a certain age ; but
that men and boys were fubje£t to it.” That women,
men, and boys, thould labour under the fame difeafe,
fee ms to flagger the Doctor. He allows it may be
chloroiis in the females, but what can it be owing to
in the men and boys? On diffeflion, after death,
the liver was found of an increafed fize, fchirrous,
and preternaturally white : biliary concretions fome-
times in the gall bladder ; bile of an unhealthy ap¬
pearance, ufually of a thin, watery confidence, of a
ilightly yellow or frefh colour.” Did all thefe cir¬
ca mil mice s fail to open the Doflor’s eyes? Yes, the
univerfal phantom, that * * * * fpeffre chlorofis, darted
up, twitched the Dodlor by the fleeve, ilyly pointed
to a certain fpot, rivetted his attention to things be¬
low, rendered him incapable of raifing his attention
to things above, where he might foon have difeovered
the caufe of all the mifery. That a profeffional M.D.
thould fee the liver fchirrous, &c., and never to fuf-
pecl that it poffibly might have feme (hare in produc¬
ing the fymptoms, nor ever to examine the date of
the liver before death, when he fays there was a con-
dant pain of the ftomach, when there were all the
fymptoms of obdrufted bile, codivenefs, clay-coloured
dools, &c., knowing, or ought to have known, that
difeafes in the liver are very frequent in hot climates,
and never to pay the lead attention to the cir-
cumdances, mud give the reader a very unfavourable
opinion of the Author of the Modern Practice of Phy-
fic. He feem s' to have fucked the fame nurfe who
reared Dr. Cullen’s 'annotator/

The fcrofula, as it affefts the mefenteric glands, is
mentioned as another variety of difeafed liver. After
pointing out feveral inconfiftencies in one of Dr. Bed-
does s pamphlets on this fubject, he afks, with feme
point and quaintnefs, “ whence thefe diametrically
voL. x. U u oppofite

446 Fogo on the Ancient and- Modern Phyjicians .

oppofite opinions ? May a great writer be compared
to a great talker ?”

t , ■

.k: ; 'i. " V. ' , i : ' • • , • s -

As the author differs fb widely in his view of the
nature of chlorofis and the reft, it will naturally be
imagined that his method of cure is not lefs remote
from the ordinary one in ufe. Upon this point, how¬
ever, he m extremely concife; the following cafe con¬
taining all that relates to it.

* Mifs E. F., about eighteen years old, had been in
a bad ftate of health about three years; was very much
emaciated ; a pale, greeniih colour ; her ftrength ex~
haufted fo far, that fhe was only able to walk gently
about the houfe, or in the garden ; her appetite was
very weak; had conftant violent pain in the region of
the ftomaeh; had taken a great quantity of medicines,,
as fhe faid in general terms, they were often changed,
and fuppofed fhe had taken almoft every thing the
fhops contain. Among others, had taken repeated
emetics; was often mortified, by being told by her
phyfician, & c., that the pain was occalioned by fome-
thing improper fhe had eaten, when fhe was confcious
that the had eat nothing but the common diet of the
family, and very little of that.

{ The cafe I fuppofe had been taken for what has-
been called chlorofis, as there bad been no uterine dif*
charge for many months* She was condemned to eat
animal food, without vegetables; to drink a few
glaftes of wine alter dinner; and was forbid to tafte
fruit of any fort. As the family was opulent, and able
to command the belt medical advice, i afked no quef-
tions ofherfelfor family, when I met them at a mutual
friend’s houfe.

* After fuch a continuation of fhffertngs and morti¬
fications, the family as well as young lady herfelf cle^
fpaired of her recovery. Being on a vifit, I was or¬
dered to examine into her fituation, and prefcribe any
eourfe of diet or medicine I thought might relieve her-

« » * , J '

Fogo on the Ancient and Modern Phyjicians . 447

mifery. Her diet was particularly difagreeable to
her, efpecially the wine.

5 After obfervirig there was little cough or expec¬
toration, or heCtic fymptoms, I examined the region
of the Aomach, where the pain was fixed. The right
hypochondnum was very hard, the liver projected be¬
yond the ribs, and felt fo fixed that it feemed to ad¬
here to the peritoneum, and very fore when gently
prefled. The pain was conftant ; the could not find
an eafy poilure in bed ; confequently^ got very little
ileep.

* As the difeafe had been of fuch a long Handing*
and probably rendered obflinate by the treatment, I
could not give a favourable prognoflic ; but, to com¬
ply with the commands of the family, I ordered fome
medicines of the alterative, aperient, attenuating kind,
aflifled by a diet of the lighted animal food, broths full
of vegetables, light puddings, as much ripe fruit as
fhe chofe, water, or fmall beer, without wine.

5 Though forfeited by a long courfe of difagreeable
medicines, and defpairing of a recovery, the confefled,
the idea of the diet being changed to one fhe fo often
wifhed for infpired her with frefli hopes; and, having
naturally great refolution, took the medicines very re¬
gularly. In the fpace of a month, the bulk, hardnefs,
and pain in the region of the liver were confiderably
leflened, and by the month of November fhe difcon-
tinued all medicines. Her health and flrength in-
creafed, and fhe has continued in health, in every re~
fpeCt; till this time, January 1803.

f In the fpace of two years, the female fervants, to
the number of fix, two men and two women in the vil¬
lage, were attacked, by the fame complaint; but, as
the diforder \vas foon deteCted, by their complexion re»
fembling that of the young lady, they were eafily cured
by fimilar medicines. The great number of flmilar
cafes in the fame village inclined them to form a poflk
tive ooinion that the difeafe was infectious.’

U u 2 It

448 Winterbottom on the Africans in Sierra Leone .

It is to be wifhed that the author had been a little
more explicit in his dire&ions for the treatment ; one
would almoft fufpeft he was purpofely obfeure on the
fubjech Chlorofis is a difeafe often very difficult to
remove, and frequently degenerates into fatal con*
fumption. Every fuggeftion, therefore, for its relief
that wears the face of novelty is deferving of atten¬
tion. In the failure of ordinary means it is natural to
recur to fome of an oppofke nature ; and we confefs
the treatment here recommended appears to cor re-
fpond in many points with the natural indications, as
arifing out of the fymptoms.

Art. LXV. An Account of the Native Africans in
the Neighbourhood of Sierra Leone ; to which is
added , an Account of the prefent State of Medicine
among them . By Thomas W inte r b o t t o m 3M. D.y
Phyfician to the Colony of Sierra Leone . 8vo5 2
vols. Yol. II, price 7s ; containing the medical
part of the work, and fold feparately. London ?
1803. Hatchard, & c.
lROM the fituation and opportunities of the au¬
thor, during a refidence of fome years in Africa,,
we were naturally enough led to expeCl, on perufal
of the volume before us, an intereiiing, if not an in-
flru&ive and ufeful, narrative of the Hate of difeafes*
and of the art of medicine, amongfl a large but rude
and uncultivated part of mankind, furniihed by the.
perfonal experience and obfervation of the author.
Our expectations, however, have feldom been more
completely difappointed. His own obfervations, even-
when joined with the accompanying reflections, might
be eaffiy comprifed within the com pa is of a very few
pages ; the far greater part of the volume being made
up of extraCts from various writers, oitentiines on fub-
jcCls of which the author, during his refidence in
Africa, had no experience whatever. Thus, for in-
fiance, an entire chapter of feven-and twenty pages is
devoted to an account of the Guinea worm, dracun -

cuius- y

f ' .

Win turbot tom on the Africans in Sierra Leone . 449

cuius , or medinenfis , though it does not appear

that the author ever once met with the difeafe ; but
has borrowed his accounts from Moore , Mangetus „
Parky I forty Loeffer , RouppCy Bruce , and others, who
have written on the fubjefl : and nearly as much
might be faid of many other points here treated of.
That many ohftacles would prefent themfelves, in an
attempt to trace the afiual fiate of medicine among fo
barbarous a people, might eafily be conceived; and
they are fufficiently accounted for by the author, when
he refers them c partly to a want of knowledge of the
different languages fpoken by the nations who are the
fubjefl of it, and partly to the great unwillingnefs
which they fbew to difclofe the fecrets of their me¬
dical art.5 With refpefi to the latter, however, it is
probable that none ex ill worth the labour of a fearcln
The only advantage that could be reafonably looked
for, in fuch a fuuaiion, was the difcovery of fome in¬
digenous remedies that might lead to a more fuccefs-
ful treatment of European maladies. It is jufily ob-
ferved, that we are indebted to nations more rude
than .thofe of Africa, and inhabiting countries which
poilefs fewer natural advantages, for fome of .our moil:
valuable medicines. The author adds, that he has
taken pains to difcover thofe remedies upon which the
natives place their chief dependance for the cure of
difeafes. Thefe are mentioned according to their na¬
tive denominations, but in fo very general a way, that
little utility is derivable from them, unaccompanied as
they are, for the moil: part, with any botanical cha^
rafters that might ferve to diftinguiffi them hereafter.

The introduflory chapter contains fome general ob-
fervations on the origin of medicine, not as it refpefh
Africa in particular, but fuch as are commonly pre¬
fixed to general medical treatifes, and of no particu¬
lar application. Like other rude nations, the natives
cf Africa blend medicine and magic together; fo that
jit is difficult to difcover frequently on which the rely
for fuccefso s Although they imagine that ever drf-

U u 3 eafe

4 SO Winterbottom on the Africans in Sierra Leone .

eafe attended with danger is occafioned by witchcraft
or poifon,yet they readily admit that ficknefs may oc¬
cur independently of thefe caufes. In fupport of this
opinion they argue, that if a vefTel of any kind be filled
with clean water every day, and be not waffled out, it
muft at length become foul ; hence, fay they, arifes the
neceffity of wafhing the ftomach from time to time
with fome medicine, although unattended with any
operative effects. Another reafon why they fuppcfe
the ftomach to be the chief feat of difeafe, is the lofs
of appetite which fo frequently attends it, and which
is to them the moft alarming fymptom. When the
body is difordered, from whatever caufe, they do not
believe that it can be again reftored to health (imply
by its own powers, or by the powers of nature as they
are called, of which they have not the fmalleft notion.

* In colledling medicines for ufe, they pay no regard
to the phafes of the moon, nor do they refer any of their
difeafes to the influence of this planet. Thofe who
live upon the coaft are of opinion, that people can only
die at high or low tided- — The fuppofed influence
of the tides on human life is of very old belief, and by
no means peculiar to the African race, and therefore
hardly neceffary to be noticed here. Nor was it
worth while to remark, c that it is very common for
thofe who are indifpofed to go and refide for fome
time in a diftant village, in order to take medicines
from fome one who has acquired celebrity for the
pure of a particular diforder’ ; and ‘ that this is frequent¬
ly fome old woman fince our own quarter of the globe
furnifhes fo many inflances of the fame thing.

It h as been fuppofed by fome, that the Africans are
not liable to the attacks of remittent fever; an opinion
that appears to be wdthout foundation, and contrary
to the experience of the author. To alleviate the vo¬
miting which often occurs in fevers, they drink a
warm infufion of the capficum ; or they fwallow a few
pods of it gently bruifed. The juice of the lime is al-
fo taken with the fame intention. For the headach,

Winterbottom on the Africans in Sierra Leone . 45 t

they apply a great variety of aromatic plants exter¬
nally ; and when thefe fail to relieve, they have re»
courfe to cupping; which is the only method of draw¬
ing blood they are acquainted with. This is general¬
ly done; by fome old woman, who makes a number of
fin all inclfions, with a (harp-pointed knife, in the ikin
of the temples or forehead, as near as poffible to the
feat of the pain, and places over the inciiions the half
of a final] gourd, formed into a cup ; rarefying the air
by burning a little dry grafs or cotton in it. It is the
■cnftem with fome, when affected with headach, to He
upon the hearth before a large fire, having a heavy
ftone laid upon one fide of the head. A fimilar prac¬
tice is faid to be followed by the Mongeartsy a nation
of Africa, “ who in headach bind the head with fuch
extraordinary violence, as to force out the blood from
•the forehead.5’*

Oedematous fwellings of the lower extremities are
faid to be not unfrequent. For the cure, it is ufual to
apply the beaten and heated leaves of a tree called
idee or imj by the Bulloms, or elfe the "leaves of the
ricinus, rubbing the legs downwards with fome de^
gree of force. A copious perfpiration of the part ge¬
nerally enfues, on removing the application, and put¬
ting the patient to bed : other act ids ore .a Ifo apple d
for the fame purpofei

The Africans are find to be fubjedt to a peculiar
fpecies of lethargy ;x which they are much afraid of, as
it proves fatal in every infrance:5- — from the paffage
which follows it does not appear to be fo univerfally
Fatal. 4 This difeafe is very frequent in the Foola
.country, and it is faid to be mudh more common in the
interior parts . of the country than upon the fea coalh
.Children are very rarely, or never, affe£ied with this
complaint, nor is it more common among flaves than
among free people, though it is afferted that the Haves
from Benin are very fubje£t to it. At the commence-

' ' i. _ f

* J>au£nUr and B riflin' s Voyages to the Coaft of Africa.

U u 4 merit

452 Winterbottom on the Africans in Sierra Leone ,

ment of the difeafe, the patient has commonly a raven¬
ous appetite, eating twice the quantity of food he
was accuftomed to take when in health, and becom¬
ing very fat. When the difeafe has continued fome
time, the appetite declines, and the patient gradually
waftes away. Squinting occurs fometimes, though
very feldom, in this difeafe, and in fome rare instances
the patient is carried off in convulfions. Small glan¬
dular tumours are fometimes obferved in the neck a
little before the commencement of this complaint,
though probably depending rather upon accidental
circumftances than upon the difeafe itfelf. Slave
traders, however, appear to conlicler thefe tumours as
a fymptom indicating a difpofition to lethargy, and
they either never buy fuch (laves, or get quit of them as
foon as they obferve any fuch appearances. The dif¬
pofition to deep is fo ftrong, as fcarcely to leave a fuff
ficient refpite for the taking of food; even the repeated
application of a whip, a remedy which has been fre¬
quently ufed, is hardly fufficient to keep the poor
wretch awake. The repeated application of bliffers
and of fetonshas been employed by European furgeons
without avail, as the difeafe, under every mode of
treatment, ufually proves fatal within three or four
months. The natives are totally at a lofs to what
caufe this complaint ought to be attributed ; fweating
is the only means they make life of, or from which
they hope for any fuccefs : this is never tried but in in*
cipient cafes, (or when the difeafe has been of any con¬
tinuance they think it in vain to make the attempt.
The root of a grafs, called by the Soofoos bailee, and
the dried leaves of a plant, called in Soofoo fingka,
are boiled for fome time in water, in an iron pot;
when this is removed from the fire, the patient is feat-
ed over it, and is covered over with cotton cloths, a pro-
cefs which never fails to excite a copious perfpiration.
Th is mode of cure is repeated two or three times a
day, and is perfifted in for a confiderable length of
firne, until the difeafe be carried off, or appears to be

. v gainin§

Winterbottom o?i the Africans in Sierra Leone . 453

» ’ i *

gaining ground. No internal medicines are given m
the complaint.’ \

Although in the treatment of the venereal difeafe
the Africans boaft the power of certain vegetable ful>
fiances, the author is convinced that they are not ac¬
quainted with any that poffefs real antifypbilitic pro¬
perties ; and when they excite a falivation, which they
do in every cafe of fyphilis, it is only by means of
mercury procured from Europeans. This difeafe,
though frequently met with among the native Africans*
there is great reafon to believe, the author obferves,
to have been in every inflance communicated by Euro¬
peans. c The Foolas and Mandingog have a difeafe
which they call laanda, of a very infectious nature, and
which bears a linking refemblance to the venereal
difeafe, though they confider them as elTentially dif¬
ferent. The iaanda makes its appearance upon the
glans or prepuce like a common chancre, but daily
fpreads, and in time deftroys the whole of the penis.
Dangerous haemorrhages frequently arife in confe-
quence or erofion, and the difeafe fometimes affeCfs
the throat, deftroying the bones of the nofe and palate/
is to be wifhed the author had been a little more
particular in bis account of this new difeafe, that his
readers might have been enabled to judge for them*
felves of its identity, or otherwife, with the venereal.
So much of what is contained in the prefent volume
is given from report, that we are at a lofs to know
when the author is delivering the refu.lt of his own ob-
fervation, and when detailing the remarks of others.

Toothach appears to be no lefs common among the
Africans than among Europeans. c The juice of the
gang-gang, Soofoo, or milk tree, called by the Tim-
manees prang, is recommended as a cure for toothach.

A few drops of this juice are diluted with water and
rubbed upon the gums, and a fingle drop is put into
the tooth when hollow, with the view of deftroving
the nerve. It is with the juice of this acrid plant that
the Foolas poifon their arrows ; a fingle drop introduced

into

454 Winterfaottom on the Africans in Sierra Leant *

into the eye excites moft excruciating pain, and it
f ollowed by iofs of fight. The inner part of the bark
.of the red water tree is fometimes fcraped fine, and
applied to the gums in toothach : it is very acrid,
and when chewed produces fome degree of torpor, or
flight paralyfis of the tongue.’ — Here it is that we re¬
gret the want of a fcientific defcription : fubftances
of fuch activity as thofe above mentioned muft doubt-
lets poffefs valuable medicinal properties, which ex¬
periment might develope.

In dyfentery, the Africans employ a remedy which
merits the notice of Europeans, and which will pro¬
bably make a valuable addition to the materia medica.
It is the bark of a large tree, called by the Foolas beU
lenda , and by the Soofoos and Mandingos, bembce |
rondeletia Africana . It is employed either in pow¬
der or in infufion: it is aftringent, with fomewhat of
a fweetifli tafte. It is faid to have been employed
with much fuccefs in London in diarrhoea, ague, fe¬
ver, fore throat, and dyfentery. A fuller account of
it is given in the Appendix, which will be noticed
hereafter.

A pretty long account is given of Elephantiafis, but
chiefly extracted from authors. Dr. W.’s own obfer-
vation of the difeafe appears to have been confined to
four or five inftances: of the treatment he has had no
experience. The difeafe begins with difcolourations
of the fkin, in patches of an irregular figure : in the
negro, the fkin changes to a light copper colour. The
patches are fmooth, and devoid of fen Ability, fo as to
be infenfible to pinching or pricking. The progrefs
of the difeafe is exceedingly flow, it continuing often
for feven or eight years. The general health frequent'
ly remains unimpaired. The Africans do not think
the difeafe to be contagious, though it is believed to
be hereditary. In feverer cafes, the joints of the
fingers and toes are affefled with ulceration : they be¬
come confiderably enlarged, and at length drop off.
The voice becomes hoarfe and guttural, from the

great

Winterbottom on the Africans in Sierra Leant. 453

great and fpreading ulceration in the throat and fauces.
The neck becomes much tumefied ; the ears ulcerat¬
ed ; the legs and feet, deprived of the toes, enlarge
greatly, apd entirely lofe their form. The whole of
the (kin Is likewife much thickened, and affedted in
various parts with foul ulcerations. The difeafe is
confdered by the Africans as incurable, though in the
milder form it appears not to he incompatible with
long life. The Hindoo phyficians coniider arfenic as
a fpecific in elephantiafis*.

The chapter on the draciincnlus , or Guinea worm*,
we flial! pafs over, for the reafon mentioned above.
Exceilive enlargements of the fcrotum are frequent in
Africa: the natives attribute the complaint to the
drinking palm wine in excefs. The fwelling appears
to be of a farcomatous nature : fimilar enlargements
of the legs are likewife common. This people appear
to be free from gout, but not from rheumatifm. They
endeavour to effedt a cure in the latter difeafe by
fweating ; but when this fails, they make, with a iharp
inffrument, an incirion upon one or both of the pa¬
tient's legs, through the fkin into the cellular mem¬
brane. Into this wround they introduce abollow reed,
or the hem of a pipe, and blow in as much air as
they think neceffary, or as the patient can fupport;
The wound is then covered with a piece of ifrongly
adhefive plafter, and a mixture compofed of pepper,,
lime juice, brandy, and certain herbs, is adminiftered
to the patient. He is next ordered to run as violent¬
ly as be can, and, when overcome with fatigue, to
betake himfelf to bed, where he remains a few days,
being kept all the time in a profufe fweat. The fwell¬
ing from the emphyfema generally begins to decline
perceptibly about the third day, and from the ninth
to the eleventh is no more to be feen.

Scrophula and confumption appear to be very rare
in Africa, though this people, when tranfplanted to
colder climates, often fall vidlims to them. But of all

9 Afialic Refearches, vol. If.

the

456 Winterbottoni on (he Africans in Sierra Leone*

the difeafes which are fuppofed to have originated in
Africa, as meafles, fmall-pox, Sic., the only one that
can be faid with any degree of certainty to be indige¬
nous in that continent is the Yaws. As this is a fub-
jedt of home intereft, and but little underftood in Eu¬
rope, we iball tranfcribe pretty fully from the obfer-
vations here given ; we have again, however, to com¬
plain, that it is impofObJe to diftinguifti when the au¬
thor is delivering the refult of his own ohfervation,
and when quoting from others merely. The value of
the remarks is thus greatly leffened, becaufe we are
left in the dark with regard to the authorities that
fupport the fadls and dedudbons, and confequentiy of
the credit due to them.

* This complaint (the yaws) is ufually preceded by
violent pains of the limbs, which fomewhat referable
thofe of rheumatifm, and are particularly fevere round
the joints ; thefe pains are attended with much lan¬
guor and debility, and frequently continue feveral days
•without any further appearance of difeafe. Thefe
precurfory fymptoms are fucceeded by a degree of
pyrexia, fometimes attended with rigour, though in
other inftances the fever is flight and fcarcely noticed.

< For the molt part the patient complains of head-
nch, lofs of appetite, and pains of the back and loins,
which are exacerbated towards evening. When thefe
fymptoms have continued a few days, they are followed
by an eruption of puftujes, more or lefs numerous,
which appear in various parts of the body, but efpecial-
Jy upon the forehead, face, neck, groin, pudenda,
and round the anus. The eruption of thefe puftules
is not completed over the whole body at one time,
neither do they (hew themfelves in any regular fuc-
cefiion on the different parts ; but while one crop is fall¬
ing off, another is making its appearance in another
place. Every frefh eruption of puftules is preceded
by a flight febrile paroxyfm. The puftules are filled
with an opake whitifh fluid; they are, at their firft ap^
pearance, not fo large as the head of a fmall pin, but

gradually

Winterbottom on the Africans in Sierra Leone. 4

3' #

gradually grow’ larger, until they attain the fize of a fix*
pence, or even of a (hilling. When the puftules burft,
a thick vifcid matter is difcharged, which forms a foul
and denfe cruft or fcai> upon the furface. In general,
the number andfizeof the puftules are proportioned to
the degree of eruptive fever: when the febrile fy nip-
toms are flight, there are few puftules, but they are
moftly of a larger fize than when the complaint is more
violent and extenfive. From the larger kind of puf¬
tules there frequently arife red fungous excrefcences
of various magnitudes, from the fize of a pea to that
of a large mulberry, which fruit, owing to their rough,
granulated furfaces, they fo me what referable. Thefe
tungi, though they rife confiderably above the furface
of the fkin, have but a (mall degree of fenfibility ; they
never fuppurate kindly, but gradually difcharge a for¬
did glutinous fluid, which forms an ugly fcab round
the edges of the excrescence, and covers the upper
part of it, when much elevated, with white Houghs-.
When thefe eruptions appear upon any part, of the
body covered with hair, the colour of the hair is gra¬
dually changed from black to white.

4 It fometimes happens at the commencement of
the difeafe, when thg puftules are few, that there is
fome doubt refpeCiing the nature of the complaint : to
determine this, the natives open one of the puftules,
and drop upon it a little of the juice of the capficum:
if it be of the yaw fpecies, little or no pain is excited.

‘This difeafe is communicable in every wrav in which
fyphilis can be produced, though it is lefs frequently
contracted by coition ; becaufe, as the complaint can
onlyaftedt the fame perfon once in his life time, and
as in Africa it is ufuallv gone through in childhood,
of courfe this mode of propagating it is in a great
meafure prevented. The difeafe never fp reads by
miafmata floating in the air : it can only be commu¬
nicated by the application of matter from a yaw puf-
tule or fore to a wound in a perfon who has not pre-
vioufly laboured under the difeafe. The complaint
is fometimes inoculated by means of a large fly. called

453 Winterbottom on the Africans in Sierra Leona

in the Weft Indies the yaw fly. When this infeff
alights upon a running yaw, which, the Africans ne¬
ver keep covered, and afterwards fettles upon the
body of an uninfedled perfon, it introduces the poifon^
if there happen to be a wound or fcrateh there, as ef¬
fectually as the moft dexterous furgeori.

c Dr. Bancroft fays, none ever receive this dis¬
order whofe fkins are whole ; for which reafon the
whites are rarely infeded ; but the backs of the ne¬
groes being often raw by whipping, and fuffered to
remain naked, they fcarce ever efcape it.”

4 Dr. Mofeley, in his elaborate Treatife on Sugar,
aflerts, that cc there are feveral diftempers of beftial
origin,” and is of opinion the “ yaws is one of them.”
It is to be regretted that Dr. Mofeley has not treated
more fully on this difeafe, as few perfons have had
greater opportunities of obfervation, or of turning
them to profit. Whether, from what is faid above,
Dr. Mofeley imagines the yaws to have originated in
confequence of a <£ beftial humour” being introduced
into the human body, like the matter of the cow-pox,
or whether he fuppofes that the difeafe arofe ex con-
cubitu virorum cum fimiis, as fome old authors have
Itrangely imagined, is not very evident. The Doctor
has certainly committed a flight error when he fays,
that the yaws “ breaks out in negroes without any
communication, fociety, or 'contact, ”■ and that s< the
feeds of the yaws defcend from thofe who have ever
bad it to their lateft pofterity.” This is fo far from
being the cafe in Africa, and it is to be hoped in the
Weft Indies alfo, that in no inftance whatever does
the difeafe arife except from the application of the
contagious matter of yaws to a perfon who has not
previoufly been affecled with it. Neither is there
more reafon to fuppofe that the feeds of this diforder
are tranfmittcd to pofterity by hereditary defcent, than
that the contagion of the fmalbpox, meafles, or any
other of the exanthemata, are communicated heredi¬
tarily. 1

4 The

IVinterbottom on the Africans in Sierra Leone. 4 5§'

c The ptiftules generally appear firft upon that pari
of the body where the contagious matter has been in¬
troduced, though I cannot, from my own observation,
determine, fmce the difeafe fo rarely happens in Africa
to adults, whether primary ulcers (hew themfelves on
the pudenda, when the difeafe has been contrasted by
venereal connection: it is very ufual, however, after
the fyftem has been infe&ed, for ulcers to appear on
thole parts, as is frequently feen in children. Buboes
rarely or never occur. When there is an ulcer or a
flight wound in any part, the p-uftules either appear
there firft, or are more copious there than elfe where ^
the furface of the fore or ulcer alfo changes from an
healthy appearance to a foul and doughy ftate, the
granulations become pale and fpongy, and the puru¬
lent difcharge is changed to ichor.

4 The duration of the complaint is very uncertain*
but it depends in feme degree upon the complete erup¬
tion of the puftules this, as has been faid, is not
completed at once, but may take up feveral weeks or
months : when no more puiiules are thrown out, and
when thofe already upon the (kin no longer increafe in-
fize, the difeafe is fuppGfed to have reached its acme,,
About this time it happens, on fome part of the body
or other, that one of the pufiules becomes much larger
than the reft, equalling or furpaffing the fize of an half-
crown piece : it album es the appearance of an ulcer,-
and, inftead of being elevated above the Ikin like
others, it is considerably depreffed ; the furface is foul
and doughy, and pours out an ill-conditioned ichor*
which fpreads very much, by corroding the furround-
ing found Ikin: this is what is called the mafler o c
mother yaw. if proper attention be not paid to keep
the furface of the ulcer clean by daily walking, the
niatter becomes very acrid, and, when near a bone,,
fometimes affecls it with canes.

4 When the fungous or mulberry-like excrefcences
appear upon the foies of the feet, they are prevented
from rifing by the refinance of the thick- hard epider-

m is.

460 Winterbottom on the Africans in Sierra Leant t

mis, and give fo much pain, that the perfon affe61ed
is unable to walk The fungi thus ft tuated are called
by the negroes in the Weft Indies tubba , or crab
yaws. They are fometimes fo large as to cover a
great part of the foie of the foot ; at other times they
are not larger than a drilling: they are frequently at-
feHed, like corns, by different dates of the atmofphere,
efpecially by rainy weather.

‘ The yaw puftules are in general Jargeft upon the
face, in the axillae, groins, perinamm, and round the
anus. The itch or cracraws, as it is called in Africa,
is fometimes miftaken tor the vaws ; but in the latter
complaint the ulcers are more elevated than thofe of
the itch : they alfo appear in the face, and are gene*
rally devoid of i'tchinefs/

It has been afferted by fome authors, that Europeans
are not liable to this complaint; but the author fays
he has known feveral inftances of it among them.
The following is given as a cafe of the fort : it oc¬
curred in the perfon of an European, a Have trader in
the Rio Nunez . ‘ In the month of July 1793, whilft

in perfeft health, he was fuddeniy feized with fevere
pains in the joints of his whole body, particularly in
thofe of his arms and knees. The pains were greatly
aggravated by external heat, efpecially at night by
the warmth of bed : they were alfo exafperated by
rubbing the affecled 'parts with oil, and other emol¬
lient applications. The only relief he could obtain
was by plunging his body into cold water, which pro¬
cured an immediate though only a temporary remiff
lion of pain ; fo that he was obliged to repeat it four
or five times during the night. At the end of a week
or ten days, the pains became lefs fevere, and recurred
lefs frequently. About this time puftules, which re¬
mained always diftin6t, broke out over his whole body;
they were not very numerous, but were' moft trouble-
fome as well as moft plentiful upon his legs. He then
applied to an old woman celebrated for her (kill in
this difeafe, and, during two months which he con¬
tinued

Winterbottom on the Africans hi Sierra Leone . 461

tinned under her care, he fwallowed a great quantity
of decoctions of herbs, without experiencing the leaft
relief. Being tired with this ill fuccefs, he began
to ufe mercury, firft in fmall dofes, as an alterative,
and afterwards on a different plan, fo as to excite a
gentle falivation. This courfe had no apparent effect
upon the difeafe ; but he felt greatly debilitated in
eonfequence of it. During the procefs, the puftules
continued to dry and fall off in one place, and to break
out in another: fix weeks or two months ufually
elapfed between the firft appearance of the puftules
and their falling off. There were no depreffions or
diicolour*tions obfervable in the ikin on any part of
the body after the defquamation of the puftules, except
upon the legs, and in them alone was any degree of
pain or trouble excited. When a fpot broke out upon
the legs, it degenerated into a troublefome ulcer,,
which could only be brought to heal by the applies'
tion of ftrong efcharotics. During all the time of his
being affedled with this diforder, disjoints felt remark-,
ably (tiff, with a fdnfation as if fome foreign body
were contained within the articulation; or, as if the
joints did not move with freedom, through a deficien¬
cy of fynovia: this was efpecially felt in the knees*
At the time he gave this account. Sept. 23, 1795, the
ftiffnefs was fo great, that, after fitting awhile, he had
fcarcely fufficient ffrength to raife him.felf.up and bend
his knees. His ikin likewife acquired a remarkable
and difagreeable increafe of fenffbility, and he itill
complains of a painful tendernefs of the integuments
over his whole body, infomuch that a gentle tap pro¬
duces as violent a fenfation as a fmart blow would
have excited formerly. This has been the cafe ever
lince he became affedfed with the difeafe. He expe¬
riences an increafed quicknefs of pulfe towards even¬
ing, and not unfrequenlly has a degree of fever and
reftleffnefs during the early part of the night. Thefe
febrile fymptoms appear to depend upon the degree
of debility induced in eonfequence of the difeafe.
yo l. x* X x His

462 Winterbottom on the Africans in Sie?Ta Leone .

His legs are much fwoln, and are greatly difcoloured?
being of a dark brown colour: this change ofcolour occur-
red during the prefent difeafe, after an attack of common
remittent fever, attended with profufe night fweats. One
evening he complained of an unufual degree of heat and
pain in his legs, which he found, on uncovering them,
to be changed, from the calf of the leg to the toes,
to nearly the colour of a black man’s fkin. He (till
has a fmall ulcer upon his leg, which he thinks is a
remnant of the yaws. During the courfe of the difeafe
he had a fevere fore throat, but this he did not at¬
tribute to the yaws, nor does he think that hoarfenefs
Is an attendant fymptom. He is of opinion that the
natives have no cure for yaws, but that it Is effected al¬
ways by nature/

The yaws has been frequently claffed with fero-
phula, fyphilis, and ele.phantiafis: but, from the- cha¬
racter here given, it appears to be fufficiently difiindt
from all of them. We think, with the author, that if
its ilages of eruption, maturation, and defquamation,
be confidered, though not ftriflly agreeing in periods
with other eruptive difeafe s i and if it he true, that it
never affedfs the fame individual twice, as is afferted,
it feems to bear no fmall analogy to the clafs of exan¬
themata. It is faid alfo to be rendered milder in its
fymptoms, and quicker in its progrefs, by means of
inoculation*. But no fuch practice exifts among the
natives around Sierra Leone. The duration of the dif¬
eafe in children is from fix to nine months ; and in
Africa it is thought not lefs peculiar to childhood than
the fmall-pox is in Europe; hut with this difference,
that they do not dread any fatal confequences from it.
In adults, the yaws is feldom cured in lefs than a year,
and it fometimes takes up two or three. It is more
favourable in women and children than in men : in
old people it fometimes proves fatal.

Mercury, if ufed early in the difeafe, is faid to be
injurious, occafioning it to affe£l the bones and joints,

9 Edwards1 s Hiilory of the Weft Indies.

often

Winterbottorrl on the Africans in Sierra Leone . 465

often for life: yet it caufes the puftules to fall off, and
clears the (kin. Towards the end of the difeafe it ap¬
pears to accelerate the cure. The following, how¬
ever, is the African mode of treating the diforden
* The natives never attempt to cure this difeafe until
it has nearly reached its height, when the fungi have
acquired their full fize, and no more puftules appear.
One of thefe remedies is the bark of a tree, called by
the Builoms yuff'o: this is boiled in water, and made
ftronger or weaker, according to the age of the patient.
Some of this deco&ion is mixed with rice; and given
for two fucceeding mornings: it is then omitted
for a week, and again exhibited two mornings toge¬
ther. It proves gently purgative. The ulcers are
like wife wafhed every fecond day with a ftrong decoc¬
tion of the fame bark; and when this is done, the
crufts are carefully removed from the furface of the
fore. An infufion of the bark of bullanta is alfo ufed
to wafh the ulcers in yaws. The juice which exudes
from the Item of nintee, when cut, is taken internally
every morning in the quantity of a glafsful; it poflef-
fes a degree of aftringency, but produces no fenfible
efrefts. A deception of the leaves of this plant is like-
\vife ufed to wadi the ulcers.

It has been already faid, that one or more of the
yaws ufuaily acquires a larger ftze than the reft, and
is called the mother yaw, to deftroy which recourfe is
had to more powerful means. Their moft frequent
application is lime juice and iron: for this purpofe an
iron bar is heated red-hot, and rubbed with a lime cut
in two, the boiling juice of which falls immediately up¬
on the fore ; this, as may be imagined, produces excef-
five pain. Sometimes the ruft of iron is boiled in lirne
juice, to which is added a quantity of the common black
ants, or a certain proportion of Malaguetta pepper;
and, as in the former inftance, the liquor is applied hot
to the fore. It a£ls as an efcharotic, and produces a
cruft upon the furface of the fore, which is removed
every fecond day. ’

X x flf ' With

464 Winterboitom on the Africans in Sierra Leone *

With refpect to female difeafes, hyfleria appears to be
unknown among the African women. Menstruation
in them does not feem to differ materially, either in
periods or in quantity, from what takes place among
Europeans. Labours are in general eafy, and trufted
chiefly to nature, though fome old woman commonly
prefides. Difficult labours, however, do fometiines oc¬
cur; and in fuch cafes the woman often dies undeliver¬
ed, the attendants being unacquainted with any arti-
tificlal means of relief. They not unfrequently fuf-
pend the woman by her heels, to alter the pofition of
the child; or they put her into a variety of poftures,
rolling her about, and rubbing the abdomen with their
hands fmeared with palm oil. Soon after a child is
born, a few grains of Malaguetta. pepper are bruifed,
and tied up in a cotton rag, which is moifiened with
water, and the juice of it prefled out into the child's
mouth: this is done to evacute the meconium. In
cafes of tinea capitis , the head is vva fired with a pretty
ftrong infufion of red pepper in water, or with the
country foap, which is very acrid.

We have now noticed nearly every thing in the vo-
lume,that appears ofany importance or originality. Two
or three appendices are, however, fubjoined; the firft
of which treats of circumcifion, with the method of
performing it in ufe on the coaft of Africa, both on
males and females. The fecond appendix contains
a more detailed account, than was before given, of the
African bark , as it is here termed, or the Betlenda *
the account is Ail! very knperfe£h It is not certain
that the tree which produces it is really a fpecies of ron~
dele tins nor has the author feen the tree itfelf. The bark
which was fent him confifted of pieces as large as the
hand, and full half an inch in thicknefs; fo that the
tree on which it grew muft have been of conliderable
flze. On the outiide it was very fcabrous and un¬
equal, full of deep fiiTures, and covered with large
patches of a grey-coloured lichen. The inner furface
t • • was

Blackburne on Scarlet Fever .

465

was of a deeper red, and fmoother than the external,
but had feme what of a granulated appearance. It
was very friable, and when broken in a longitudinal
direction, exhibited a number of pale fmall fibres, dif-
pofed in drata, and inclofed in a fubftance of a darker
red colour. Thefe fibres appeared more evidently
when the bark was broken tranfverfely, for then a num¬
ber of whitidi points were feen, which in a drong
light had a fhining or filvery appearance, being, as it
were, fet in the red coloured fubftance. When chew¬
ed, the bark felt gritty to the tongue, tinged the faliva
with a flight red colour, and imparted a confiderable
degree of adringency, not unpleafant to the tafte, but
unaccompanied with the flighted bitternefs.

This bark is nearly devoid of fmell, and pofleffea
fcarcely any aroma; it is of a very fixed nature, and
does not readily impart its virtues to water, but re¬
quires a boiling heat in order to extract them. The only
chemical reagent employed in examining it, was the ful-
phate of iron, which fhewed it to contain the gallic acid,
as the deception of the bark was by it rendered of a
deep black colour. The author himfelf, while in Af¬
rica, employed it only in the cure of diarrhoea, in
which it appeared to be ferviceable. Two or three
cafe are fubjoined, which fhew it to contain fome fe¬
brifuge virtues.

The lad appendix contains fome obfervations fug-
geded by the perufal of Mr. White's work On the Re¬
gular Gradation in Man. The object of them is to
overturn the opinions of this gentleman, and to fup-
port the natural equality of the Negro with the Euro¬
pean : but we meet with no new fa£ts or arguments
on the fubjech

Art. LXVI. Facts and Obfervations concerning the
Prevention and Cure of Scarlet Fever ; with fome
Remarks on the Origin of acute Contagions in ge-

X x 3 neraL

i .

466

Blackburns on Scarlet Fever.

neraL By William Blackbxjrne, ALT). Sva*
166 pages* Price 4s. London, 1803. Johnson,

f ■ .

THE author of the trad! before us is of opinion,
that the occurrence of fcarlet fever is increafing
in frequency among us; not as a prevailing epidemic
contagion, which reigns only during certain periods
in particular diflridts, but as an infectious difeafe, ex-
ifting in every feafon, kept alive and in conftant acti¬
vity by the thoughtlefs communications of foci a] inter-
courfe. ' He has therefore naturally thought it lacuna-
bent on him to diffeminate fo important a truth, and,
at the fame time, to communicate what information
he has acquired with regard to the means of check¬
ing the progrefs of the infection; and, indeed, to en¬
force the neceffity of attempting its total extinction;
of which, he fuppofes, as a fpecific contagion, it is
completely fufceptible. An outline of the treatment,
which he has found to be moft fuccefsful, is like-
wife fubjoined. Nof does the author content himfelf
with pointing out the poffibility and means of extin-
guifhing the contagion of fcarlet fever; fo ftrong an
analogy, he conceives, pervades the whole tribe of
contagious difeafes, in regard to their generation, and
the methods of multiplying or diminifhing them, that
the extinction of all of them feems as obvious and prac¬
ticable as that of any Angle one.

Some ftriking inftances are adduced, where the d id¬
ea fe had made its way into private families of numerous
Individuals, and into large fchools; fhewing the im¬
portance of early feparation of the infedled, and the
certainty, by this means, of checking the progrefs of
the infection. From thefe accounts, which are detail¬
ed with considerable accuracy and minutenefs, the
author is led to conclude, that fcarlet fever may be
fupprefled in its commencement by different means;
as Cold bathing, emetics, &c. ; but that the perfon
who thus efcapes the complete formation of the dif-
fafe is kill liable to be rein fe died ; a circum fiance which

O ther wife

Blackburne on Scarlet Fever. 467

ether wife does not, or at leaf! very rarely, occur. It ap¬
pears, alfo, fromfatisfactory evidence, that convalefcents
from fear let fever are capable of communicating infe£lion
ten days, or longer, after their perfect recovery. The
exa6f limits here are not afeertained, and probably
are incapable of being fo ; as the period rnufl differ in
different individuals, according to the previous violence
of the difeafe, and other circumftances. It like wife
appears clearly, from the cafes here related, that the
angina maligna ulcer oj a is the fame difeafe with fcarla-
tina; as in many of the patients, infefted from the
fame fource, there was no eruption on thefkin; in
others, there was no fore throat complained of. Mod
frequently both were conjoined in the fame fub-
je-6f. The author thinks that the interval, as far as it
could be computed, between the time of receiving
infeflion and the appearance of the fymptoms, was
from four to fix days: but the evidence on this head
is by no means conclufive, and a fimilar degree of un¬
certainty exifls with regard to other contagions.

Without deciding on the weight of the author’s ar¬
guments refpe£Ii ng the identity of fear! at in a and cy-
nanche maligna, a point about which the higheft autho¬
rities are at variance, we fhall give his remarks on the
fubjeet, that the reader may judge for hi mfelf of their
validity. After quoting the opinions of Dr. Withering
and Dr. Heherden , both of whom confidered the two
difeafes as the fame in Jpecie, the latter obferves, “ that
<s this opinion is confirmed by our finding, that they
are both epidemical at the fame time : even in the

i( fame family, where a number of children have been
' J * • •

ill either together, or immediately after one another,
<£ fome have had the diftinguiOiing fymptoms of fear-
let fever, and others of the malignant fore throat.”*
Dr. Blackburne adds, 4 thefe were precifely the circum*
fiances which occurred in Mr. W.’s family, and in the
fchool. The primary fources of contagion being iden¬
tical in each, every form of angina contagiofa, or fear-

Heberden’s Comment, p. 27*

X x 4

latino

Blackburne on Scarlet Fever .

latina was exhibited in them, fome with angina alone *
others with angina and eruption combined , others
with eruption only. The caufe of the difeafe, and the
fource of contagion, being the fame in all the inflances ot
the preceding accounts, the angina ulcerofa, as defer!-,
bed by Fothergill, Huxham, Jon niton e, Cullen, &c.*»
being moft commonly attended with cuticular fcarlet, or
eryfipelatous inflammation, fuch as appears in fcarlet
fever, the inference is plain and obvious ; rio fpeciffc
difference fubfiits between fcarlatina fimplex, lcarla-
tina anginofa, and cynanche maligna. The appear¬
ances in each only mark: gradations of one and the
fame difeafe, which gradations arife from difference
of feafon, fituation, oonftitution, and the greater or lets
virulence of the poifon itfelf. The contrary dodirine
maintained by phyficians of great eminence*)* has, in
my opinion, produced pernicious effedts in twro ways.
Iff Common cafes of fcarlatina, having been fup-
pofed to belong to a mild and fate clafs of difeafe.s,
have been treated with too little attention in ordinary
pradtice. It is true, that a very great majority of
patients recover from fcarlet fever; yet it muff be
allowed, on the other hand, that general anafarca,
tumid glands, hedlic fever, cough, and fornetimes
dyfenteric fymptoms, are the too frequent confe-
quences of the iuiperfedt cure of fcarlatina. 2dly.
It being generally prefumed, that the fame con¬
tagion does not in one inftance produce erup¬
tion, and in another ulcerated throat only, among
the members of the fame family where fcarlet fever
is prefent, the date of the throat is too often not ad¬
verted to in proper time.

5 The angina creates very flight inconvenience to the
patient at its commencement, and being unfufpecT
ed by others, great proftration of ftrenglh, and difficult

Fothergill, Sore Throat, 1754. Huxham, Ulcerous Sore Throat,
17 57. Jobnftone, Malignant Fever, 1756'. Throat Diftemper, Me¬
dical Obfervations and Inquiries, vol. I, p. 21 1.

t Cullen and Fothergill, ..

deglutition*

Blackburns on Scarlet Fever . 469

deglutition, or even inability to fwallow feem tofeize the
patient at once ; while deep extenfive ulceration in the
throat is difeovered to have made fo imperceptible and
fatal a progrefs, as imminently to end anger life, or to have
paffed beyond the reach of art. Thus many lives have
been inadvertently loft, which might have been pre-
ferved by more timely attention, or different views of
the caufe of the difeafe. This, I believe, is the true
hiftory of fuddenly fatal cafes of malignant fore throat
and fear-let fever. Even in feverer cafes of fcarlet
eruption, conjoined with angina, I have been induced
to fufpeci, from the ioniils continuing enlarged and
irritable, and a ftiort teizing cough remaining after the
other fymptoms had vanifhed, that fufficient and time¬
ly attention had not been fhown to the ftate of the
throat in the treatment, during the prevalence of the
fever. This negledf, I am perfuaded, has given oc-
cafton to frequent returns of ulcerated fore throat, to
chronic enlargement of the to nil Is, to external fwelling
and inflammation of the fubmaxiilary glands, and th@
fuppuration of the fame.

* Dr. Heberden notices the fame circumftance, with¬
out adverting to the caufe.— “ I have met with feve-
“ ral grown perfons w ho have had frequent returns
<c of a flight fore throat, which at thefe times was be-
*c fet with little ulcers, fimilar to thofe of the malignant
<c fore throat, without much fever, and without any
“ difcolouring of the fkim” Com. p. 29. “ After

the danger is paft, the glands under the ears will
fometimes fwell, with considerable pain, and even
come to fuppuration, &c.5’ The fwelling of the fub-
maxillary, parotid, and other fm-.all glands, ought to be
carefully attended to 5 and when the hardnefs and tu¬
mefaction are confiderable, the early application of
leeches to the fwelled parts, and diligent Ample fomen¬
tation, will prevent this affebtion from coming to ma¬
turity. The ton fils themfelves, particularly in ferofu-
lous habits, and in confequence of cold, fometimes in¬
flame, fwell, and come to fuppuration, after the aph¬
thous

470 Blackburne on Scarlet Fever, v

♦

thous ulcers have been removed and fubdued. In
thefe cafes, the application of leeches, with the inhal¬
ing of the vapour of hot water, prevents a great deal
of fuffering; and it being ftridtly a local affe&ion,
local applications meet the whole of the mifchief, and
the general debility, which then prevails, may be ob*
viated without interruption. The practical ufe which
flows from the conviction, that fcarlet fever and angi¬
na rcaligna own the fame origin, are twofold, and
each equally important; 1ft, that parents, teachers,,
and practitioners, being apprifed of the probable oc¬
currence of malignant fore throat, wherever ordinary
fcarlet fever prevails, their early and feafonable atten¬
tion will, in future, be more clofely drawn towards
thofe in whomnofigns of difeafe, except laffitude and
debility appear, with a languid and dull countenance:
in thefe cafes, they will be induced to watch the ftate
of the throat, even where no complaint is made by the
individuals themfelves, who, in the beginning, feel no
forenefs or pain in their throat, no difficulty in deglu¬
tition, and will fcarcely acknowledge an almoft imper¬
ceptible ftiffnefs about the neck. It is the peculiar
province and duty of the pra&itioner, to pay even a
minute attention to this tendency of the morbid in¬
fluence. The prefervation of one life in one hundred
will amply reward his labour, and compenfate his
anxious vigilance. 2dly, On the other hand, it not
unfrequently happens that the angina alone, without
the attending eruption, appears firft in a family. The
eruption being abfent in fuch inftances, no fufpicion
of the contagious quality of the difeafe arifes, and it
is thus introduced, and often fatally propagated; the
true fource, not being imagined, remaining too long
concealed and unoppofed. The opinion which I have
entertained on this fubje£l has enabled me to ftop the
progrefs of this form of fcarlatina, or angina contagiofa,
in particular families; one very ftriking inftance of
which occurred in the courfe of the laft month, and
which will be alluded to in the lequelf

Blackburne on Scarlet Fever . 471

In regard to the treatment, the author obferves,
f my general intention was to diminifh the violence of
fever by gentle evacuations, by relaxing the fldn, in¬
ducing moiffure, and after this, by an early affumption
of moderate tonics and nutritives, to prevent the ac~
cefs of great weaknefs during the a£iual prefence of
the difeafe, and by protracting the ufe of more power¬
ful tonics and a full diet over the convaiefcent date,
to guard againft the approach of the ordinary confc-
quences of fcarlatina, viz. anafarca, &c. This mode
of practice, like every other, muft be appropriated to
the peculiar habit and circumitances of the patient—
thofe of rebuff and plethoric conftitutions require a
fhorter continuance of and lefs powerful tonics than
thofe of a contrary frame ; but no conftitution ought
to be allowed to itrugle unajfijted through the difeafe
itfelf, or through the convaiefcent hate. If the mild¬
er inftances of fcarlatina demand the phyfician’s vigi¬
lant eye, to prevent future ills, where no immediate dan¬
ger threatens, the feverer inftances of this peftilence,
where affeCtion of the throat conftitutes moft urgent
degrees of hazard, require his utmoft folicitude and
jfkili« The infidious progrefs of ulceration in the or¬
gans of deglutition has been permitted too often to rob
an afflicted family of a valuable parent, or the tender
parent of a much beloved child, even where the full
manifeftation of fcarlet efflorefcence has given, though
t6o late, undoubted proof of the exiftence of the nature
of the malady. Two remarkable inftances of tins kind
occurred early in my practice in this part of the world:
two fine children, who were fuppofed to have been
poifoned, were lying in articulo mortis , in a ftate of
fuffocation, their faces extremely fwelled, and their
whole furface covered with fcarlet efflorefcence.’

As the author is of opinion that the fatal termina¬
tion in this difeafe is imputable to the mifehief pro¬
duced in the throat itfelf, or to the continuation of the
fame fpecies of inflammation along the lining of the
trachea and bronchial veffels, inducing fuffocation ;

47*2 Blackburne on Scarlet Fever .

fo he deems, that our mofi: adtive exertions fhould be
di reeled to thefe fymptoms, rather than to the general
affedtion.

The author next proceeds to inquire into the differ¬
ent ways in which the infection, not only of fcarlet
fever, but of other contagious difeafes, may be intro¬
duced into the human body: thefe maybe all reduced,
he thinks, to three; namely, fimple contact; inocula-
lation ; and inhalation. With regard to the firft, he
is led to conclude, from the teilimony of Mr. How¬
ard, who made no fcruple of going into the open air
to the windward of a perfon ill of the plague, and
feeling his pulfe ; from that of Dr. Ruffe), who per-
fonallv attended the lick in the plague, and felt
the pulfes of a great number; as well as from the teff
timony of the French phyficians who have lately treat¬
ed of the plague in Egypt -y that the introdudiion of
infedtious particles into the human body by fimple
contadt is impoffibJe. This conclufion, however, ap¬
pears to us much too general to be hazarded on fuck
limited facts ; and highly dangerous in its admiffion,
it untrue. We entirely agree with the author when he
obferves (p. 64), (though inconfiftently with the ge¬
neral opinion Hated above) that c the diftindtion be¬
tween contagion and intedlion is too nice to be duly
attended to in the ordinary intercourfe of fociety. The
idea of a difeafe not being contagious, may induce
many perfons to infringe the law of prevention, who
are unable to draw the line between contagion and
infection/ We think alfo, with himfelf, c that the
mold ufeful and beft conclufion to be drawn from an
impartial review of the fadts, is, that a degree of con-
tadl, which medical attention to, and the nurfing of
the fick, renders neceffary, is perfedtly,’ [we would
rather fay generally'] ‘ innocuous; and that the efta-
blifhment of fuch a fact, with regard to all infedtious
fevers, is of the utmoft confequence and utility, as it
would allay exceffive fears, promote confidence, and

Blackburne on Scarlet Fever .

473

give facility to the performance of the effential perfo¬
rm! duties required by the afflicted.’ There feems to
be no greater reafon for denying the poflibility of in¬
fection by fimple contaCt, than there would be for
denying infection by inoculation, from the circum-
ilance of Dr. White having two or three times per**
formed the operation on himfelf without effect. But
as we know that he at laft fucceeded in exciting the dif-
eafe, and as it is known that fmall pox may be produced,
though with lefs certainty, by (imply rubbing variolous
matter on the (kin, it feems only fair to conclude, that
infection by fimple contaCt of the poifonous matter on
the (kin is lefs ready to excite difeafe, than when ap¬
plied in the fubtle Hate of vapour, to the more irritable
iurface of the noHrils and brorichiae.

From what has been faid, it will he evident that
the opinion of the author is, that the chief or only
avenues to infection, in common, are the mouth and
noHrils ; and confequently, that to guard againft its
communication through thefe channels is the principal
or only neceffary precaution. The practicability of pre¬
vention is proved in plague, in fmall pox, and in feme
other infectious difeafes: whether it is true of all of
them, as the author feems to imagine, is as yet mat¬
ter of fpeculation only; but by no means deHitute
of probability. Still, there are obitacles to the
adoption and due performance of any fuch means;r
ariftng in petty intereff and Felfifh motives, too power¬
ful perhaps for even legiflative authority to overcome**
Thefe, however, the author thinks might with juHicer
and without any infringement of genuine liberty, be
had recourfe to. In the inffanceof quarantine, he ob«
ferves, men are obliged by law to fubmit to reftraints;
which may tranfiently injure their interefts, and inter¬
rupt, for a time, their focial enjoyments: and the more
varied and extenfive application of thefe laws is all
that is required. There can be no good reafon, he
thinks, why the kune reHriCtions may not -be en¬
forced, where the Hake is of equal magnitude, though
the danger does not appear fo immediate.

The

474

Blaekburne on Scarlet Fever *

The author is aware of an objection that rliay be
urged again!! all fchemes of this kind; viz. that every
foecies of infebtion muft have had its origin ; and that
the fame caufes which gave birth to a given contagious
clifeafe, in one or more individuals who firft experien¬
ced it, may operate again under fimilar circumftances,
and reproduce the difeafe occafionally, notwithftand-
ing the mod fuccefsful attempts to extirpate it at any par¬
ticular time. Although this muft be allowed to be true
with regard to many contagions, the advantagesof im¬
mediately recurring to means of prevention would
ftill be very great. The queftion, however, leads the
author to inquire into the origin of acute contagions
in general: a wide field for fpeculation. It will not
be denied, however, that an accurate acquaintance with
the fources of infection would efientially facilitate the
means of extinguiftring them.

Om % O # ^ 9 9 *

The author divides all infectious difeafes into two
ciaffes ; the acute and the chronic: the former only
are at prefent confidered. Under this head are in¬
cluded plague, the variolous, morbillous, fcarlet, and
yellow fevers ; the jail, hofpital, putrid, low, nervous,
malignant, or typhous fever. The firft propofition he
lays down, and which cannot be contefted, is, 5 that

* certain exhalations, or marfh miafmata as they are

* ufually termed, have the peculiar effebt of inducing
‘ fever on human bodies, expofed, in certain condi¬
tions, to their influence.’ He conceives, however,
that marfhes and fwamps are far from being the only
fources of miafmata. The moift flime and mud on the
borders of ftagnant lakes, or on the banks of great ri¬
vers and mill ponds ; the mire and mud in the unpav¬
ed ftreets, ditches, lanes, and paflages of great towns
and cities; particularly the cellars and damp abodes,
where the pooreft claftes are mo ft frequently doom¬
ed to dwell; and the moats which furround pri-
fons and garrifons ; all yield exhalations of the fame
kind, and which the author would denominate pain-
deus febrilizing gas. Wells, cellars, damp cells, and

dungeons

Blackburne on Scarlet Fever . 475

dungeons of prifons, and the holds of fhips, are calcu¬
lated to furnifh a fimilar vapour. They all produce*
he thinks, one form of difeafe, differing indeed in de¬
gree, but the fame in nature; from the fimple ague,
to the yellow fever, and even plague itfelf.

Befides the exhalation here mentioned, the author
obferves c that a peculiar febrilizing gas is alfo gene¬
rated in living animal bodies, under certain circum-
ftances ; the fimple pyrexial effefts of which are nearly
fimilar to thofe of the paludous, with the addition of
contagious properties/

His next pofition is c that the effluvia from febrile

* animal bodies, and the exhalations from marfhes,

6 are gafes of a peculiar compofition, of which hydro -

* gen, or the principle of humidity, forms an effentiai
€ conftituent part/ Admitting moifcure to form an ef¬
fentiai part of contagious or infectious effluvia, we
may eafily account, the author thinks, for the influence
of extremes both of heat and of cold in deftroying
them : thefformer, by diffipating the moifture in their
compofition ; the latter, by withholding the degree
of caloric requifite to the formation and exiftence of
vapour. There are no faffs, Dr. Blackburne thinks,
that prove accumulated human effluvia, unaccom¬
panied with Iimofe or paludous gas, to be capable of
generating lever; though he admits they may pro¬
duce great dfforder in the animal oeconomy. In
proof of this, he adduces the Unking infcance recorded
by Sir. G. Baker, in the Medical 7 Ya nf actions^ which
it may be worth while to tranfcribe. c A number of
poor children, male and female, were removed in
September, 1782, from Wimbledon to a large houfe
in King’s Street, Golden Square. They continued in
good health till the 8th of OClober. From this time
a number of girls were feized in fucceilion, at differ¬
ent intervals, with ficknefs, vomiting, fometimes purg¬
ing, excruciating pain in the region of the ftomach

and in the back, which was foon followed by violent

. s

head-ach, delirium, and convulfions; they were in ge¬
neral

476

Blackburne on Scarlet Fever,

lieral coftive. The fymptoms were relieved by put*
gatives* but returned again each time with more vio*

Jen-ce.

6 “ During the remiffion of the difeafe, they ufed to
<f lie quiet during an hour, or even two hours, then
ce fuddenly to ftart up as before, fcreaming under the
ec molt affii&ive torture, &c. They all agreed, that,
“ the fit approaching, their firft fenfation of pain was
44 in the ftomach; which having abated, the head,
“ particularly the back part of it, was attacked in like
€C manner; and it appeared, that a total perverfion of
*c the underftanding very foon followed. None of them
*( had any degree offerer , &c. It was obfervable, that
s4 their paroxyfms were always moil fevere after deep.
cc The difeafe was Blown only on certain of the girls,
#E< who dept in a particular apartment. It contained ten
144 beds, in which it was intended that eighteen girls,
two in a bed, and a female fe.rvant, fmgly, fhould
*4 deep; but being a favourite room, on account of its
sc warmth, it was generally crowded at night by a
*4 much greater number than its jud: complement.

That as much fpace as poffible might be made for
ss beds, the chimney had been flopped up with bricks ;
ss and it had been the cuftom of the fervant at night
to keep the door (hut, and to clofe the window fhut-
c£ ters, that as little fredi air as poffible might have
accefs.— From the time of the commencement of
the illnefs, three candles and a lamp of oil had been
** ufed during the night ; but they were hardly of any
fervice, giving a glimmering light, and frequently
^ almoft extinguifhed.”

4 From the following ftatement it evidently appears,
that the origin and caufe of this difeafe confided in
an accumulation of human effluvia, uncombined with
any other morbific gas, particularly pyrexial. For,
Sir George proceeds :

4 44 It was likewife remarkable, that in a chamber
“ adjoining, of the fame di men (ions, painted at the
** fame time, in which eighteen girls dept in nine

“ beds.

Blackburne on Scarlet Fever . 47?

** beds (which chamber differed from the other
only in having an open chimney, and not b.e-
“ ing fo clofely v fhut up during the night), none
ss of the children had a fymptom of the difeafe.

Another finking fact was, that a female fervant, who
44 had pa fled one night only in attendance on the chi!-*
ct dren in the chamber of the fid-k, was on the follow*
54 ing morning attacked by the fame- pain, delirium,
convulfions, &x.” ’ Medical Tranfa6t. vol. iii. p. 1 IS.
The third petition endeavoured to be maintained
is as follows: ‘ The greateft number, if not all acute
€ contagions, originate, in the firft inft-ance, from the
f exhalations or gafes above fpecified: but they affume
4 the property of propagating difeafes fimilar to them*

‘ felves, only under peculiar circumfiances, which oc~

4 cafion their converlion from fimple into contagious
4 fever. The caufe of this converlion is the expo fare to
* accumulated fehrilized animal effiuviad The con-
verfion of fimple into contagious fever appears to be
welleftabiifhed, by the obfervations of Drs. Lind, Clark,,
and others: and it appears particularly to be true
with regard to the plague, which originates as an epi¬
demic, but is afterwards propagated by contagion.
If this be admitted, it will ferve to reconcile the con¬
tradictory fentiments of different authors on this point.
Dr. Bf s own opinions on the fubjeft are thus dilfinftly
Hated.

4 It is an undoubted faft/he obferves, c that paludal
or limofe gas induces' fever. A number of perfons,
whether in a private dwelling, a prifon, a fihip, or a
camp in a rinarfhy difiridl, being expofed to the opera¬
tion of this gas, all become affedled with fimple or idio¬
pathic fever, which happening to more than one, for
this reafon is fiyled epidemic. One of thefe febrile
patients is removed into an airy dry fituation, where
clean linefs and ventilation are ftriPrly attended tot
neither the ciofeft approach to this patient nor the
reception of his breath is infectious ; nor are his clothes
imbued with miafrns of this charafler. ' But remove
vol. Yy either

478 Blackburne on Scarlet Fever.

either one or more of the family, crew, or prifoner^
who have become feverifh from the lame caufe, into
a clofe, unventilated apartment, or crowded hofpital,
or fuffer them to remain in their original fite, where
the fever commenced, without the advantages of
cleanlinefs and ventilation, &c. ; then their fever will
aflame the contagious charadler ; their clothes, bed¬
ding, &c. deriving the fame properties from the fame
caufe. The pyrexial gas formed in thefe circum-
fiances becomes animalijed , or capable of propagating
its like> and then only, for the firft time, becomes infec¬
tious. It has been proved that the accumulation of
human effluvia, where fever is not prefent, induces
convulfion, and not fever. We may venture to con¬
clude, that human effluvia muff be febrilized previous
to their becoming infe&ious, confequently no infeXi-
ous fever can arife but through the medium of a fe~
brile body. In the pradiice of prevention, the diftinc-
tion here defignated will fhow how fevers may be
prevented from becoming infeXious; and by attend¬
ing to the peculiar circumftances which occafion Am¬
ple, and thofe which excite contagious fever, in fpe-
cific inftances, a certain criterion may be immediately
formed, indicating when one and when the other is
prefent, and meafures may be taken more readily cor-
refponding with the nature of each, than wrhen the
origin and names of the two fevers are confounded and
blended together.

* The character of the fever, which animal contagi¬
ons and paludal gafes induce on a human body, un-
affeXed with inflammation, congeftion, or any local
difeafe, is that of typhus. This character retain^ its
influence, uniformity, and identity over the whole
clafs of acute contagions ; probably from the feat of
its imprefflon being chiefly the brain and nerves. But
the peculiar fymptoms, which entitle them to the ap¬
pellation fpeclfic , commonly arife from accidental
inflammation, or other afleXions, local or general ;

then

Blackburne on Scarlet Fever , 479

then their character becomes compound, and their
moil appropriate title is that of fynochUs /

* Both paludal and human effluvia produce fever
of the fame (lamp and character in proportion to their
degrees of concentration or dilution ; they are both
fubjeCt to dedru&ion from limilar caufes, and the only
difHndion between them feems to confid in the power
which contagious or human effluvia have to tranfmit
to other perfons peculiar dates of the body, in con¬
junction with febrile actions ; which curious and myf-
terious circumdance ftrongly induces us to conclude,
that their parent dock and general influence is alike
in all ; but the fpecific appearances, or various forms
of all infections, may have been originally adventitious
or accidental.’

The caufes which determine one contagion to af-
fume a puflulary form, as fmall-pox ; another, an ery»
fipelatous, &e. as fcarlet fever ; are fuppofed by the
author to be purely accidental, and altogether foreign
to the fever, which, he thinks, retains its identical
character. This he endeavours to illuflrate by the
following paffage from Denoji’s Travels in Egypt,
which points out, he imagines, a plaufible origin of
the fmall-pox, though not mentioned by M. Denon
himfelf with a view to any fuch application. ‘ “ The
heat,” ’ M. D. obferves, c c‘ had become infupport-
able, the wed wind oppreded us, caufed bleedings
<c of the nofe, and painful eruptions, which covered,
6f alternately, all parts of the body, dried and hardened
“ the (kin, and impeded perfpiration. The rays of the
<c fun, the principal, perhaps the foie, caufe of thefe
<c evils, raifed on every pore a pudule, fimilar to the
fmall-pox, which became intolerable, when, in ]y-
ing down, it was necedary to red on thefe points.’”
Denon, vol. II, p. 179. Aikin’s tranflatiou.

4 We have here, in my opinion, the origin, outline,
and external form of fmall-pox, exactly depi&ed, be¬
fore its converfi on into a contagious ped.

‘ M. Denon and his fellow travellers differed much

Y y 2 pain.

48a

Blacltburne on Scarlet Fever,

pain, and were greatly annoyed, but they were not ex-
pofed, at that period, to the remote caufes of fever.
Had they been the firlb who experienced this puftular
affedtion above defcribed, unattended with fever, they
could not have communicated it to others. In all in-
ftances of primary, original contagion, and every con¬
tagion muft have had an origin, in one or more indi¬
viduals, it. fee ms efien-tial that certain adlions fhould
take place in the animal body, by which the poifon
mull be generated which is about to be infectious,
and which, being received into another animal body,
communicates the fame form externally, and excites
adtions internally, fimilar to the primary one in the
original fubjedt; thefe adtions are indifpenfahle to the
formation of the contagious principle, and whenever
they are perceptible, affumc the febrile charadlerd
6 A perfon under this puftular aftedtion, being ex-
pofed to the caufes which produce infectious fever in
him, would become capable of communicating a dif-
eafe named fmall-pox to a fecond perfon receiving the
effluvia of his body ; and a third perfon being inoculat¬
ed with matter taken from his puftules, in a due ftate
of maturity, would alfo be infedted with the fame dif-
eafe. We fee clearly that the local aftedtion or ex¬
ternal form of a new difeafe maybe eafily acquired on
expofure to new and peculiar external impreffions ; but
it is extremely wonderful, that a new difeafe fhould,
in the fecond inftance ot. its exiftence, as well as in
every future example, retain the precife form in which
it originally appeared on the perfon fir ft afredled by it;
fuch however is the fact. The fmall-pox has retain¬
ed its original form, in paffing through millions of vic¬
tims, and under all the varieties of climate where it'
has appeared. If this origin of the fill all- pox be en¬
titled to any degree of credibility or likelihood, its puf-
tixlafy form is proved to be adventitious, while the at¬
tendant febrile actions will be found on comparifon to
bear the typhus ftamp and cliaradief of other acute con¬
tagions,.

Blackburne on Scarlet Fever .

481

tagions, and mod: probably mavocdarn a remote caufe,
fi mi Jar or identical with theirs.*

‘ ‘P-ur Cuing the rame track of invedigation, we (hall
probably di (cover why the plague affurnes a bub on ary
form. The exceffive heat of the climate in Egypt, and
its propinquity, in many parts* to Candy defarts, and the
expofure of its inhabitants, and ftrangers or travellers,
to the hot parching winds which blow over them atcer-
tain feafons or the year, induce a peculiarly dry, irrit¬
able date of (kin, and impeded perfpi ration. When
perfpiration is impeded, increafed abforption takes
place, and the lymphatic glands become dtdended and
irritable. The cutis, deprived of its moidure, be¬
comes parched, and fufceptible of that inflammation
which may be dyled carbuncular, fpeedily terminating
in - mortification. f The intimate connection between
ike Jkin 'and Lymphatic glands is well known, by vari¬
ous morbid affections , to exift in every climate „ An
Egyptian, or any individual, being expo fed to paludal
gas, and attacked with fever, in this irritable date of
Jkin. and lymphatic. glands, or when both are aid u ally
difeafed, will be (aid to fuffer the plague in his own
perfon, and if fubjeifed to the circurndances which ge¬
nerally render fevers contagious, will communicate a
dileafe of a fpecidc form to a fecond individual receiv¬
ing his effluvia. ? i >

The fame mode of reafoning is afterwards applied
to the other fpecific fevers, in order to1 account for
their peculiar external characters. Thus, with regard
to m cades, the author fuppofes, that the eruption may

4 * Sir John Pringle, p. 1 93.*

* + The ftate of ikin' here alluded to, previous, to febrile attacks, is not
an imaginary date. I cite the following; from' Dr. Wittman, one of the
lateft Scientific travellers through Egypt : “ The great heats which

44 prevailed at this time were productive of prickly heat,’ painful
" pu (hilar eruptions of the fkin, boils, and other fimilar complaints*
The bites of the gnats, mofquitoes and other infers, became .in flam-
4 ed, and produced very troublefome fuppurations/’ Dr. Wittman,
p. 32<h Dr. W. repeatedly mentions the Kampiin wind, during the
march of the - Turkiih army from Joppa to Cairo, as a very prevailing
.caufe of difeafed ikin, debility, & c/ '< ■

Y y 3 have

*y -

482 Blackburne on Scarlet Fever .

have been firft determined by feme fuch circumftance
as the following, as Hated by AJfalini .* “ The French

army, on its arrival at Alexandria, was received on
“ a parched and burning foil : the thermometer at
sc noon, 26° of Reaumur, the nights feverely cold ; but
the immenfe number of mofchitoes difturbed its re-
pofe by punctures, which inflamed the fkin like the
“ eruption of meafles.” An individual, therefore,
labouring under catarrhal affeftion, and accidentally
covered with fuch an eruption as above defended,
would originate that peculiar contagion called meaf¬
les, which would be afterwards propagated in that in-
dividual lhape.

This leads the author to his concluding propofition^
which is thus ftated : c The foie fources whence typhus
fever are adlually derived being made thus evident,
and the caufes which render it contagious being clear¬
ly developed, and fhewn to admit of prevention ; it
follows, that the univerfal fuppreflion of every febrile
contagion is completely within the power of civilized
nations.’

The general means of effecting fo defirable a pur-
pofe are here pointed out. ‘ The feafons,’ the author
obferv.es, € when peftilential difeafes moft commonly
infeft particular diftri&s, which often vifit the fame
annually, being already known, or capable of being
accurately obferved, fhould be carefully regiftered
among every cultivated people, their approach guard¬
ed againft as far as human means and forefight can
avail, and meafures of precaution recommended or
enforced by the legiflature, and executed by commit¬
tees or boards of health in all civilized nations. Thofe
meafures, which render feafons lefs injurious or totally
innocuous, are fuch as regard the nature and qualities
of the foil where habitations are placed, much more
than the temperature of the atmofphere, and are confe-
fjuently more within the compafs of manual exertions, -

f Qbf. fur la Pefte, p, xxii.

5 Thefe

Blackburne on, Scarlet Fever.

4$ 3

4 Thefe primary modes of prevention confiil in clear¬
ing away or ventilating jungles, woods, and foreffs,
and cultivating the grounds which they covered. In
draining extenfive, outlying fwamps, morafles, and
marfhes, and thofe w'hich lie in the vicinity, and taint
the atmofphere of cities, towns, or villages. The ven¬
tilation of prifons, hofpitals, (hips, and manufac¬
tories, is much more pradlifed than formerly: but a
more ftridt attention to paving the ftreets of many prin¬
cipal populous towns and great cities, covering the
drains, fhores, wells and ditches of the fame, as alfo
thofe of prifons, hofpitals, manufactories, barracks*
and garrifons, is {till greatly wanted.

€ The habitations of the poor and needy ought to be
more ftrictly attended to, not only with regard to
cleanlinefs and ventilation, but alfo refpedting the fitua -
lions where they are built, and the manner in which
they are conflrudted. No human being ought to in¬
habit cellars or chambers under ground ; it belongs to
the humanity of landlords to regulate this matter, or
it ought to become an objeCt of police where life and
health are fo certainly endangered.

f The laws oblige the builders of all houfes, eredted
within a certain period, to raife a party wall, as a fafe-
guard againft the communication of fire from one dwel¬
ling to another. An excellent plan has been contrived
by Sir G. Paul, and executed in the conftrudtion of
the Gloucelter jail and Infirmary, which includes three
very great advantages ; an improved mode of ventila¬
tion ; a proper degree of temperature ; and a complete
exemption from humidity, or moift unwholefome ex¬
halations. As contagious difeafes are more deftruc-
tive of life in the prefent (fate of this country than ac¬
cidental conflagration, ought not the plan alluded to,
or one fimilar to it, be legally enjoined in the conftruc-
tion of the contradfed dwellings and tenements of the
humbler clafs of artifans and labourers in the neigh¬
bourhood of manufadiories, or in the narrow confined
ftreets, lanes, and alleys of populous towns?

Y y 4 6 la

484 SvvediaurV Pharmacop. Med . Pract .

1 In the accounts of the origin of contagious fever
in Manchefter, Liverpool, Newcaflle, &c., we find
that the unhappy families who fuller from this cala¬
mity are very commonly taken out of cellars, damp
ground floors, and unpaved courts or paffag.es, where
humidity, mire, and filth abound.

‘ The diligent and frequent removal of mud, flime,
and mire, is likewdfe a very effential mode of preven¬
tion, which has hardly attracted the notice of thofe,
who have humanely endeavoured to correct fimilar
nuifancesd

In our account of the work before us, we have car¬
ried our extracts and occafional remarks to a confider-
able length ; deeming the fubjedt, independently of all
theory, to be one of vaft importance to humanity.
There will perhaps be fome difficulty in reconciling
the multifarious phenomena of contagious maladies
with the Ample but ingenious principles here contend¬
ed for : but, whether thefe be well or ill founded, there
cap be no room to queftion the propriety of the prac*
tical deductions which the author has made from them,
and which'claim the moft ferious attention of magis¬
trates, as well as profeffional men.

Art. LX VII, Pharmacopoeia Medici Practici UnP
verfalis : fijiens Medicamenta Praparafa et Compo -
cum eorum ufu et Dojibus. Auctore F. Swe-
■ diauRj M.D . 2 vols. 8vo, 501 paces. Parifii,

apud Fuchs; Londini, apud Callow, &c. 1803,

IN the work before us, the new chemical nomencla¬
ture is adopted for the chemical preparations, and
the Linneean names for the vegetables. Among other
remarks on the names in the Preface, the author re¬
commends calling the gum ammoniac by the tenp
gummi refina mini on. till the plant which affords it
fhall be known. It feems that the name of opium is

■SwediaurV Pharma cop. Med. Pract. 485

& much dreaded in the provinces of France, as to in¬
duce the author to call the tindlure of opium by the
title of tincturd fedaiiva. Dr. Sxtediciur profefles to
make known in France many preferiptions of the Eng-
jifh phyficians and of the Englifh hofpitals, befides
thofe furnilhed by his grand fources, the London ,
Sxvodijh, Danijhy Edinburgh , and Berlin Pharmaco¬
poeias.

In the chapter on Acids, no fewer titan four pre¬
feriptions are given for the acidinn aceticum , viz. com¬
mon diflilled vinegar, diluted vinegar, acid prepared
by deeompofing acetite of foda with fulphuric acid*
and that by djflijling common vinegar fix parts, with
one of oxide of manga nefe : this laft preparation, it is
added, is not oxigenated, as is fuppofed, but merely*
concentrated ; as Darracq has lately fhewn.

Acidvm phofpho'ricum , according to Brugnatelli
prefeription, is obtained of the fpecific gravity 2,687^
in transparent cryftals, by adding eight pounds of ni¬
tric acid to a mixture of one pound of phofphorus
and four pounds of rectified fpirit of wine or alcohpl.
The phofphorus is here fufpended by its fpecific gra¬
vity among the acid, and the alcohol is gradually*
changed into phofphoric acid, whilfl the phofphoric
'aetlier produced hies off. When the ebullition is over*
the reiiduary nitrous acid is carried off by evaporation,,
and the phofphoric acid remains behind in tranfparent
cry flats.

The Britifli practitioner will afk, What are the vir¬
tues of this article ? The author’s anfwer is, — Ufus :
Anaphrcdifia? externus: Arthrodynia podagrica, alii ve
inorbi odium ? item ad parandum phofphatem fodax

Acidum oxalicum is dire died to be prepared by fa tit¬
rating the acetofellous acid, or acidulous oxalate of
potafs, with ammonia; then adding liquid nitrate of
baryt to precipitate the oxalate of baryt: this precipi¬
tate, being wafhed, is to be decompounded by di¬
luted fulphuric acid which precipitates the baryt, and
oxalate of baryt is to be gradually added to precipitate

any

486

SwediaurV Pharma cop. Med. Pract .

any remaining fulphtiric acid. Finally, the liquor,
decanted and evaporated, gives cryftallized oxalic

acid.

The ufus afTerted by the author, are, to detect cab
careous earth in water, and for making lemonade
when lemon-juice cannot be had.

Acidnm tartarofnm is dire6ted to be prepared ac¬
cording to Scheele s procefs, but purified by carbon.

Murias hyper oxygen at us potaj/ie is among the neu¬
tral falts, but we are not told what are its virtues.

Phofphas fodce is directed as in the Edinburgh Dif-
penfatory.

Why is the carbonas potqfcc omitted i

Sulfis as well as fulfas fodce is inferted.

Tartris fodce is made to denote the Rochelle fait,
which confifts of the acid of tartar and potafs as well
as foda : hence the term is not a fit one. This is one
of various deficiencies and errors to be met with in
this otherwife valuable work. The term fhould have
been tartris potajfce cum foda , or foda-tartris potaffce.

Baryta is prepared either by calcining carbonate of
baryt, or nitrate of baryt. There are not fewer than
five preparations of baryt here given ; but we believe
few phyficians, at prefent, allow any great efficacy to
this fubflance.

Twelve metals are fet down, but of one of them,
mirum , the author has forgotten to give any prefcrip*
tion : and of manganefe , all that is faid is, Ufas in *
ternas tentari meretur.

Arfenic is recommended for cutaneous affeftions^
for dropfies, for palfy, for cancers both externally and
internally, and for phagedenic ulcers.

Of hy dr ar gyrus , twenty prefcriptions are fet down.
New ones, or thofe feldom ufed, are the murias
hydrargyri ferratus ; murias hydrargyri oxygenatus $
pracipitatione et fublimatione paratus; phofphas hy¬
drargyri ; tartris hydrargyri 5 acetas hydrargyri ;
oxydurn hydrargyri nigrum .

Among

SwediaurV Pharmacop. Med. PracL 48?

Among other proofs of Dr. $ not being quite ao
curate, may be mentioned his diftinguifhing calomel
and corrofive fubiimate by the terms murias hydrar-
gyri and murias hydrargyri oxygenafus ; whereas the
diftinflion Oiould be not only according to the oxygen
they contain, but alfo according to the proportion of
acid: hence the former Oiould be called fubmnrias hy¬
drargyri, and the latter murias hydrargyri oxygenatm.

Why not call the Jt annum (miner alum. as dated in
the fynonyms jt annum Jithoxy datum ? for it is but a
partial oxide.

Kermes mineral is very properly denoted oxiduni
jiibii hydrofulphuralum ; and the fulplmr antinionii a li¬
ra turn is called oxydum Jiibii hydrojulphuratiim. Jameses
powder is called phofphas calcis Jlibiatus . The tartar
emetic is named tar iris pot affix Jlibiatus .

Among the Sulphiereta , we read hydrofulphurctum
ammoniacce , or volatile liver of fulphur, prepared by
adding, from time to time, to common iron pyrites,
or artificial pyrites, or fulphuret of potafs, in a tubu¬
lated retort, muriatic acid, with a receiver (immerfed
in cold water) containing one-third full of liquid am-
moniaca: thus making the gas pafs into the receiver
till the alkali is faturated.

The ufes of this prescription, we are told, are, to
remove irritability arifmg from the long ufe of mer¬
cury, or other caufes ; lor ph thills ; for diabetes; &c.

Carbo is among the inflammables, and diredfed to
be frefh burnt, and kept in dole veffels ; for internal
and external ufe, as well as for preferring water, and
for purifying it.

Phojphorus : of its ufe is faid, Ufus interims an ceps.
Four grains are directed to be dilfolved in oil of al¬
monds, or in half an ounce of fulphuric aether, and
twenty drops to be given for a dole.

Ace turn camphor attirn is a moll ufeful prefeription
for external purpofes ; and fo is ce ther camphor alus.

Oleum volatile vini is. made by diddling equal
weights of fulphuric acid and alcohol : then feparate

the

488

SwediautT Pharmacop. Med . Pract .

the oily di fill led part from the watery part, containing
•fulphqrous acid, which mu ft be neutralized- by petals ;
and diftil off the aether. The oil remaining in the r-e«
tort fwimming on the water muft be leparated for ufe.

Sperma ceii is called adipo-cera phyfeterum . It is.
however, taken from a peculiar cavity of the brain of
feveral kinds of the whale, at firft in the ftate of an oil,
•which concretes and cryftallizes by expofure to the air.

Among the /Ethers , is the ccther aceticus, made by
adding to eight ounces of acetate of foda or potafs,
quite dry, in a retort, of fulphuric acid three ounces,
and of alcohol fix ounces.. Then to the diftilled liquor
add one ounce of liquid potafs, and decant the aether.
Of this, various preparations are made.

rEther muriaticus is directed, to be made by mixing
together ten ounces of oxymuriate of potafs and five
ounces of alcohol, adding five, ounces of fulphuric
acid ; which, after a night’s digeftion, will afford the
sether floating on the top of the mixture. This aether
may be prepared by butter of antimony one part, and
two parts of alcohol, with one., part of carbonate of
lime ; to be diltilled after, eight days’ digeftion.

A divifion of the w-ork is appropriated to the Gates,
Gaza ; viz. oxygen, azotic, hydrogen, &c.

Among the Aquas is the aqua b ary tee , for examin¬
ing waters of fprings, &c. ■ i >

Aqua marina arte facta is compofed of -fifty, pounds
of water, ten ounces of common fait* ten drachms of
muriate of magnefia, two ounces, of muriate qfjime,
fix drachms of fulphate of foda, and as much of ful-
phate of magnefia. , .

Among the Extract a is the ex tr actum bills, pre¬
pared by infpifiating ox’s gall. . ..

Of the Syrups, one appears to be a very elegant
preparation, th z Jyrup of aimo:nds\

Th e E'mu If on s comprehend the einulfip camphor at a %
an excellent form of .prefeription*

489

SwediatirV Pharmacdp. Meet Tract .

■ •a

Tbs emulfio communis is prepared with garden cu¬
cumber feeds and melon feeds, of each one ounce
and a half, triturated with a pint of water.

Among the Enemdta is the enema, acetatum , con-
lifting of lix ounces of the common enema and two
ounces of vinegar. In the exhibition of it, dire&ions
are given to place the patient on the left tide, and to
enjoin hi in to retain it if poflible.

Gut tee lauro-cerafi have hardly been adminiltered in
medicine in this country. It is nothing more than
the aqua lauro-cerafi : dofe thirty drops twice or thrice
a dav.

Tinctura eetherea camphor at a confifts of three
ounces of fulphuric aether alcoholized, and two
drachms of camphor.

As fo much has been faid of the effedls of gelatine
in the cure of/ intermittent fevers, we ihall transcribe
the whole prescription, to which this author gives full
credit, howrever it may be thought of in this country.

Xrelatina ad Diaieipyras.

R. Glutinis animalis indurati vulgo venaiis, Li-
bram unam.

■'J ■ ' ■ 5 =

Aquse libras fex. Coque ut fiat folutio, cui add,
jice, • y

Albuminis ovi quantum fatis. -'Dein rnailk probe
defpumatee et clariftcatae adde,

Sacehari albi libram unam. o Coque leni igne ad li¬
bras tres, Gelatinam fie paratam effunde ut con-
ere feat. * • ■

fT/z^.—Dialeipyrae' variae. ^ Hoc remedium fnnplex
et mite ad diaieipyras varias radicaliter curandas effb
caciffimum nuperrime invenit Arm and Stguin . Doiis
infantibus, drachmae duae — .quatuor: medice wtatis
et delicatulis drachmae quatuor— duodecim ; adultis
drachmae duodecim — quadraginta. Pritna; dofis ex~
hibenda eft mox incipiente paroxyfmo, prsemiffis^ fi
opus, praemittendis ; et tempore apyrexiae ter die,
contmuendo per aliquot dies poftquam febris ceilavit.
Plerumque intra paucos. dies febris radical; ter tplliturc

The

490

Milne V Account of Difeafes , $Cc«

The author fubjoins a chapter of his new nartles
of difeafes. Among thefe are, Uriafis , for difeafes
occafioned by calculi in the urinary paffages: Ere -
tin firms , for morbid irritability : Myojilis ? for acute
rheumatifm : Dlaleipyra , for intermittent fever* Ataxia?
for morbid fenfibility of the nervous fyftem.

Upon the whole, undoubtedly, this pharmaceutical
work contains much information ; but it betrays alfo
great credulity in the author, to adopt and recom¬
mend, on fuch equivocal and flight evidence, fo many
new articles. Many of thefe have, indeed, no autho¬
rity to render them worthy of a trial. But it fee ms to
have been the plan of the author to collect every thing
new? and to add to the mafs ; but, we fear, without
adding to efficacy in praftice. However, it is but
juft to declare, that a great many valuable preferip-
tions, not to be found in any other pharmacopoeia of
this country, are here inferted ; and it (hews the de¬
ficiency and the backward ftate in particular of the
London Pharmacopoeia.

Art. LXVIII. Some Account of the Difeafes that
prevailed in two Voyages to the Eaft Indies , in the
Carnatic Eaft Indiaman , during the Years 1793,
4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 ; together with Obfervations and
Medical Remarks , in a Series of Letters to John
Hunter, M.D. F.R.S. By John Milne, for¬
merly Surgeon of the Carnatic , now Surgeon on the
Bombay Eftablijhment . 8vo, 168 pages, price 4s,
London, 1803. Phillips.

rip HE Letters here given to the public will be found
Jp to contain no inconliderable portion ot informa¬
tion, ufeful to the general medical pradlitioner, but in
a particular manner ufeful to gentlemen engaged in
the department fo ably tilled by the author; that is,
to the furgeons and furgeons’ mates of the ihips be-

Jon gin £

o o

MilneT Account of Difeafes, &c. 49 1.

longing to the Eaft India Company. The abilities
and zeal which mark his conduct upon every occa-
lion that affedted the health of thofe committed to his
care, cannot fail to furniffi mo ft valuable inftruction,
and fet an example that well deferves to be followed.
From the ftatement here given, there is reafon to be¬
lieve that this particular branch of public fervice is by
no means executed in a way that the importance of
the thing requires. The author is not fparing of his
criticifms, and has expofed the errors which he has
obferved with great freedom, though without perfon-
ality. At the fame time, he has with due candour,
and with as little referve, animadverted upon the
miflakes committed by himfelf ; and he has, moreover,
pointed out the means which he deems belt calculated
to remove the abufes in queltion.

The work confilts of four Letters , addreffed to the
editor, Dr. Hunter ; containing, in fo me what of the
form of a journal, the principal circumflances con-
nedted with health, that occurred during the courfe
of two voyages to India and back again, interfperfed
with appropriate obfervations. It will be difficult,
therefore, to give an abridged account of a work fo
drawn up ; but it is the lefs neceffary to attempt this,
as the concluding Letter contains a recapitulation of
the leading points, as far as medical pradtice is con¬
cerned.

The difeafe which prevailed moil: frequently and fa¬
tally was dyfentery, which often appeared to be ex¬
cited by the improper life of animal food during the
exceffive heats of noon ; a time at which, in hot cli¬
mates, the whole fyflem is in a Hate of languor, and
the organs of digeition unable to perform their func¬
tions. The fame food taken at Tapper, in cafes where
a full meal had been made at noon, was hill more in¬
jurious, and feldom failed to produce a difordered
Hate of bowels. In this way, cholera was very fre¬
quently induced; the patient, going to deep with his
ftomach thus loaded, was fcon awakened with great

hcknedj

492

MilneV Account of Dif cafes, St.

licknefs at flomach ; be vomited ; the vomiting conti¬
nued, and was foon followed by gripes, and frequent
loofe flools: fpadfns of the mufcles of the abdomen en-
fued, accompanied with the fame afteclson of the ex¬
tremities ; foon forming a complete cafe of cholera
morbus. It was found of the higheft importance, that
men in this cafe, as well as after other difeafes, fhould
not return to their labour till their flrength was pretty
well recruited ; otherwife, relapfes generally took
place, and the difeafes became more unmanageable
and dangerous than at fir ft.

The author acknowledges, that, at the commence¬
ment of his career, he had no fettled principles refpe£t>
ing the nature of dyfentery, nor any confident plan of
treatment. His ideas had been brought from the
fchools, and acquired by occafional reading ; whence
he had imbibed fentiments often contradictory to
each other. It is not to be wondered at, therefore,
that his practice was feeble and unfuccefsful. The'
folio wine cafe is dated as the one which find directed
his at ten lion to a more falutary mode of cure. cc This
man, the gunner, had a particular averfion to fairs,
and it was with difficulty that I could get him to take
any of the common purgatives, fiach as rhubarb or ja¬
lap with cream of tartar, from their occafroning very
eonfiderable gripes and licknefs at flomach, and being ,
often uncertain in their operation; I therefore gave
him calomel alone as a purgative, in the form of pills,
which in three or four days affected his mouth, and
induced a little {pitting. From that time the gripes,
and tenefmus gradually abated, his flools became fe¬
culent and free, this rendering aim oil any other me¬
dicine unneceffary, and he fpeedily recovered. This
was the firll infiance in which the ededts of mercury
llruck me in a remarkable degree. Still, however, I
did not employ this medicine fo liberally as 1 ought '
to have done, and was authorifed to do, from the fuc-
cefs attending its ufe in this cafe; for, foon after this
event, the fhip's cook had an attack of a bowel com¬
plaint.

Milne V Account of Difeafes^ <3ur. 493

plaint, which was treated with occafional purgatives,
and an opiate with calomel at bed-time. Under this
management, the furgeon of the Walpole, one of the
fhips in company, happening one day to come on
board the Carnatic on a vilit, I requeued him to fee
this man : he defired me to give him the bark in fub-
flance* with frnail dofes of laudanum. I had already
feen the effects of that medicine, when prefcribed by
the late furgeon of the Carnatic. It was, however*
tried ; but i was foon convinced, by an aggravation
ot the iymptoms, that i had adopted a wrong m ea¬
rn re. I have mentioned thefe particulars in order to
point out the great lamenefs, uncertainty, and inde-
cifion, in the pradxice of the medical men employed
in the honourable Company’s fervice, to take care of
the health of Britiih feamen, fo necefifary for the fup-
portofour country.

His ideas of the benefit derivable from mercury in
the cure of dyfentery wrere farther ftrengthened by
the following. Our (hip’s cook, whofe cafe I men¬
tioned before, was, when we arrived at St. Fielena,
in fo reduced a date, that 1 had almoft, nay complete¬
ly, defpaired of his life, as he was an old man, and
had been fo long affefted with this diforder of his
bowels. He had been, for fome days previous to our
reaching this iiland, deprived of the quantity of wine
which was daily allowed him by the captain, on ac¬
count of the diminution of our ftock ; but I was now
fupplied with what quantity I might find neceffary for
him ; and it was only at this critical moment that I
reflected correctly upon the nature of this man’s com¬
plaints :• — his appetite Jiad bcM good, and his (tools,
though frequent, had been feculent and free; yet he
gradually waited, and loft (Irerigth. I now reafoned
thus : There is no defe£t in the organs of digedion, no
impediment to the paffage of the faeces through the
inteftinal canal ; but there is an obftmdtion to the
chyle’s being carried in fufficieilt quantity into the
fyftem, the effeQ of the former difeafe, and proved
vol. x.. Z z by

49 4 Milne V Account of Difeafes, Kt.

* . » 1 ■ : ~A

by his lofing fiefli and ftrength, and from the calomel
having never afFedted the mouth in this cafe : there¬
fore mercurial fridtion is alone to be depended upon*
It was therefore begun ; his ftrength was fupported
by wine, and nourifhing clyfters were exhibited, as he
had now, from his reduced fate and confinement to
bed, loft his appetite. In three days a flight tender-
nefs was felt in the mouth ; he had recovered a little,
and began to entertain ftrong hopes : in fix more he
walked afhore, from not being able at the time of our
arrival, without affiftance, to get up to ftool, or hard¬
ly even to turn himfelf in bed ; and in little more
than a month after he began this courfe, he was per-
fedtly free from a diforder with which he had been af-
fedted for upwards of a year. I muft not forget to
mention, in relating this remarkable cafe, that this
old man was extremely fond of money, and as little
inclined to take his departure from the enjoyment of it :
he had, therefore, got a fmall inveftment on board,
which he wiflied to difpofe of at St. Helena, and
would truft no one to make a bargain for him : to
bring this to a good market was the great exciting
eaufe that enabled him to go afhore, which he did, to
the aftoniftiment of every one on board ; nor was he
hurt by this exertion* He had a great liking for
cheefe, and for fome time lived almoft entirely upon
it; declaring that he found it of great benefit to him,
and the only folid food that agreed with him. He was-
a Welchman by birth.

cc Even now, however, I did not employ mercury
in the liberal way that this and my former fuccefs de¬
manded ; for I foon after this loft a poor invalid by dy~
fentery, who had never thoroughly recovered from the
time of our leaving Madras : fo that it is not the know¬
ledge of a remedy being fuccefsful in the removal of a
difeafe, but the employment, and the employment
of it in a proper wav, and todheneceffary extent, which
is to perform the cure, and make
judicious positioner,”

he character of the

Th<

Milne ys Account of Difeofes^ Sc. 495

The wavering opinions .of the author were' now de-
cifively fettled, by the concurring teflimony of ano¬
ther pradlitioner of difcernment and experience in the
fame line of duty. “ Before i was acquainted,” he
ohferves, with Mr. Liddel (fori fhall take the liberty
of inferting his name), I had employed mercury in the
treatment of our prevailing difeafes : but l now found
that I had not carried it to the neceffary extent ; nor
had I any idea of what way 1 was to proceed* if the
difeafe continued after the mouth became a he died.
This was now rendered perfedlly explicit, and I
went on with a confidence which I had hitherto been
a (hanger to. I now made it a point to affedl every
man’s mouth as early as poffible, fometirnes within
two, hut frequently a peculiar conflitution required
three days— few longer — -and in every recent affedlion
with the mot complete fuccefs. Dofes of calomel,
which I would not have ventured to give before, now
became a common prefcription with me ; and they
were fuch only as X found neceffary to produce the
defired effedls, which I had hitherto failed in being able
to accompllfh. In every recent dyfenteric complaiht
X began with twelve grains, which were repeated
night and morning, generally with mercurial friction
of the abdomen ; thus a (lifting the adlion of my pur¬
gatives, and fometirnes very etfedlualiy, till the mouth
became fore. I then gave the folutioa of Glauber’s
fait or calomel occafionally, according to the affedlion
of the mouth, if the pain or tenefmus remained trouble-
feme ; which, however, was feldom the cafe, being,
for the mod part, relieved, and often removed, as foon
as a gentle (pitting was induced. Previous to this I
was under feme apprehenfion from cold, and the (up-
po fed injurious effedls of mercury on the conflitution*
to falfely and flrongly inculcated by many writers: but,
pn the contrary, 1 now found that the habit was in
many inflances invigorated, and 1 think I can fay in all
mproved, by a gentle mercurial courfe. Opium,
which I was obliged to prescribe to relieve the violent
gripes during my former pradlice, 1 now very feldom

Z z 2 made

4D6 Milne 's Account of Difeafes , 8Cc.

made ufe of, latterly never, except in the chronic ftage,
wherein I have as yet not been able to fix uposi
any certain plan of treatment.-— The people who now
died were thofe who before this alteration of practice
had arrived at a very advanced ftage of this difeafe.

“ In the treatment of fever, alfo, what few correft
ideas I had of my own were clouded by the many falfe
doftrines and recommendations of authors, and by
none more than by that of a celebrated writer, who fo lire-
nuoufly inculcates the early and liberal ufe of bark in the
fevers of a hot climate, which he calls remittent: and
although contrary to the practice with which I had
been brought, up, and to my own notions of the inten¬
tions of cure, yet in one infiance, after emptying the
ftomach and bowels, I was prevailed upon, from the
ftatement of that writer, to have recourfe to the bark,
which I gave both early and liberally, without waiting
for a remiflion - -but, lam convinced, with very inju¬
rious effefts ; for the man, a native of India, in a great
meafure owing to this improper treatment, added one
to the fatal number. Another cafe 1 was managing
in the fame way ; but the alarming condition which
my patient was in confequence foon reduced to, made
me requeft the advice of the furgeon of the Adding¬
ton. The bark was now left off ; calomel and the
antimonial powder were given in its dead — -of the for¬
mer fix grains, with four of the latter, every four hours ;
adding alfo fome fweet fpirits of nitre to his drink. On.
the next day after the time of commencement of this
alteration, this man was free from every dangerous
fymptom : upon his mouth getting fore, his fever left
him, and he recovered rapidly without any other me¬
dicine. It is here worthy of remark, that the ftupor
and mfenfibility of the fyfiem required this, which
may appear to many a large hofe.”

A farther opportunity prefented itfelf for proving
the inutility of the bark in dyfentery, even when it
was complicated with intermittent fymptoms of the
tertian type..; this medicine was found* in general, to

aggravate

O O

Milne’s* Account of Difeafcs, SCc» 497

aggravate the bowel complaint. Several inftances of
feurvy appeared ; but what deferves notice is, that
the men who had been taking mercury did not
feem to be rendered more liable to the difeafe from
that circumftance ; on the contrary, the author ob-
ferved that thofe in whom the mercurial courfe had
been pulhed, fo as fpeedily to affeft the mouth, and
thus give a check to the diforder before debility was
induced by it, had but in a very flight degree any
fymptoms of this difeafe ; and in them the mouth was
the only part wherein the fcorbutic difpofltion was
apparent: fo that mercury may be coniidered to have
acted upon this occafion both indirectly as a preven¬
tative, by the removal of difeafe and confequent debi¬
lity, and direftly alfo, by its laying the foundation for
an affection of the mouth, which its previous aftion
on that part appeared to favour. The fymptoms of
feurvy were found to give way to the ufe of fruits and
vegetables, although the diet of fait provifions were
per lifted in at the time: an important fa ft., as it feems
to (hew that the fa line ftate of the fluids, or the muri¬
atic acrimony, is not, as many have fuppofed, the di-
r-eft exciting cauie of feurvy.

The £Qod effects derived in two or three cafes of
feurvy from the earth bath , as deferibe-d below, de«
ferve to be recorded, though the mode of its aftion
mud be allowed to be obfeure. One of thefe men
had laboured under this difeafe in the Weft Indies,
where he told me that he had employed earth-bathing,
and requefted that I would allow him to go on ftiore
for that purpofe. I had little confidence in this re¬
medy, not having coniidered its principle of aftion ;
but as he feemed allured that it would be of fervice
to him, from former experience, I confented to allow
him to go : he moreover mentioned, that, if i rwould
permit the other men who had the difeafe to accom^
pany him, he would bring them on board much better.
This man’s feet were cold, fomewhat cedem atoms,
painful, and covered with livid and .copper-coloured

Z z 3 ' blotches $

498

Milne"? Account of Dffeafes , K'o,

blotches $ the affe£tion of his gums and petechias were
removed^ which change was alfo brought about in the
other men by the vegetable diet and fruit, one of
whom was dropfical, with eedematous fwellings of his
feet, legs, and thighs. It was about two days befoy©
we failed that thefe people went on Chore, and under
the direction of the conduQor buried the affefted parts
for nearly half an hour in rather a moift foil. The
dropfical patient was immerfed up to the fcrobiculus
cordis. During the time that the affeQed parts were
covered with earth, they fa id that it felt very cold:
upon getting up, they went to the fea-fide, and walked
themfelves clean, and were well dried with a warm
cloth. After dreffing, they took a gentle walk, which
produced a remarkable glow and increafe of fenfation
in every part. When they came on board, in the
evenings the guide of the party was very fenfibl'y bet¬
ter, and the reft expreffed great fatisfaQion, and hopes
of getting well. In the coitrfe of the night, the man
affected with the dropfical fwellings began to make
water freely, from the ufe of a diuretic draught, which
he had hitherto taken without effect. On the next
day they went on Chore a fecond time, and were buri¬
ed as before ; and in four days from this period, after
we went to fea, thefe men were able to move about
upon deck, and do a little duty Abe dropfical patient
being no w almoft free from his fwellings.”

The following obfervatipns are judicious, and high¬
ly fatisfaclory in eftablifhing the utility of the mercu¬
rial treatment in the cure of dyfentery. ‘‘Soon after
my arrival in England, ‘ Clarke on the Difeafes of a
hot Climate/ fell into my hands ; and, being then but
a late publication, I was induced to give into his
principal opinions, and adopt bis recommendations of
praCice, more particularly as his high encomiums
Upon the effedls of mercury in dyfentery called to my
reeollcdlion how I had been fuccefsful by the ufe of
the fame remedy. I accordingly began my next voy-
gge, determined in every cafe of dyfentery to employ

mercury :

MilneV Account of Difcafes^Kc. 4119

mercury: but I was not made aware by this book how
neceffary it was to a fled! the mouth within a given pe¬
riod, to avert the fatal ftroke in many cafes. In the
fever called remittent, which has generally been faid
to be fo fatal in hot countries, I had in like manner re¬
ceived, after evacuating theftomach and bowels, to ule
the bark in fubflance early and liberally, not aware—
nor does the above author appear to be fo— that it is
the operation of the emetic and purgative remedies
which hath given the credit to the early adminiftra-
tion of the bark ; for this medicine, although powerful
in preventing the return of this and other fevers, yet
will never be found to cure any of this type when pre¬
fers t.

“ Upon the outward bound paffage of my fecond
voyage, feveral flight cafes of dyfentery occurred,
wherein I regulated my practice fo as to remove any
occafional fevere gripes by purging, and in the in¬
termediate days employed fuch remedies as it appear¬
ed to me would fupport the ftrength of my patient,
and give tone to the ftomach and bowels. I was fue-
pefsful, becaufe I had little to do, the difeafe being
unattended by. any violent fymptoms, and happening
under tolerably favourable circumflances of climate,
I: wais, however, proud of my practice and fuppofed
cures, and began to conceive myfelf invincible. On
the Efft day I gave the folution of Glauber’s falts,
which in general operated freely by ftool, and at bed¬
time an opiate with calomel was exhibited. If the
gripes and tenefmus were not urgent on the next day,
I gave pills compofed of ipecacuanha, calomel, and
opium, at an interval of three hours. The third gene¬
rally obliged me to repeat my purgative, which was
fometimes the Caftor-otl. The gripes and tenefmus
were again relieved, and the fourth day admitted of
my pills a fecond time. Very often the next purga¬
tive on the rifth day carried off the difeafe, or, a diar¬
rhoea being induced, continued moderate under the

Z z 4 — ufe

500 Milne V Account of Difeafe s, , Sic.

life of the pills, and the patients got well, without the
mouth, if I recollect, being affected in any inftance.

“Thus we got to China after rather a long paiTage,
without the lots of any of our people by difeafe. But
here a fcene was foon opened, which convinced me
that my ideas were by no means correct. The prac¬
tice which I had adopted upon the pah age to that
place I now began to deviate from ) (the uiual confe-
quence of afiting without principle): and in one or
two cafes I tried the effebis of calomel and opium
combined, in expedition of effectually relieving the
gripes, and alio of keeping the bowels open, hoping
in this way the fooner to effedi a cure. I gave thefe
medicines, in the proportion of three grains of the
former to a quarter of a grain of the latter, every
th ree hours ; but the refult was very different from
what I expedled : this formula having operated as if
an opiate alone had been given, no lenfible influence
being: perceivable from the calomel. The confe-
quence was, that this improper treatment, and lots
of the two or three flrfi days, which fhould have been
better employed, allowed an impending inflammation
to take place, which ended in the death of one of our
people. Difeafe was now daily increaflog, and be¬
coming in many inftances more violent : my curative
indications, which i was formerly fo elate with, begap
to fail me; they were not fufficiently adfive for the
prefent aggravated fymptoms ; and my dofes of me¬
dicines were often ineffedhial, foon convincing me
that my meafures were not at all applicable; and it
was not till I met with the gentleman whofe name I
have thought proper to mention, that I was put into
the train which I afterwards followed up withfo much
fuccefs ; and, as I have had no reafon to alter the
feveral ideas which Mr. Liddel pointed out to me
refpedling the nature of dyfentery, I fhall now take an
opportunity of explaining them.

“ I was now informed that I muff expeff to And
this difeafe prefent itfelf in various lhapes, and in

different

Milne's1 Account of Difeafes, 8fc. 50 i

different degrees, but that they were all at fuch a n
unhealthy period to be equally dreaded— the fimple
attack often more than the combined, becaufe in the
latter there is in general fo much alarm as to induce
tne furgeon to employ powerful means for the removal;
but in the former, the appearances are often fo
deceitful as to lull the practitioner into a fatal fecurity,
until the difeafe becomes confirmed, and the fuccefs
ot the treatment very uncertain. I was therefore re¬
commended to purge freely, and to cany mercury
with fpeed in every indance to affeCt the mouth, and
was alfo defined to keep up the forenefs of the gums,
until a diarrhoea was brought on, which I was told to
confider as the only certain criterion of the removal
of tinctures, or the immediate dyfenteric caufeT
—The author then goes on to explain the proximate
paufe ofdyfentery, which he fuppofes to confift in
a fir iCtu re in fo me part of the alimentary canal, and
which he conceives readily accounts for all the phe¬
nomena : but this idea is liable to confiderable objec¬
tion ; fince flriClure appears, with greater probability,
to be an effeCl rather than a caufe of the difeafe; one
only of many concurring circumflances. The practi¬
cal faCts here laid down are however not at all quef-
tionahle, nor the utility of the work lefifened, by thefe
fpeculations; in which the author rarely indulges.

Purging being confidered as the chief remedy, all
means that interfere with this are, of courfe, injurious.
The whole tribe of opiates, a ft rin gents, tonics, and
abforbents, are condemned, as not merely ufelefs but
injurious. Calomel was the remedy chiefly relied on,
and that in confiderable dofes. “ In my practice. I
gave from eight to twelve grains of this medicine, ge-

o o u t J o

nerally the latter dofe, that I might be fure of having
my objeCl effected ; for although it might occafton
two or three ftools more than 1 intended, vet no bad
effeCfs ever refulted from it. Not one dofe, however,
probably not two, perhaps not three, not even more,
will be found fufficient ; fo that calomel is, therefore,

V . . ‘ " *

50’ 2 Mi file Account of Dif safes, 'Kc.

to be given dofe after dofe without interruption ; that
is-, night and morning, accompanied by mercurial fric¬
tion of the abdomen, which will be found greatly to
aflift both our views, until the mouth becomes fore.
It will probably now happen that our intentions
are completely anfwered ; for, at the time of the
mouths getting fore, the difeafe very often yields: fa
that mercury mud be po fie fled of a powerfully anti-
fpafmodic or relaxing quality.—— Diarrhoea now en-
lues, and continues generally for a longer or (barter
period, according to the violence of the difeafe ; and
here we mull particularly dire£t that this fymptom be
not interfered with, but rather encouraged by an oc-
cafional purgative, either Glauber’s falts or rhubarb,
as being the moil effect ual means of reftoring an equal
aft ion of the bowels, which may now be confide red
to be fomewhat irregular in their fundi ions, and to re¬
quire its ufe. Calomel will hardly be further requifite ;■
but friftion'of the abdomen may be continued, if the
affeftion of the mouth will admit of it. This de¬
gree of excitement upon the furface of the ab¬
domen will dim ill ate the mouths of the la&eals, and
will be found a moft powerful means of reftoring
ffrength by a more free abforption of nourifhmenL
No animal food is during this time to be made ufe of,
for it will often bring on a return of every fymptom
that had been relieved by the previous operation of
a purgative ; and it is not until the diarrhoea hath
disappeared that this article of diet can be admitted
without a rifle of inducing a relapfe, of which it is oft-
ener the caufe than aim oil; any other circumftance.”

In more violent cafes of the difeafe, and when
marks of inflammation (hew themfelves, copious blood¬
letting is recommended ; e not to moderate the fym’p-
toms, but at once to cure them to this is to be add¬
ed, blidering the abdomen, with a dill more liberal
employment of calomel purges and mercurial frictions,
in order to affecl the mouth as quickly as poffible.
Should the dyfenterre fymptoms continue, the purga¬
tive

Milne T Account of Difeafes , Me* SOS

five plan is to be followed up by giving, as the tenef*
mus may require, a folution of Glauber’s fait, or calo¬
mel, according to the aiTeftion of the mouth, till a
diarrhoea enfues; when we may conclude, with af-
furance, that the conftridtion has ceafed.

The author is inclined to the opinion, that dyfepiery
is never produced from infection ; as he obferves,- that
although he has had many opportunities of feeing it in
all its ftao'es. and in litigations the moil favourable to

O f * i

the communication of contagion, he never could, in a
(ingle inilance, trace the difeafe to that fource. But
the experience of the author can by no means be ad¬
mitted as competent to overturn the very weighty au~
tho.r.i ties on the oppolite fide of the quell ion. Alter
what has been written by Sir J. Pringle and others on
the fubjedf, the contagioufnefs of dyfentery is fcarceljr
to be queftioned*

When dvfenterv has arrived at the chronic dale,
neither this nor any other plan of cure can be relied
on ; for they very frequently fail. It is of the greater
confequence, therefore, to produce a fpeedy termina¬
tion in the beginning, which the author thinks may*
in almoft every cafe, be accompliflied by the method
enjoined above.

The author’s experience in fevers has not been con¬
siderable ; but, as far as it has gone, it is in favour of
the mercurial practice. After clearing the primus
vise, he exhibited from four to fix grains' of calomel
night and morning, which generally occasioned three
or four (tools ; and this he continued, unlefs the feverifh
fymptoms difappeared, till the mouth became affect¬
ed, when the fymptoms were found to be for the moil
part removed. He followed the fame practice in in-
termittents, and with equal fuccefs. The patient, he
obferves, never complained of being weakened by
thefe evacuations ; and by particular attention to their
diet, none of them relapfed. As an emetic in hot cli¬
mates, tartar emetic is not to be relied on, being un¬
certain

50i Milne ',9 Account of Difeafes > Kc,

certain and unequal in its operation : combined with
ipecacuanha, it rarely fails to produce the defired ef-
te£h

The author's remarks on cholera, hepatitis, and
fome other difeafes incident to hot climates, have no¬
thing in them particularly deferving notice here : the
following paffage, however, on the ufe of the nitrous
acid in hepatitis Ihould be quoted, in anfwer to tefti-
inonies of a very different nature. “ As much hath
been lately faid re fpe fifing the efFefts of the nitrous
acid in this difeafe, I fhall infert an extrafit of a letter
which I received from a furgeon upon the Bombay
eftablifhment, and which will place it (in fome degree)
in the light in which it ought to be viewed, s I have
to thank you for the very excellent account which you
have given me of the e hefts of the nitrous acid, and
your confequent advice to me not to touch it. It ap¬
pears to me, from trial, to be a very dangerous medi¬
cine ; and had I not ufed it on my felf, from the refpeft
which I entertained for its author, I might have been
tempted to truft to it in practice. ’—This medicine, I
am well perfuaded, will never remove a difeafed ftate
of any part, and Ihould only be looked upon in the
light of a very ufeful tonic.”

One other point remains to be mentioned, refpeft-
ing marffi raiafmata, where the opinions of the author
will be found a little heterodox. After clearly point¬
ing out the importance of attending to the effects of tem¬
perature, both in exciting and in preventing difeafes,
accordingly as it is managed, he adds: <s I muff here
“ touch a little upon the fubjeft of noxious exhala-
tions : what they are, or how they operate upon
the human body, I could never underhand ; nor do
I believe that thofe men know any thing of the mat-
** ter who adduce them as a caufe of difeafe. It is
the different degrees of temperature alone that can
or do operate morbidly, or in producing the healthy
aftidn j and it is particular modifications' of it that

u determine

505

Chamberlaine’s Hiftory , Sb.

*s determine to particular affeCtions.” — This betrays
great want of obfervation, and an almoft total igno*
ranee of medical hiftory. The paffage altogether is,
perhaps, one of the very few, which, the editor ob-
lerves in the preface, had the author himfejf been in
England to have fuperintended the publication, he
£C would probably have chofen to exprefs in terms
tc fomewhat more qualified.”

—■ mmm.— -n». — . - . . .

Art. LXIX. A Tranjlation of Ans-teyV Ode to
Jenner: to which arc added two Tables; one
Jkeiving the Advantages of Vaccine Inoculation , the
other containing Infractions for the Practice. By
John Ring, Member of the Royal College of Sur¬
geons in London. 4to, 17 pages, price Is 6d.
London, 1804. Murray.

us.

ITH the poetical part of the work before us
l\ vve (hall not meddle ; nor need the reft detain
The advantages of the new practice, and the di¬
rections for employing it, are concifely but ftrongly
ftated. Nothing new, however, is offered on the fub-

jeft.

Art. LXX. Hiftory of the Proceedings of the Com¬
mittee appointed by the General Meeting of A pot he*
caries , Chemi/ts , and Druggifts, in London , for the
Purpofe of obtaining Relief from the Hard/hips im -
pofed on the Dealers in Medicine , by certain Claujes
and Provijions contained in the Nezv Medicine Act,
pajfed June 3, 1802: together with a Vie zv of the
Act , as it now /hinds, in its ameliorated State. rTo
which are added the Subftance of every Claufe in the
Acts of June 3, 1802, and July 4, 1803, and the
Claufes of both thofe Acts , collated with each other ,
conjolidated and explained: alj'o a copious and care¬
fully arranged Schedule , With explanatory Notes

\ and

506

Chamberlaines Hijlory , Kc.

and Observations. By William Chamberlain^
Surgeon , Chairman of the Committee . 8vo, 53
pages, price 2s. London, 1804* Highley.

WE need add little to the ample title page above
transcribed, in order to excite the attention
of a numerous clafs of our readers to the contents of
tire work.. We muft obferve, however, that the chief
part of it has already appeared in the Phyfical Journal ,
and that the additions now made confix cf an abridge¬
ment and comparifon of the two afts of parliament on
the fubjefl, together with a copious and carefully ar¬
ranged fchedule, enumerating every article mferted
in the fchedules of both acts, fire wing all the articles
in each now liable to the medicine duty; all thole
which were made liable by the former aft of 1802, but
are now exempt ; and thofe which, though omitted
in the fchedule of 1803, may, under certain c ire urn-
fiances, be liable to the tax* '

miscellaneous*

§ 49. Dr. Rufh 0/1 Contagion .

(Continued from page cv.)

f From the explanationthathasbeengiven ofthe inftancesof
fuppofed contagion of the yellow fever, we are compelled to
refort to certain noxious qualities in the atmofphere as the
exclufive caufes, of the prevalence, not only of that fever,
hut (with a few exceptions) of all other epidemic difeafes.
It is true, we are as yet ignorant of the precife nature of thole
qualities in the air which produce epidemics; but their
effects are as certainly felt by the human body as the effebh
of heat; and yet who knows 'the nature of that great and uni-
verfal principle of activity in our globe ?

e That the yellow fever is propagated by means of an im¬
pure atmofphere at all times, and in all places, I infer from
the following fabls.

* 1, It appears only in thofe climates and feafons ofthe
year in which heat, abling upon moift animal and vegetable
matters, fills the air with their putrid exhalations.

f 2, It is unknown in places where a connexion is not per¬
ceptible between it and marfhes, mill-ponds, docks, gutters,
links, u riven til a ted fhips, and other fources of noxious air.
The truth of this remark is eftabliihed by many faffs in
Mr. Lempriere’s excellent hiftory of the difeafes of Jamai¬
ca, and by m oft of the writers upon tropical difeafes. There
is likewife no exception to it in the United States.

4'3, it is defrayed, like its fraternal difeafes,— the common
bilious and intermitting fevers, by means of long-continued
and heavy rains. When rains are heavy, but of fhort duration,
they fufpend it only in warm weather; but when they are
fucceeded by cold weather, they deftroy all the forms of bi¬
lious fever. The malignant tertians defcribed by Dr. Cleg-1
horn always ceafed about the autumnal equinox ; for at that
time, fays the Doctor, “ Rain falls in fuch torrents as to tetir
up trees by the roots, carry away cattle, break down fences,
and do confiderabie mifchief to the gardens and vineyards;
but after a long and fcorching lummer they are very accep¬
table and beneficial, for they mitigate the exceffive heat of

the air, and give a check to

enidemiCal difeafes.”

* 4* It

MISCELLANEOUS.

*4, It is completely deftroyed by froff. Now as neither
rains nor frofts .a£t in fick rooms,, nor affedl the bodies of tick
people, they moil annihilate the difeafe by adhng exclufively
upon the atmofphere. Very different in their nature are
the im all-pox and mealies, which are propagated by fpecific
contagion. They do not wait for the funs of July or Aogufty
nor do they require an impure atmofphere, or an exciting
csule, to give them activity. They fpread in the winter and
fpringas well as in the fummer and autumnal months: wet
and dry weather do not arreft their progrefs ; and froft (fo
fatal to the yellow fever), by rendering it neceffary to ex¬
clude cold air from fick rooms-, inereafes. the force of their
contagion, and thereby propagates them more certainly
through a country.

fit has often been afked. Why do not the putrid matters
which produce yellow fever in fome years produce it every
year? This queftion might be aofwered by afldng feveral
others. Why does not the matter which produces the ma¬
lignant fore throat (which is certainly a domeftic difeafe)
produce it every year ? Why does the dyfentery rife up in
our own country, and fpread ficknefs and death through

whole families and villages in one year, and, disappear from
the fame places for fifteen or twenty years afterwards ? All
thefe queftions inay he anfwered by refolving the caufe into
a concurrence of what has been called an inflammatory or

malignant conffitution of the atmofphere, the effects of
which are no lefs obvious upon the final] -pox and mealies than
they are upon the former difeafes which have been mentioned*
'.The malignant date of the air has been noticed by all
writers upon epidemics, in all the nations of Europe, from
Hippocrates down to the prefent day. An acknowledge¬
ment of its influence has latelv been made on this hue the
Atlantic by Dr. Baltazar de Villalobos, in a hiftory of a pefti-
lent i al' fever which lately prevailed in Chaneay, in South
America, a copy of which was put into my hands lafl fum-
mer by Dr. Seip, foon after his return from Lima. I am for-
jy to add, the exiftence of this to ©aov of the father of phyfic
was denied for the fir it time in the United States. It is to no
purpofe to fay its prefence has not been detected by any che-
• . • mica)

MISCELLANEOUS.

• ext

mtcal agents. The fame thing has been juitly faid of the
exhalations which produce the bilious intermitting, remitting,
and yellow fever. No experiment that has yet been made has
difcovered their prefence in the air. The eudiometer has
been ufed in vain for this purpofe. In one experiment made
by Dr. Gattani, the air from a marfh at the mouth of the
river Vateline was found to be apparently purer by two de¬
grees than the air on a neighbouring mountain, which was
two thou land eight hundred and eighty feet higher than the
fea. The inhabitants of the mountain were notwithftandjng
healthy, while thofe who lived in the neighbourhood of the
marlh were annually afflihied with bilious and intermitting
fevers. The contagions of the finalbpox and mealies conflft
of matter, and yet who has ever difcovered this matter in
the air? We infer the exilience of thofe remote caufes of
difeafes in the atmofphere, only from their effects. Of th&
exigence of putrid exhalations in it, there are other evidences
befide bilious and yellow fevers. They are fometimes the
objects of the fenle of fmelling. We fee them in the pale or
fallow complexions of the inhabitants of the countries which
generate them ; and we obferve them occafionally in the dif«
eafes of feveral domeftic animals.

f The advocates for the yellow fever being a fpecificdifeafe,
and propagated only by contagion, will gam nothing by our
admitting an inflampiatory condi tution of the atmofphere (the
caufe of which is unknown to us) to be necelTary to raife
common remittents to that grade in which they become
malignant yellow fevers. They are obliged to have recourfe
to an unknown quality in the air every time they are called
upon to account for the difeafe prevailing chiefly in our
cities, and not fpreading when it is carried from them into
the country. The fame reference to an occult quality in the
air is had by all the writers upon the plague, in accounting
for its immediate and total extinction when it is carried into
a foreign port.

* In /peaking of the influence of an inflammatory confti?
tut ion of the atmofphere in railing common bilious to malig¬
nant yellow fevers, E wifli not to have it fuppofed that its couu
■ ; vox. x. 3 A currency

cxii

Miscellaneous.

currence is necefiary to produce fporadic cafes of that or a nf
other malignant difeafe. Strong exciting caufes* combined
with highly volatilized and active miafmata* I believe* will
produce a yellow fever at any time. I have feen one or
more fuch cafes almoft every year fmce I fettled in Philadel¬
phia* and particularly when my bufinefs was confined
chiefly to that clafs of people who live near the wharve*
arid in the fuburbs* and who are ftill the firft* and frequently
the only* vidtims of the yellow fever.

* From the account that has been given of the different ways
in which this difeafe is communicated from one perfon to
another* and from the fadts which efiablifh its propagation
executively through the medium of the atm of ph ere* when it
becomes epidemic* we may explain feveral things which be-
long to its hiftory* that are inexplicable upon the principle of
its fpecific contagion.

* 1 . W e iearn the reafon why* in feme in fiances, the fever does
not fpread from a perfon who fickens or dies at fea* who had
carried the feeds of it in his body from a fickly fhore. It is
Becaufe no febrile miafmata exift in the bodies of the reft of
the crew la be excited into adtion by any peculiar fmell from
the difeafe* or by fear or fatigue* and becaufe no morbid ex¬
cretions are generated by the perfon who dies. The fever
which prevailed on hoard the Nottingham Eaft Indiaman* in
the year 1766* a fie died thole forty men only who had flept on
fhore on the ifland of Joanna twenty days before. Had the
whole crew been on fhore* the difeafe would probably have a£«
fedted them all* and been aferibed to contagion generated by
the firft perfons who were confined hy it. A D-anifh fhip* in the
vear 1768, fent twelve of her crew on fhore for water. They
were all feized after their return to the fhip* with a malignant
fever* and died without infecting any perfon on board* and
from the fame caufes which preferved the crew of the Notting¬
ham Indiaman.

* We learn the reafon why the difeafe fometixne#
fpread s through a whole fhip’s crew apparently from one or
more affected perfons. It is either becaufe they have been
confined to final 1 and clofe births bv bad weather, or be-
caufe the fever has been protradied to a typhus or chronic ftate,

MISCELLANEOUS

h'v becaufe the bodies of the whole crew are impregnated with
in orbid iniafm ata, and thus predifpofed to have the difeafe excit-
ed in the manner that has been mentioned. In thelall way it
was excited in moil of the crew of the United States frigate
in the Delaware,, oppofite to the city of Philadelphia,, in the
year 1797- It appears to have fpread from a fimilar caufe,
from a few Tailors on board the Grenville Indiaman, after
touching at Batavia. The whole crew bad been predifpofed to
the difeafe by inhaling the noxious air of that iflaod.

‘ The lame reafons account for the fever expiring in a heal¬
thy village or country ; alfo for its fpreading> when carried to
thofe towns which are feated upon creeks or rivers,, and in the
neighbourhood of marfh exhalations. It has uniformly perilh-
ed in the high and healthy village of Germantown, when
carried from Philadelphia, and has three times appeared
to be contagious near the muddy fhores of the creeks which
flow through Wilmington and Chelten

‘ 3, From the fadls that have been mentioned, we are
taught todifbelieve the poffibility of the difeafe being import-
ed in the malls and fails of a fhip, by a contagious matter
fecreted by a faijor who may have lickened or died on board
her on a paflage from a Well India ifland. The death in moil
of the cafes of contagion, fuppofed to be imported in this way*
occurs within a few days after the fhip leaves her Well India
jrort, or within a few days after her arrival. In the former cafe,
the difeafe is derived from Weft India miafmata ; in the lat¬
ter, it is derived either from the foul air of the hold of the
fhijj, or of the dock or wharf to which the Ihip is moored.

* It is a good practice to meafure the truth or error of opi¬
nions in fcienee, by the influence they are calculated to pro¬
duce upon national, phyfical, and moral happinefs.

' A belief in the non-contagion of the yellow fever, and of
its being incommunicable except in one of the five ways that
have been mentioned, is calculated to produce the following
good effedls :

‘ It will deliver the States which have fea-ports from
four- fifths of the expences of their prefent quarantine laws
and lazaret toes. A very fn all apparatui m kWs and officer#

3 A 2 would

exit-

MISCELLANEOUS.

would be fhfficient to prevent the landing of perfons affected
by the fhip fever in our cities, and the more dangerous practice
of fhips pouring ltreams of peflilential air from their holds
upon the citizens who live near our docks and wharves.

*2, It will deliver our merchants from the Ioffes incurred by
the delays of their fhips by long and unneceffary quarantines.
It will, -moreover, tend to procure the immediate admiffion of
our fhips into foreign ports, by removing that belief in the
contagious nature of the yellow fever which originated in
our country, and which has been fpread by the public adts of
our Legiflatures and Boards of Health throughout the globe.

f 3, It will deliver our citizens from the danger to which
they are expofed by fpending the time of the quarantine on
board of veffels in the neighbourhood of the marfhes, which
form the fhores of the rivers or coafls of quarantine roads.
This danger is much increafed by idlenefs, and by the vexa¬
tion which is excited by failors and paffengers being detaia-
ed unneceffarily fifteen or twenty days from their bufinefs and
friends.

e 4, It will lead us to a fpeedy removal of all the excretions,
and a conflant ventilation of the rooms of patients in the yel¬
low fever, and thereby to prevent the accumulation and fur¬
ther putrefaction of thofe exhalations which may reproduce
it.

* 5, It is calculated to prevent the -defertion of perfons in
the yellow fever by their friends and families, and to produce
caution in them to prevent the excitement of the difeafe in
their own bodies, by means of low diet and gentle phyfic,
proportioned to the impurity of the air, and to the anxiety
and fatigue to which they are expofed in attending the tick.

* 6, It will put an end to the cruel practice of quieting the
groundlefs fears of a whole neighbourhood, by removing the
poor who are affe&ed by the fever from their houfes, and con¬
veying them, half dead with difeafe and terror, to a folitary
or crowded hofpital.

r 7, By deriving the fever from our own climate and atmo-
fjphere, we fhall be able to forefee its approach in the increaf¬
ed violence of common difeafes, in the morbid ftate of vege¬
tation.

MISCELLANEOUS, CXT

tation, in the courfe of the winds, in the difeafes of cep-
tain brute animals, and in the increafe of common or the
appearance of uncommon infe6ls.

ff 8, A belief in the non-contagion of the yellow fever, and
its general prevalence from putrid animal and vegetable mat¬
ters only , is calculated to lead us to drain or cover marlhy
grounds, and to remove from our cities all the fources of im¬
pure air, whether they ex ill in holds of {hips, in docks, gut¬
ters, and common fewers, or in privies, gardens, yards, and
cellars, more efpeciallv during the exiftence of the ligns of
a malignant conftitution of the air mentioned under the pre¬
ceding head. By thefe means, I believe (the aifertion is not
too bold a one), the yellow fever might be as effectually an-
nihilated as the fmall-pox will probably foon he by vaccina¬
tion. A fever, the fame in its caufes and hmilar to it in
many of its lymptoms, that is, the plague, has been extirpat¬
ed, by extraordinary degrees of cleanlinefs, from the cities of
Holland, Great Britain, and feveral other parts of Europe.

f You will perceive, from the faCfcs and reafonings contained
in this letter, that I have relinquilhed the opinion publifhed
in my account of the yellow fever in the year 1793, 1794, and
1797, refpeCting its contagious nature. I was milled by Dr.
Lining, and feveral Weil India writers, in aferibing a much
greater extent to the excreted matters in producing the dii-
eafe than I have iince difcovered to be correCL You will
perceive, likewife, that I have changed my opinion refpedling
the manner in which the plague is propagated. 1 once be¬
lieved, upon the authorities of travellers, phyficians, and
ichools of medicine, that it was a highly contagious difeafe*
generated chiefly by miafmata from living but difeafed
bodies. I am now latisfled this is not the cafe. It is the
offspring, like the yellow fever, of exhalations from pu$rid
vegetable and animal matters ; but from the greater number
of people who are depreffed and debilitated by poverty and
famine, and who live in fin all and filthy huts in the cities of
theOttoman Empire, than in the cities of the United States, 1
believe it to be more frequently communicated from an in-
ter courfe with fick people by the morbid excretions of the

3 A 3 ^fcody

CXV1 MISCELLANEOUS.

"body than the yellow fever is in our country. For my
change of opinion upon this fubjeift I am indebted to Dr.
Caldwell’s and Mr. Web Iter’s publications upon Peftilential
Difeafes, and to the travels of Mariti and Sonnini into Syria
and Egypt. I rejecft, of courfe, with the contagious quality of
the plague, the idea of its ever being imported into any coun¬
try, fo as to become epidemic, by means of a knife-cafe, a
piece of cotton, ora bale of ftlks, with the fame decifton that
I do all the improbable and contradictory reports of an epide¬
mic yellow fever being imported in a failor’s jacket, or in the
timbers and fails of a fhip that had been walked by the fait
water, and fanned by the pure air of the ocean, for feveral
weeks on her paffage from the Weft Indies to the United
States.

* It gives me pleafure to find this unpopular opinion of the
non-contagion of the plague is not a new one. It was held
by the Faculty of Medicine in Paris, in the beginning of the
eighteenth century, and it has fince been defended by Dr.
Stoll, of Vienna, Dr. Samoilowitz, of Kuftia, and feveral
other eminent pbyficians. Dr. Heberden, jun. has lately
called in queftion the truth of all the ftories that are upon
record of the plague having been imported into England in
the left century; and the refearches of the pbyficians who
accompanied the French anny into Egypt, it is faid, have pro^
duced the moft fatisfadlory proofs of its not being contagious
in its native country.

* I am aware of the influence which fueb changes in medical
opinions as I have acknowledged have upon aphyfician’s re¬
putation; but fmall, indeed, fliould I confkler the total facrh
fice of mine, could it avert the evils which are connected with
a belief in the importation of peftilential difeafes, and infure
the benefits to the world which would neceflarily flow from
the eftablifhment of the principles contained in this letter.
I expect but little fuccefs from it. My principal deflgn in
writing it is to deduct that portion from the mifery produced
by plagues and yellow fevers, which my former opinion of
the manner in which they are propagated may poflibly^ have
€feaiech Even this confolation, X fear, will be denied to

MISCELLANEOUS*

cxvii

me in Philadelphia : for, with as little reafon as formerly in
favour of imported contagion, the majority of our citizens
who believe in it is greater and more decided than in former
years. Never has the unity of our autumnal fever been
more clearly demonftrated than in our prefent epidemic. Its
four principal grades, viz. the intermittent, the mild remit¬
tent, the inflammatory bilious fever, and the malignant yellow
fever, have all run into each other in many inftances. A ter¬
tian has ended in death with a black vomiting; and a fever, with
the face and eyes faffufed with blood, has ended in a quotidian,
which has yielded to a few doles of the bark. The fever in
Baltimore, I have been informed, has put on exadlly the fame
multiform appearances and changes. But in vain have thefe
facts, and many others equally linking, been urged in favour
of the domeftic origin of our prefent fever. Our citizens in¬
dolently repofe in a belief that it was derived from a veffel,
on hoard of which two perfons died on her paiTage from St,
Domingo. This execrated, but harmlefs veffel, was thorough¬
ly cleanfed at the Lazaretto, where fhe lay twenty days, and
no perfon who worked on board of .her has died, or been in-
difpofed frnce her arrival. It is probable leveral cafes
of fever may have originated from the foul air of fome other
veffels, but the greatefl part of them have been evidently
derived from putrid exhalations from our docks, wharves,
yards and cellars in different parts of the city. Not an in-
fiance has been feen of the difeafe fpreading by contagion.
Where more than one in a family have been affected, it was oh-
viouflv derived from the fame putrid fource. Some of our ci¬
tizens admit the poffibility of the difeafe originating from the
noxious air of a fhip, but do not fee the famenefs in the nature
of foul air, whether it be generated in the hold of a fliip, or by
putrid matters on fhore. They moreover confound this air

i *

with a fuppofed fpecific contagion generated in the body of a
patient in the yellow fever. I have deplored the continuance
of all thefe errors, fo fatal to the lives and injurious to the
property of our citizens, but I have deplored them in fllence.
By ceaflng to oppofe them, I have hoped a calm and unpre¬
judiced examination of fa<5ts would take place. This is all
thaf is neceffary to produce a conviction, that the yellow

3A 4 fever

cxvm

MISCELLANEOUS.

fever is not derived from fpecific contagion; that it is always
generated by putrefadtion ; that it is not contagious, in its
Ample ftate, and that it never was, is not, and (while the laws
of nature retain their prefen t order) never can be imported
fo as to become an epidemic in any country.*

§ 50. Method of rejtoring Ejfential Oils that have become
thickened arid rancid : by J. B. De Roover.

(Van Mons Jour, de Chym. &x\)

The volatile effential oils frequently lofe by age their
fluidity, together with the greateft part of their peculiar fra¬
grance. Thefe, it has been di {'covered, may be perfectly
reftored by the following Ample procefs. To four ounces of
the fpoiled oil add two drachms of fulphuric aether. Digeft
them together for a few days, and then diftii with pure water.
‘Jhe oil comes over perfectly limpid, and with its peculiar
odour reftored. A quantity of reftnous matter remains be¬
hind in the ftilh

In this operation, M. De Roover fuppofes that the aether
recompofes the oil by tranfmittiug its hydrogenous principle
to the oily bafe. ^

§ 51. Trials with Oxide of Cobalt in Difeafes.

The within account of the exhibition of a metal, which,
we believe, has never before been adminiftered, is only in¬
tended to excite practitioners to farther trials of this and other
hitherto untried metals, and to fhew that at leaft it (the ox¬
ide of cobalt) may be given, without any bad effects, in the
doles mentioned.

We cannot avoid repeating a remark formerly made, that,
-cOnfidering the efficacy of arfenic, iron, mercury, lead, tin,
copper, ftlver, antimony, and even bifmutb, it is aftonifhiog
that the effects of at leaft a dozen other metals fhould not yet
have been ascertained, and that they ftiould have fcarcely

orice been exhibited.

• # . • *

f‘ In a cafe of chronic rbeumatifm, I adminiftered ten
grains of oxide# of cobalt twice a day for three days, with-

4i * The oxide was prepared by precipitating it from muriate of cobalt by fub-car-
libnate of potafs. (Kali preparation Load. Ph.)

/ ■ out

MISCELLANEOUS

CX1X

out any fenfible effect. After an interval of four days, I
gave, as before, two dofes daily, till fix were taken, which
producing no obfervabie change, the oxide was exhibited in
the quantity of twenty grains at a time, twice a day, for fix
times, with the effect of only exciting ficknefs.

“ In a fecond cafe, of either fyphilitic or rheumatic pains,
ten grains of the oxide of cobalt were adininiftered twice a
day, till fixteen dofes were taken, without any effedf but a

little naufea.

“ In a third cafe, of itching eruption, ten grains of the
oxide were prefcribed twice a day, for four doles, which
proved laxative, and gave relief.

“ In a fourth cafe, three grains of the oxide of cobalt
were given for a dole, without any fenfible effect, to a pa¬
tient ili of a pulmonary confumption.”

— . — ■ • ■ /

§ 52. On Medical N oft rums.

We are far from being advocates for the admiffion. of
nojlrums into regular practice ; for almoft always they are either
medicines already in c^uomon ujjb, varirmfiy dilguiied, or elfe
unworthy and exploded preferiptioas. Yet there may be,
and are, exceptions not imdeierving the attention of pllyficianS,
For inftance: the James's Powder was a very valuable prepa¬
ration of antiiponv, introduced to the public in this country
by Baron Schwanberg, from an old Pharmacopoeia of Schro¬
der ; the Beaume de Fir, we believe, was nearly the fame
prefer! ption as the Tindtura Aloes of the London Difpenfa-
rory; the Bulvis Ipecacuanha compofetus Ph. L. is eiTentially
the fame thing as the Dover s Powaer; Bertuchep’s Tonic

Trndture, or De la Mottos Golden Drops, is a very elegant
folution of iron in ad her ; the Tajielefs Ague Drops are a fo-
lution of white arfenie in water, with the affi fiance of al¬
kali of tartar. There is no doubt that the preparations of
many medicines might be greatly improved, efpecially in
the forms of tincture, infufion, and decocfiion. As a proof :
the Tindture ot Ganger fold by Oxley and Thomas in the
Hay market, under the title of EJJence of Ginger, is far fupe-
rior to the common timfiure of ginger of the London Phar¬
macopoeia,

cxvru

MISCELLANEOUS.

fever is not derived from fpecific contagion; that it is always
generated by putrefaction ; that it is not contagious, in its
iinjple ftate, and that it never was, is not, and (while the laws
of nature retain their prefent order) never can be imported
fo as to become an epidemic in any country/

§ 50. Method of rejiormg Effential Oils that have become
thickened and rancid : by J. B. De Roover.

(Van Mons Jour, de Chym. &rc.)

The volatile effential oils frequently lofe by age their
fluidity, together with the greateft part of their peculiar fra¬
grance. Thefe, it has been di (covered, may be perfe&Iy
reftored by the following (imple procefs. To four ounces of
the fpoiled oil add two drachms of fulphuric aether, Di geft
them together for a few days, and then diftii \vith pure water.
The oil comes over perfectly limpid, and with its peculiar
odour reftored. A quantity of red nous matter remains be¬
hind in the fhill.

In this operation, M. De Roover fuppofes that the aether
recompofes the oil by tranfmitting its hydrogenous principle
to the oily bafe.

§ 51. Trials with Oxide of Cobalt in Difeafes.

The within account of the exhibition of a metal, which,
we believe, has never before been adminiftered, is only in¬
tended to excite practitioners to farther trials of this and other
hitherto untried metals, and to fhew that at leaft it (the ox¬
ide of cobalt) may he given, without any bad effeCls, in the
doles mentioned.

We cannot avoid repeating a remark formerly made, that,
•ebnfidering the efficacy ofarfenic, iron, mercury, lead, tin,
copper, filver, antimony, and even bifmuth, it is aftonifhing
that the effeds of at leaf! a dozen other metals ffiould not yet
have been ascertained, and that they fhould have fcarceiy
once been exhibited.

f( In a cafe of chronic rheumatifm, I adminiftered ten
grains of oxide# of cobalt twice a day for three days, with-

4f * The oxide was prepared by precipitating it from muriate of cobalt by fub-car-
&c>nats of potafs. (Kali preparatum Lend. Ph.)

' /■

MISCELLANEOUS,

CX1X

out any fenfible effect. After an interval of four days, I
gave, as before, two dofes daily, till fix were taken, which
producing no obfervable change, the oxide was exhibited in
the quantity of twenty-. grains at a time, twice a day, for fix
times, with the effedt of only exciting ficknefs.

“ In a fecond cafe, of either fyphilitic or rheumatic pains,
ten grains of the oxide of cobalt were adminiftered twice a
day, till fixteen dofes were taken, without any efiedt but a
little naufea.

“ In a third cafe, of itching eruption, ten grains of the
oxide were prefcribed twice a day, for four dofes, which
proved laxative, and gave relief.

“ In a fourth cafe, three grains of the oxide of cobalt
were given for a dole, without any fenfible effect, to a pa¬
tient ill of a pulmonary Confumption.” re 7

\ * / * • / V . J

. — ~ , o J

§ 52, On Medical N oft rums.

We are far from being advocates for the admiffion of
nofirums into regular practice; for almofi always they are either
medicines already in common ujjf, varro^ufiiy difguifed, or elfe
unworthy and exploded prescript ion#. Yet there may be,
and are, exceptions not uiidefervliTg the attention of pllyficians.
For in fiance : the James's Powder was a very valuable prepa¬
ration of anthhony, introduced to the public in this country
hy Baron Schwanberg , from an old Pharmacopoeia of Schro¬
der ; the Beaume de Fie, we believe, was nearly the fame ,
prefcription as the Tinciura Aloes of the London Difpenfa^
rory; the Pulvis Ipecacuanha compofitus Ph. L. is efientialljr
the fame thing as the Dover’s Pozdaer ; Bertuchep’s Tonis
Tindure , or De la Mot ted Golden Drops , is a very elegant
folution of iron in aether ; the Tafielefs Ague Drops are a fo-
lution of white arfenic in water, with the affifiance of al¬
kali of tartar. There is no doubt that the preparations of
many medicines might be greatly improved, efpecially in
the forms of tincture, infufion, and decotfiion. As a proof :
the Tincture ot Ganger fold by Oxley and Thomas in the
Ilaymarket, under the title of Effencc of Ginger , is far fupe-
rior to the common timfiure of ginger of the London Phar¬
macopoeia,

cxx

MISCELLANEOUS.

macopceia, containing, in a given bulk, much more of the
foluble part of the drug ; and is a better medicine, becaufe
there is a greater proportion of the ginger to the fpirit, which
laft, in many cafes, would be hurtful, if the medicine were
given in adequate quantity to be efficacious from the ginger
itfelf. Aiimiiarmode of preparation may, in all probability,
be extended to other tindlures with equal advantage. A
little ingenuity and knowledge of chemiftry would readily
fuggeil many confiderable improvements in this branch of
the healing art.

CORRESPONDENCE.

A. B.’s communication reached us too late for irfertion in
the prefent Number , but will be certainly noticed in our next ;
as will f ever al other valuable works , which want of room hast
compelled us reluktanily to poflpone the confederation of

VIEW

VIEW of the PROGRESS of MEDICINE,

sMmeat

ALTHOUGH in our retrofpedt of Medical Literature for tire
year which has juft chip fed, we have no great difcoveries to an¬
nounce, nor have to record any important advances in medical
fcience, there will yet be found no dearth of interefting fadts ami
occurrences; proving, at 'lead, that the attention of practitioners
has not been withheld from the improvement of the healing art.
We proceed to remark on a few of the mod interefting, articles, and
filch as appear particularly deferving of the reader’s attention.

In the PRACTICAL DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE, we fir ft take
notice of Dr. Fordyce’s concluding DiJJkrlalion on Fever, a fubjed
that of all others appears more particularly to have engaged his at¬
tention during a long and ex ten five practice, and one the hiftory and
treatment of which he has eminently contributed to -the illuftratiou
of. As a faithful and moft minute detail of fadts, this work hands,
we believe, unrivalled: to theory, either in regard to the explanation
of caufes, or to the action of remedies, it makes no pretenftons ;
and it is perhaps fcarcely poflible to produce a work fo thoroughly
free from hypothelis and (peculation. It is true, it holds out to us
no new or infallible remedies, but it teaches at leaft a better ufe of
thofe we already poftefs ; a point of not lefs importance, Specially
when we reflect on the fate of mod of the boafted novelties which
have from time to time been introduced into the practice of medicine.

The view of fever by Dr. Jackfon, fubjoined to his Remarks on the
Conjlitutioii of the Medical Department of the Britijh Army , is recom¬
mended by much ingenious and novel (peculation refpebting the
nature of the difeafe, and the modus operandi of its remedies. Thefe
are points which, to a certain degree, will always be deemed hypo¬
thetical, fin ce they admit of nothing like demonftrative proof in f up-
port of them. His notions lead to a method of cure bold, but: at the
fame time particularly well adapted to the fevers of hot climates,
and fuch as occur in other unhealthy ftluations, where the rapid
progrefs of the difeafe and the violence of the fymptoms call for the
mod powerful means of fpeedy fuppreffion. Blood-letting, as a
remedy for fever, is put in a (Diking point of view, and its utility
and efficacy, under many circumftances, clearly proved. This prac¬
tice, it may be added, lias received the fanction of the mod diftin-
guifhed practitioners in different ages, however' ill it coincide with
modern theories on the fubjedt. Dr. Jackfon likewise has fatisfac-
torily eftablifhecl his ’claim to the merit of having revived the practice
of cold affusion in the treatment of fevers; a practice certainly of
great antiquity, though it, with many other valuable remedies
in this and other difeafes, had gone into almoft total difufe.
With refpedt to its mode of operation, he has clearly (hewn, that it
is not (imply by abftradting excels of heat that it produces its good
eftedts : whether his own explanation of the fubject be perfectly i a-
tisfaclory, is not lb. certain ; for it is eafier to overturn hypothelis
than to eftalilifh demon lira ble truths.

Dr. Browns remarks on the effects of medicine hi theatre of levers
are of a different ftamp, and have a different object in view: viz. to
ascertain the real value of remedies in the ordinary treatment of
thofe difeafes. Thefe remarks are valuable, as drawn from authentic
records of facts occurring in a large and well directed hofpitab
ofcourfe fufficiently ex ten five to warrant the drawing of genera

conclufion*.

View of the Progrefs of Medicine .

conclufions. They afford, it muff he allowed, no very flattering pro-
fped of the powers of the ordinary modes of treatment in difeafes of
this description ; fince it appears at lead doubtful, whether the
natural progrefs of the difprder was in any considerable degree Short¬
ened. But even unwelcome truths have their ufe, as tending to
abate unreasonable confidence, and as inciting to a more fed ulcus
fearch after new and more fuccefsful means of cure.

The epidemical catarrh which raged with considerable violence
during the la (l fpring, has naturally engaged much of the attention
of pra&itioners ; and a good deal of controversy has arifen with rel’ped
fo its general nature and treatment; Some considering it as a highly
phlogiStic difeafe, requiring the free employment of the lancet, with
the appropriate regimen ; others decrying She ufe of all remedies but
thefe of a ftimulating kind, and which they conceive calculated to
obviate debility, the fuppofed proximate caufe of the affebtion*
Thefe contradictions, fq, injurious in their coufequences to prac¬
tice, undoubtedly refult from preconceived hypothefis with refped
to the intimate nature of difeafes, which never fails to diftort the fub-
jed of obferyation, fo as to make it appear with oppohte characters
as viewed by different observers. The contagion fuel’s of the Influen-
15a has alfo been a fubjebt of difpute, though the affirmative of the
quefti on appears, to have been latisfadorily proved, particularly by
the fads adduced by Dr. B&rdjley, as occurring in the lunatic hof*
eital at Manchester. That the difeafe lpread wholly by contagion
is however Scarcely probable, its progrefs being too rapid, and its range
too extend ve, to admit of this fuppofrtion. The propagation of epi¬
demical maladies is a matter which is ft ill involved in great obfeurity.

The contagioufnefs of the plague itfelf has of Sate, as heretofore,
been a fubject of inquiry, for which the Egyptian expedition has fur-
Bk'hed extenfive opportunities. The facts brought forward by Sir
•II, Wilfo'ii on the fubjed go a great way to fliew the n on- exi hence
of contagion in the plague, though they can hardly be deemed con-
clufive ; and they are controverted by the observations of Dr. Witt-
mm> who has adduced fads which appear perfectly deciflve of the
quefiion. Yet a ft range want of fufceptibility with regard to infec¬
tion is obferved in fome, quite unaccountable on any hypothefis; as in
the cafe of the old barber mentioned by Dr. IV., ivho though employ -
<ed all his life, nearly, with impunity in the care of pe-ftiferous patients,
as in bleeding them, opening buboes, and dreffmg their wounds, yet
caught the difeafe at the advanced age of 96, and died of it. The fatal
experiment made by Dr. White on himfelf is a fufficient proof, that
a, poifon is generated in the bodies of perfons aifiided with the plague,,
capable of exciting the difeafe in others ; which at once eftabli flies the
contagioufnefs of it. it is, however, certain that local caufes. have
great influence on the propagation of the plague and other epidemics;
otherwife it is impotlible to account for the regular appearance and
ceffation of thefe maladies at certain feafonsand in certain fituations,
totally independent of human precautions. Perhaps the opinion ex¬
ceeded by Dr. Ryjh (p. xcv.), once an advocate for contagion, may
be the f rue one: viz. that the plague, as well as yellow fever, is the
offspring of exhalations from putrid vegetable and animal matters;
but that they may likewife he communicated by intercourfe with
fick people, through the medium of the vitiated excretions of the body.

View of the Progrefs of Medicine.

But in whatever way the qtieftion be determined with regard to
plague and yellow fever , no one deferving notice has been hardy
enough to deny the exigence of contagion in the fevers moft prevalent
in this quarter of the world. The fubjeCt of late has attracted un-
rtfual attention, with the view of checking the progrefs of infectious'
maladies. Magi ft rates, as well as pbyficians, begin to be Convinced
of the importance. of prevention ; a conviction that, when fully a&ed
on, muff be productive of incalculable benefits to mankind: for the
means are as fun pie as practicable, and call for no greater factifice
of perfonal convenience than fociety has an undoubted right to
exaCt from individuals on fo momentous an occafion.

The other difeafes peculiarly incident to hot climates have been
ably inveftigated by Mr. Power , Mr. Dewar, and Dr. Wittman , whence
new light cannot fail to be reflected on European maladies. The
eon tagiou fuels of the Egyptian ophthalmia appears to be clearly prov¬
ed. Some points in the treatment of dyfentery and other inteftinal
affections have likewife been illuftrated. The obferv&tions of Mr.
Milne on difeafes occurring during long fea voyages, rank with the
heft and raoft ufefui of the kind. He appears to have demo nitrated
the decided efficacy of mercury in the cure of dyfentery and hepatitis,
when employed to an adequate extent. He has lhewn, likewife, the
inutility of the vaunted nitric acid, which at one period was to
have fuperfeded mercury, both in the treatment of this and of fyphi-
li tic affections, but which already fee ms nearly to have terminated
its Ihort career. The ieefficacy of this remedy in the latter malady
has been pointed out by Dr. Yeats in a cafe of fecondary lues, which
readily yielded afterwards to the mercurial treatment.

The labours of the Traniatlantic practitioners have furmfhed us
with feveral valuable articles. Dr. Otto's account of an has mop*
rhagic difpofttion prevailing in certain families is as curious and ex¬
traordinary a fact as the records of medicine can produce. The
fpeculations of Dr. llujh on the means of leftemng the pains and
dangers of child bearing, are exceedingly ingenious, though at prefent
hypothetical. They have however enough of probability to entitle
them to the attention of practitioners, as a fit fubjeht for inquiry.-— The
reader will perceive that the prefent volume of our Review has been
enriched from various other foreign fources, which it is hardly necefe
ikry to particulhri^e.

In physiology, M. llickerand' s Treat ife, as prefented to us m
an Englifh drefs by Mr. Kerrifon , forms a valuable addition to the
ftore of medical literature. Such a work, embracing the more re¬
cent difeoveries in the auxiliary branches of fcience, as chemiftry
and galvanifin, was in faCt a delideratum in medicine.

The praciice of vaccination continues to be purfued with unabated,
ardour, and promifes, as far as this is capable of effecting it, a fpcedy
extermination of the final 1 pox. Amongft the novelties attending
if, is the fubftituti.pn of the goat pock matter for the vaccine in Spain,
and with equal efficacy, it would feem, as a preventive of fmall-pox.
Whether the difeafe furni filing the matter in the goat be proper to
this animal, or derived fecondarily from the cow, does not appear.
A wide field for lpeculation and experiment with regard to morbid
poifonsr is opened, which, it is to be hoped, will not want cultivation.
One is naturally led to conjecture, that a Bill greater number of
✓ morbid

'View of the Vrogrefs of Medicine .

morbid poifons are preventive of the action of the variolous ; or that
they have all of. them fbmewhat in common in this refpebt : and the
effect is perhaps reciprocal. This fufpicion is farther ftrengthened
■fey the communications of Dr, De Carro , in regard to the prevention
el the plague by vaccination. The facts adduced on this point are
ffriking, but afford prefumptive evidence only.

The queftion refpe&ing the origin of the cow-pock appears not yet
to have received a fatisfadlory anfwer. The experiments of Dr. Loy1
h,owc' er, go a confiderable way in fupport of the opinion of the dif-
eafe in cows being derived from the greafe of horfes ; and the facts
mentioned by Dr. Sacco of Milan are corrobative of the fame notion.
It appears like wife from both, that the matter of greafe, as well as
the vaccine, is pof hefted of anti-variolous properties. — The laft volume
ot Mr. Ring , which evinces much induftrious refearch, completes the
hi (lory of the fubject of vaccination, down to the period of his- writing.
Whilft the Report pubhihed by the Vaccine Ivfiitution contains every
tail of importance as far as regards the practice of the new inocula¬
tion. N

In the department of surgery, a number of interefting publica¬
tions have appeared. Amongft the fir ft of thefe, in point of value,
tank Mr. lley’s Practical Qbf creations in Surgery , a work that con¬
tains a large fund of nfeful inftrudiion on many of the mod import¬
ant fubjebts.. His remarks on internal derangement of the knee
joint are of the greateft utility, as pointing out a very limple mode of
relief in a mo ft diftreffing affection. The fame gentleman’s remarks
on dislocations, on procidentia ani, on empyema, on hernia, and on
the difeafe termed by him fungus hamatodes , are in many refpecls
novel, and highly inftructive. Mr. Trye’ s Observations on Injuries'
of the Lower Limbs, and Dr. Monro’s on Femoral Hernia , contain
li kewife much ufefu.1 matter. Mr. Home’s Remarks on the Stmcture
of the Tongue, and the effects of operations on it, are both curious
and i-n.ftruc.iive'; as affording better notions with regard to its dif-
eafes, and the means applicable for their relief. This is an organ
which lias always been e deemed as one of the mod irritable in the

body, and operations have been performed on it not without confi¬
derable dread. It appears, however, from Mr. Home’s experiments,
that the tongue may be bruifed, may have portions of it removed by
incifion, and by the more violent mode of ligature, without producing
either exceftive pain, fpafm* or inflammation : on the contrary, he
L led to conclude generally, that the nerves fupplying an organ of
ienfe are not fo liable ro fueh confequences as thole which belong to
oilier parts; that the tongue is lefs irritable than almoft any other
organized pai t of the body ; and that when wounded, or made the
fubjed of an operation, it calls off its Houghs more readily, and
heals Iboner. — M r*. II imps Ilforical Surgery difplays a good deal of
critical acumen, fie examines authorities with freedom, and feels
ho h.elitatiop in di.GVnting from and oppofmg them, as his judgment
bireds : an employment of no mean utility, fince next in importance
to the divulging of new truths is the detection of error, efpecially in
tho-fe whole weight of character gives it currency with the world.

'Pharmaceutic Chemistry and the Materia Mebica have
received fume valuable additions by the publication of the. new Edin-
iurgh ik'o-macoyixia, the Edinburgh Few Difpenfatory , by Dr. Duncan,

jun-.

View of the Progrefs of Medicine .

jiin.j and Dr. Swediaurs Pharmacopoeia Medici Practici Univer -
fails. By the application of the doctrines and language of the new
chemiftry to pharmacy, and by the ufe of the Linnmn terms to de¬
li gnate the articles of the materia ?nedica, a degree of precilion is in¬
troduced into thofe branches of the healing art which they before
greatly wanted. It is here that the benefits of chemiftry, as applied
to medicine, are unqueftionable. The utility of the willow hdrk , as
a fubftitute for the cinchona, formerly pointed out by Mr. Stone,
Mr. James , and Mr. White , has been confirmed by the later expe¬
rience of Mr. Wilkinfon ; and it is to be hoped that a greater degree
of attention will be paid, than has hitherto been done, to this eafily™
procurable but apparently efficacious remedy. It is ftill, however,
a problem to be folved, to what principle, in this and the other fe¬
brifuge barks, are the good effects attributable : not, it would feem,
to the tanning principle, nor to the gallic acid which they contain ;
for other fub'ftances, without poffieffing their virtues, contain thefe in
a much larger proportion. According to the experiments of Mr.
Davy, it appears that the Peruvian bark, which undoubtedly excels
in febrifuge powers all the other remedies of this defcription, con¬
tains but a very inconfiderable proportion of the tanning principle.
Are we, therefore, to adopt the hypothefis of M. Seguin’ on the fub-
jeCt, and confider gelatine as the true febrifuge principle? Certain¬
ly, a priori , every thing is againft fuch a fuppofition, vvhilft the ex¬
periments that have been adduced in fupport of it are very far from
conclufive. — The propofed trials of the new metals in the practice of
phytic, with the few experiments on the fubjeCt already recorded,
are highly delerving attention. It is exceedingly probable that the
materia rncdica will in future be enriched from this fource.

Araongft the moft finking difcoveries of modern times, Galva-
kism defervedly ranks ; no lefs on account of the interefting nature
of its phenomena, than from its applicability to other branches of
natural knowledge. Like all other great difcoveries in Phyfics, it
has not failed to be applied to the philofophy of medicine, and to the
practice of the healing art. By the principles of this new fcience,
the moft important of the animal functions, fenfation and motion,
have been attempted to be explained : while fanguine practitioners
have fought in it, and have even believed they have found, a remedy
for various important derangements of the animal ceconomy.

Since our laft notice of this fubjeCt, no difcovery of importance
with regard to the laws and phenomena of galvanifm nas been
made. From all that has been hitherto done, the relation of gal¬
vanifm to electricity appears to be well eftabliffied, or rather they are
to be confidered as different modifications of one and the fame prin¬
ciple, excited indeed, and put into aCtion, by very different means.
The proper theory, however, of galvanic eleCfrity, or, in other words,
the immediate caufeand manner of its production, are ftill far from
being certainly ascertained. That they are dependent on, and certain¬
ly, in numerous inftances, connected with, chemical changes, appears
at prelent the moft probable fuppofition. The application of galva-'
nifm to phyfiology is, as might have been expeded, flill lefs fatis-
faCtorv. There feem to be very flight, if any, grounds for admitting
with forae the difcovery of a new principle in the ammal (Economy,

View of the Progrejs of Medicine*

by the agency of which fenfation and motion are performed. All
that, in reality, appears to us to be difeovered is, that the exci-
lability and mobility of animal bodies continue much longer than
was before imagined, long indeed after the apparent death of the
fy Item, and that galvanic electricity is the moll ftriking and evident
left of their prefence.

In regard to the medical application of galvanifm, there is nothing
as yet very encouraging. The ftrong faffts adduced by fome in its
favour have been contradicted by others, and we are ftill at a lofs to
aflign it its due ft a ti on in the materia medico. That it is a power¬
ful exciter of the living actions cannot be denied, and upon this
ground only it mild be admitted as a polTible remedy for difeafe *
but the precife cafes to which, in regard to other ftimuli, it is ex-
elufively or preferably adapted, and particularly the extent of its
medicinal powers, have by no means been hitherto afeertained. For
the particulars of its ufe, we refer to the different teflimonies on the
fubjeci which are noticed in the courfe of the prefent volume. We-
may remark, however, that as galvanic electricity differs widely in
point of intenfity from that excited by the common electrical ma^
chine, and as it is capable of aCting in a continued manner, it may
be looked on, in fome degree, in the light of a new agent, and there¬
fore merits a ferious trial by practitioners. It would be well, how¬
ever, that the public were put on their guard again-ft tlje reports of
profeffed galvanizers, or fuch as make a bufinels of its application ;
for nothing precife or accurate can be expected from fuch a fource*
From fuch exaggerated accounts, electricity formerly fuffered ; and
it is perhaps to be attributed to this, that is has at prefent fallen in
point of c ft i mat ion below its merited level. Some have conceived
that the eleCtric principle, whatever it be, conftitutes an effentfal
ingredient in the animal compound; and that difeafes may be
owing to a difproportion of this principle jn different parts, or that
they are the effeCls of a change in the refpeCfive capacities of the dif-
eafed organs for electricity. But every thing of this kind is at pre¬
fent purely hypothetical, and fupported by no bid or direCl experi¬
ment.

Amongft the more mi feel i a neons fubjeCb may be mentioned the
prooofed change of anatomical nomenclature by Dr. Barclay > a
propofal more ingenious than it will probably be fuccefsful. Dr.
Juki ft one appears, to have very fatisfa&o*jly eftabliftied the claim of
his father to the difeovery of the application of the mineral acid va¬
pours for the deftruCtion of contagion ; a difeovery that, however de¬
cried by fome, deferves to rank with the moft uleful of the prelent day.

We humid extend our retrofpeCi to a much greater length, were
we to notice all the interefting communications furnifhed in the pre¬
fent volume of our Review, We /h all terminate our remarks by
recommending to the particular attention of our readers the Medi¬
cal Ethics of Dr. Pereira I ; a work calculated to produce that har¬
mony among the individuals ot the medical profeffion, which it is
do iefs the mtereft of all to promote, than it is gratifying to the belt
feelings of the heart*

INDEX.

t4 BERNETHY, Mr, !f. rem. on gorget,35
Abfcefs in the ear, cafe of, 218
Acetic acid, beft method of prepar. 186
Account of the epidemical cat ar. fever, 250
- — — of native Africans of Sierra Leone fiS
- - of the dij. of min. acid vapours, 140

■ - of improvements in galvantfm, 123

Acids, ill effects of when long ul'ed, 280
Adipocire^experiments on, Ixxii
Africa, on the difeafes of, 448

Air , effects of condenfed, xjii

■ - exter. effects of impure, 475

Aitkin, Mr. D. cafe of wound in fem.art.215
Aidini , M. treatife on galvanifm, 123
Amputation , impropriety of in mortif.244
- — - cafe of, 33

Anatomical nomenclature, treat, on, 300

■ - prepar. method of preferv. Ixvii

Anatomifl' s vade mecum , 407

Ani procidentia, remarks on, 231
Animal electricity, remarks on, xxxiv
Annales de Bln fit, de fFurtzburg.fi , 307
Annals of medicine for 1802, 207
Apoplexy, remarks on, 36
Apology for dif. from the Reviewers, 56
Appeal to the authors of theCrii. Rev. 163
Army, on the medical eftablifh. of, 414
Arfenic, effects of in cancer, 138

■ - medical hiffory of, 187

Artery, compreffion of at the groin, 39
Afcites, cafes of, 307

Aftringent vegetables, experiments on, 203
Atrophia ablactantium, remarks on, 362
Attempt to invefi. Egyptian ophihal.X^b
Aubin , M. Elem. de patholog. exter. 298
Auban,Dr.on thcorig.of the vac.poi.lxxxv

Barclay , Dr. J. New Anat.Nomencla.300
Bard fey. Dr. rem. on influenza, 39
Barlow , Mr. on premature delivery, 36

- Mr. E. cafe of wound in brain, 214

Bark, remarks on in mortification, 265
Bath waters, treatife on, 155
Bathing in fever, remarks on, 432
JBeddoes,Dr.T . rules of the Med Iafti.290
Beeswax, experiments on, lxxi
Belienda hark, account of, 454
Berthollet , Eli-, de .Stat. Chym. 295
Biliary calculi, experiments on, lxxiv
^Bilious difeafes, remarks on, 208
Blacl, Dr. Jof. lectures on chemiftry, 1
Blackburne, Dr. facts on fcarlet fever, 465

Blindnefs, frequency of in Egypt, vi
Blood, on the identity of, cv
Bloodletting in hernias, remarks on, 69

- in yellow fever, rem. on, 41

- - - - utility of in promot.deliv. Ixi

- — topical, remarks on, 262

- „ — . in fever, remarks on, 426

Blue boy, cafe of, xi
Boerhaave , rem. on a propofal by, 26
Borret , Mr. cafe of amputation, 38
Boflocl, Dr. account of myrtle wax, Ixix
Bower fAxA .cafe of intef.dif.by {tool, 213
Brain, connexion of with the heart, 179

- cafe of wounded, 214 ✓

Brown, Dr. W. remarks on fever, 209

Calomel and opium, util, of in inflam, 215
Cancer, util, of arfenic in, 132
Carro , Dr. De, remarks on cow-pock, 38
Car life , Mr. A. method of preferring ana~
tomical preparations, Ixvii
Cartilages loofe in the knee joint, 231
Carrendcffe%, M. onftony concie. lxxxiii
Cataract, remarks on, 67, 220
Chlorofis, remarks on, 439
Cheltenham waters, treatife on, 410
Cheyne , Dr. J. eff. on dif. of children, 361
Chemiftry, lectures on, 1
Chemical theory, rem. on the new, 160

- fatics, treatife on, 295

ChenevixfS/lr.cJhem. exam, of the eye,191
Cinchona, v remarks on, ixxxii
Cold in hernia, remarks on, 71
Cold bathing in fevers, rem. on, 432
Coleman, Mr. E. exp. on transfufion, cviii
Concretions from the lungs, rem.on,lxxxiu
Condenfed air, effects of, x-fii
Confumption, treatife on, 288
Contagion, remarks on, 39, 149, 280
Convulfions, remarkable cafe of, 218
Correfpondenee with reviewers, xliv
Cow-pock, rem. on, 38, 45, 80, xliy, 305

- on the origin of, 42

- - hiftory of* 289

Couching, preference of, 67
Coxe, Dr. T. C. treat, on vaccination, 305
Cranio-gnomic fyftem, account of, xii
Critical reviewers, letter to, 163
Cryffals, on the formation of, xli
Cutaneoustranfpiration, rem. on, xv

Davy, Mr. H. exp. on aftring, v?g. 203
Deafnefs, util, of galvanifm in, 367
B Debating

INDEX.

Debating focieties, remarks on 345
Delivery, premature, remarks on 36
Dewar, Mr. H. obf. on diar. & c. 168
Digitalis, remarks on 272
Difeafes of Egypt, remarks on 1
Diflocations, remarks on 227
Propfy, eafes of'307

«— - treatife on 366

Duncan , Dr. A. Annals, for 1802 207

•— — - *— ■ • Edin. new difpcnfa, 253

Dyfentery, treatife on 64, 168

— - remarks on viii

Ear, cafe of abfcefs in 218
Edinburgh new pharmacopoeia 58

- - - - difpenfatory 253

Egypt, medical hiffory of i, 169
- — — ■ — on the difeafes of xlviii
Electric organs of fifhes, account of xci
Electricity, eff. of in chem. phenom. 162

- - — theory of xciv

Elcrn. of phyfiology 178

de pathologic exierne 298
......... of galvanifm 364

Empyema, cafe of 232
EJfay on the plague 20

. on infuen%a 55

. . de Jlatique chymique 295

. . on difeafes of children 361

Excitability, remarks on xxx
Exomphalos, new trufs for 75
Exp. on the origin of cow-pox 42
...... on the cortex falic. latifol. 164

Expectant medicine, treatife on 340
Extra-uterine foetus, cafe of 220
Eye, galvanic exp. on xl

. chemical examination of 191

...... treatife on the inflammation of 397

Facts in favour of cow- pock 80

...... and obfervat ions on fcarlet fever 465

Falconer , Dr. W. treatife on plague 20

. account of influenza 251

Febrifuge principle, remarks on Ixxxii
Femoral hernia, remarks on 72

. artery, wound of 215

Femur, cafe of diflocated 292
Fever, 5th differtation on 24

. . rem. on the nat. prog, of 209

. obfervations on 415

Fifth differtation on fever 24
Filhes, on the electric organs of xci
Fixed alkali contained in minerals xlii
Fluids, effects of galvanifm on xvii
Fogo , Mr. A. obf. on the aqtients, &C.439
Foetus, cafe of extra-uterine, 220
Fordyce, Dr. G. differtation on fever 24
Ford, Dr. J . three letters, &c. 293
Fractures of the ikull, remarks on 66
Freezing mixtures, table of 261
F-ungushaematodeSj account of 76

Fungi, poifoneus effects of xiii

Gall , Dr.'cranio-gnomic fyflem of xit
Galvanifm, remarks on xvii, vii, xi, 36

. . treatife on 123, 364

Gangrene, cafes of 137
General inflammation, obfervations on 25
Geoffrey, M. on elect, org. of fifhes xci
Geftation, effects of in fever 432
Gibbes , Dr. G. S. treat, on Bath wat. 155
Giraud , M. on preferv. of vac. mat. 35
Goat- pock, fubftitute for vaccine Izviii
Goodfir, Mr. J. cafe of extra-uter. foetus 220
Gorget, remarks on 35'

Grange, M. Bouillon le, on the truffle Ixxvii
Grave, M. la, obferva. on galvanifm viii
Greafe , probable fource of cow-pox 43
Gregory, Dr. J. memorial, &c. 343
Gripe, account of la 36
Gunfhot wound, cafe of 215
Gutta ferena, cafe of xc

Haemorrhagic difpofit. account of Ivii
Hmmorrhcea petechialis, remarks on 218
Harnefs , Dr, J. rena. on yellow fever 4!'
Harrifon, Dr. E. on the rot in fheep xxi
Heart and brain, recip. influence of 179
Heat, remarks on 4, 101
Herniae, obfervations on 64, 74

* . treatife on 237

Hey, Mr. W. practical obf. in furgery 66
Herdman , Dr. J. treat, on influenza 312
Hiccup, cafe of 214
Hijlorical furgery , treatife on 242
Home, Mr. E. onftruct. of the tongue 195
Hooper, Dr. R. anat. vade mecum 407
Howard, Mr. E. fupplement, &rc. 405
Humours of the eye, chem. exam, of 191
Hunnius , Dr. treatife on dyfentery 64
Hunt, Mr. J. hiftorical furgery 242
Hutchins , Mr. remarks on galvanifm 36
Hyfteria, occurrence of in fever 32
Hydrophobia, util, of galvanifm in xc

Iceland mofs, treatife on 407
Identity of the blood, remarks on cv
Illuftration of injuries, &c. 292
Infection, remarks on 22
Inflammation, general remarks on 25
Influenza, treatife on, 250, 312

. remarks on 39

Inquiry into the vaccine poifon 394
Inteftine difcharged by ftool 213
Inflitution, report of vaccine 45
Irregular fever, remarks on 27
Irritability, remarks on xxx
JackJ'on , Dr. R. rem. on the army 414
Jamefon , Dr. T. on Chelten. waters 410
Johnjlone , Dr. J. acc. of difcov. &c. 140
Journal of furgery , by Leder 132

Kiao.f

INDEX.

KinO, gum, experiments on Ixxx
Knee joint, on derangemdnt.of 22 9
Knight, Mr. on defcent of fap 335

Laanda difeafe, account of 453
Labour pains, remarks on lxi
Lagrave, M. galvanic experiments xi
Lamarck , M. Obfervations on meteor, xxiv
Latent heat, remarks on 101
Lavoijter’ s theory , remarks on 116, 160
Leblanc , M. on form, of cryflals xli
Lectures on ckemijiry 1

. . account of medical vi, xliii

Legallois, M. on identity of the blood cv

Leprofy, account of ii

Lettfom , Dr. J. C. apology, &c. 56

. . . appeal, &c. 163

Lichen iflandicus, treatife on 407
Light, infiuenc# of on vegetables 103
Loder, journal of furgery 132
Loy , Dr. J. G. on the orig. of cow-pox 42
London practice of midwifery 404
Lungs, on concretions of Ixxxiii
Lulus naturze, curious xii
Lycoperdon tuber, examination of Ixxvii

Magnet ifm, on chera. agency of cvi
Malt fpirits, correction of Ixvii
Mammae, cafes of difeafed, 76, 235
Man, rank of among animals xi
Marcet , Dr. on preferv. of vac. mat. 38
Medecine expectant e, 340
Medicina nautica , vol. 3, 278
Medical ethics , treatife on 221
Medical lectures, account of xliii

. . focieties, remarks on 345

Memorial . Dr. Gregory ’s 343
Meteorology, remarks on xxiv
Mercury in fever, remarks on 437
Milne, Mr. J. account of difeafes, Src.490
Mineral acids, difcovery of 140
Mirbel, traite de i’anat. vegetales 317
Monnot, M. fur la cataracte 220
Mojjman , Dr. remarks on apop. 36
Monro, Dr. A. jun, treat, on hernia 237
Moxa, efF. of in aphonia 220
Mortification, remarks on 242, 265
Moreau , -hid. nat. de la femme 251
Mufhroom, poifonous effects of xiii
Myrica cerifera, account of lxix
Myrtle wax, account of lxix

Needle, improved couching 69
Liable, Mr. E. treatife on opbthal. 397
Nomenclature, treatife on anatomical 300
Holt, Dr. J. ireatife on influenza 251

Obfervations ondiar. and dyfentery 168'

. . on crural hernia 237

. . . . on thsconflitu tion of women 250

Obfervations on lichen iflandicus 407

. . . on the opin. of ant , Scmod .438

Oil, ufeful in plague li

Opacity of the capfule, remarks on 220

Ophthal. account of in Egypt vi, xlviii

. . treatife on 145, 397

Opium and calomel, eff. of in inf. 215
......... in fever, remarks on 281

. . in ophthalmia 28S

Otto, M. on an h senior, difpof. 1 vii
Oxygen, remarks on 297
P.

Palfy, effect of galvanifm in 367
Palladium, account of 336
Pains of labour, remarks on lxi
Pathology, treatife on external 298
Peart , Dr. E. treat, on confumption 283
Pear f on. Dr. G. lect. on vac. xix
Percival , Dr. T. medical ethics 221
Pharmacop. medici pract. 484
Philofophical tr an factions, 1803, p. 1. 191

. . . . . . p.2. 325

Pharn^.cop. Edinburgh nov. 58
Phyfiology, treatife on 17 8
Phthifis pulmonalis, cafe of 273, 283
Plague, etfay on 20

. . not contagious ii

. . remarks on li

... . prevention of by vac. inoc. Ixxxy

plain difcourfe on influenza 312
...... remarks on fever 409

Plants, on anatomy of 317
Pop, M. reflections on dropfy 366
Power , Mr. G. treat, on ophthal. 145
Practical obfervations in furgery 66
.......... on vaccination 305

Premature delivery, remarks on 36
Prize queftion in iurgery xcvi
Procidentia ani, remarks on 231
Proufl , M. oh fugar of raifin«iv
Purgatives, ufe of in hernia 70
Pus in vagina, cafe of 235
R.

Radical vinegar, method of preparing 186
Rain, Dr. Hutton’s theory of 114
Raifin, on the fugar of iv
Reece , Mr. R. treat, on lichen iflan. 407
Reflections on dropfy 366
Remarks on the army eftahlifhment 414
Rhodes, Mr. N.H.rem. on cow-pock xltv
Richer and , M. treat, on phyfiology 178
Richter , M. cafes of gangrene 137
Ring , Mr. J. hift. of vaccine inoc. 289
Ritter , M. on galvanifm vii
Rubifon's life of Dr. Black 4

. obfervations on light 103

Roebuck, Mr. on condenfed air xiii
Ror.deletia Africans, account of 454
Rot in iheep, remarks on xxi
Royal infirm, of Edinburgh, rem. on 343
Rules of medical injiitut t 290

3 R 2

JluJ&g

INDEX.

]Ruj% , Dr. on Wood letting in pregnan. Ixi
...... on the yellow fever xcvii

Rupture, treatife on 291

Sacco , Dr. remarks on vaccination vi
Salix latifolia, treatife on 164
Sap, experiments on the defpent of 325
Saw, improved, for cranium 67
Sawrey, Mr. S. treat, on lues ven. 394,
Scarlet fever, treatife on 465
Scrotal hernia, lingular fpecies of 74
Sea ficknefs, remarks on 287
Second irediife on Bath • waters , 155 1
Sects j medical, account of 349
Seguin , M. rem. on febrifuge prin. lxxxii
Sheep, on the rot in xxi
Skeriuen, Dr, J. on bilious diforders 208
Sierra Leone, on difeafes of 448
Skin, extraordinary affection of xii
Societies, remarks on debating 345
Spermaceti, remarks on xxii
Spirits, malt, correction of Ixvii
Spaniard, extraordinary inftance of Ixvi
Spectacle glaffes, improvement of cvii
Strangulated hernia, remarks on 69
Strangulation, cafe of 232
Siring ham. Dr. J. S- rem. on gon. vii
Some account of difeafes, &c. 490
Specific charac. of fever, fem. on. 479
Supplement to treatife on ven . dif. 405
Sugar of raifin, remarks on iv
Sublimate, ill effects of in gon. vii
Surgery, cafe of 66
Swathing, utility of in dyfentery 173
Svjediaur , M. pharmaoop. 484

Table of thermometers 259
....... of freezing mixtures 261

Tanning, obfervations on 203
Thermometers, difference of 259
Thigh, diflocation of 292
Thomanis’ annals 307
Thornton, Dr. J. facts, &c.on cow- pock 80
Three letters on medical fubjects 243
Timbrell, Mr. W. H. treat pe on rup. 291
Tinea, African mode of treatment 464

. . remarks on 309

Tobacco, effects of in hernia 71
Tongue, on the ftructure of 195
Topical bleeding, remarks on 262
Traite de l’anat. veg. 317 ^

Tranfpiration, remarks on xv
Transfufion of blood in a horfe cviii

Treatife on cow-pox 289

. on ophthalmia 397

. . on Cheltenham waters 410

Trees, on defeent of fap in 325
Tr emery, M. theory of electricity* iv
Trephine, fubftitute for 67
Trifmus, cafes of 138
Trotter , Dr. T. medicina naut. 278
Troujfet , M. ontranfpir. xv
Truffle, chem. exam, of lxxvii
Trufs, new, for exomph. 75
True , Mr. illfiftration, &c. 292
Tumour of the neck, cafe of 232

Vaccine inoc. fecur. againft plague Ixxxv
Vaccine inftitution, report of 45

. . difeafe, remarks on 38, 305

. . . origin of vi

Vac. mat. mode of preferving 35, 38
Vauquelin, M. exam, of gum kino lxxx
Vagina, collection of pus in 235
Vajjali-Eandi on galvanifm ix
Vegetable anat. treatife on 317
Vegetation, remarks on 103
Venereal poifon, treatife on 394
Vinegar, radical, on preparation of 186
Vitality, remarks on xl
Vitei , M. tnedecine expect. 340
Umbilical hernia, imp. trufs for 75

Waller, Dr. S. on dif. of women 250

Warmth, util, ofindyfent. 173

Wax, experiments on Ixix

Ward , Mr. cafe of fwelling 41

Weather, remarks on xxiv

White , Dr. death of v

Wilfon , Sir R. on dif. of Egypt i

Willow bark, treatife on 164

Willmfon , Mr. G. tr. on wii. hark 164

. Mr. C. H.elem-of galvan.364

Wittman , Dr. W. on dif. of Egypt xl vi xi
Winterbotfom , Dr. T. account of Siena
Leone, 448

Wollaflon , Dr. imp. of fpectacles cvii
Wood , Dr. j. plain rem. 409
Women* on conftit. of 250

Yaws, account, of 456
Yeats, Dr. G, on opium and cal. 215
Yellpw fever, remarks on 41
. . not contagious xcvii

Zanetti , M. on animal fluids xvii.

FINIS. ~

"■— V ' ' •

Kftig&taod C<pn\jKon? Frimer^ Middle Street, Cloth Fair.

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