be said to occur in these tubes, for according to Reisseisen they contain only transverse muscular fibres, whereas longitudinal and transverse muscles are both necessary to produce peristaltic motions by their combined agency. The condition of the bronchial mucous membrane is very different in the acute and chronic forms of bronchial inflammation, for in the former case the membrane is dry and harsh, from the diminution of its secretion, while in the latter the tubes are filled with an excessive muco-purulent secretion. Hence it is necessary to employ very different kinds of remedies in these two cases, our object in the first being to relax and moisten the membrane, and in the second we have a double object-viz., to remove the superabundant secretion, and to alter and improve the condition of the secreting surface. Dr. Easton would therefore divide the so-called expectorants into relaxing broncho-muco-alterants, as tartar emetic in small doses, ipecacuan in small doses, henbane, hemlock, aconite, hydrocyanic acid, &c., to be used in the acute cases; and stimulating broncho-mucoalterants, as squill, leek, onion, garlic, benzoin, styrax, copaiba, senega, sesquicarbonate of ammonia, &c., in the chronic cases, and as coughing is necessary for the removal of excessive muco-purulent secretion, and as this act is a muscular one, it should be excited by a class of medicines which might be called pneumo-musculo-excitants, such as the stimulating preparations of ammonia, alcohol, nux vomica, iron, cinchona, together with general hygienic measures, embrocations, sponging and friction, and the inhalation of stimulating vapours. Dr. LEISHMAN continues his critical and historical essay on the "Mechanism of Parturition," taking Naegele's work as the basis of his remarks, and illustrating his views by diagrams. In reference to the practice of supporting the perinæum during labour to prevent laceration, Dr. Leishman considers that this proceeding is calculated to produce the very result which it is intended to avert. An anonymous article on the "Army Medical Department," which evidently emanates from some one who is well acquainted with the subject, will well repay perusal. It gives a general view of the advantages and disadvantages attached to this department of the medical profession, and endeavours to explain the reasons for the unwillingness displayed by many to enter the service. While admitting that the army medical officers have some grievances to complain of, the writer considers that the complaints are often exaggerated, and that the attempt made to dissuade young medical men from joining the medical department of the army must be attended only with bad results. The writer asks why the discontented medical officers do not resign their own appointments, if they are dissatisfied, instead of remaining in the service and endeavouring to lower its position by vilifying the character of those who are now joining it, and by calling them "young snobs," "sweepings of the schools" and so forth. The writer shows, however, that service in India is very disadvantageous to staff or regimental assistant-surgeons, although the assistant-surgeons of cavalry and artillery are comparatively well-paid. Dr. T. MCCALL ANDERSON relates some "Cases Illus trative of Diseases of the Ear," the present series being cases of diseases of the ceruminous glands. Dr. Anderson carefully dscribes the method of syringing the ear for removing accumulation of wax in the external meatus. Mr. CHARLES D. DOIG contributes some "Notes on Fractures," and after giving some statistics on these accidents in general, he relates twelve cases of special fractures which have fallen under his own notice. Mr. W. J. MACLOSKY, of Greenock, gives a short paper on the "Treatment of Anchylosis of the Elbow-joint," illustrated by two cases in both of which the motion of the limb was in a great measure restored by traction performed under the use of chloroform. The first case had been the result of an accident, the second was caused by strumous disease of the joint.

Altogether, the present number of the 'Glasgow Medical Journal' fully maintains the character of this very meritorious periodical,

REVIEW OF BOOKS.

Mentone in its Medical Aspect: Being Letters Addressed to a Medical Friend. By James Lewis Siordet, M.B., Lond., M.R.C.P.L., London. Churchill and Sons. pp. 111. 1863.

The little town of Mentone, the capital of the former kingdom of Monaco, but now included in the French dominions, has lately become pretty extensively known to our countrymen by the writings of several medical practitioners who have resorted to the climate for the benefit of their own health, and have made known the results of their experience to others. Dr. Siordet belongs to this category, and the little work before us is the record of his own observations made during a residence at Mentone. The town is situated on the shores of the Mediterranean, and its principal street is part of the famous Cornice road which leads along the sea-coast from Nice to Genoa; it is open to the south, but is protected from the north winds by a portion of the maritime Alps, and hence the climate is very mild, even in winter, and is well-suited to persons suffering from pulmonary complaints. In proof of the beauty of the climate, Dr. Siordet qnotes a meteorological report, made at Mentone for ten years, by which it appears that out of the 3653 days, only 808 were rainy, and in 2140 days the sun shone in a cloudless sky. Dr. Siordet made observations during the winters of 1861-62, and 1862-63, and arrived at analogous results.

Pulmonary consumption is the disease for which the climate of Mentone appears peculiarly well adapted, but the disease is most amenable to treatment in its first stage: scrofula, chronic bronchitis, and asthma, are also relieved by a residence in this place. Dr. Siordet cautions the invalid not to leave England until the end of September, or the beginning of October, as the temperature in the summer is very high; and to leave Mentone about the beginning of June. It is also better to break the journey, both going and coming, by halting at some intermediate places, so as to become acclimatized, and to avoid the bad effects of sudden changes of temperature.

Dr. Siordet's book will be found useful to that increasing class of invalids, who resort to Mentone for the improvement of their health. A Catalogue of Surgical Instruments, Apparatus, Appliances, &c. Manufactured and sold by John Weiss and Son. 1863. Independently of the fact of its emanating from the very respectable firm so long known in connexion with the manufacture of surgical instruments, this volume has several merits which entitle it to the notice of the Profession. It consists of several parts,first, an illustrated list containing fifty-three plates, with explanatory letter press, and secondly, a classified list, in which the whole of the instruments are arranged in the order in which they are required for the various operations; thirdly, a list of sets or series of instruments and appliances, including those required for the different government services and public companies; and lastly, lists of other appliances, utensils, &c., including instruments used in veterinary practice and cutlery. The plates form a really interesting series of all the mechanical aids employed by physicians and surgeons in the treatment of disease, and they are so well executed as to convey an accurate idea of their construction and uses, which are further explained by the accompanying text. The volume is very well got up, and, from the entire absence of price-lists, it has more the appearance of a scientific work than a trade catalogue. Indeed, in a scientific point of view, as we have before remarked, it has very considerable value.

On the Influence of Weather upon Disease and Mortality. By R. E Scoresby-Jackson, M.D., F.R.S.E. From the Transactions of the. Royal Society of Edinburgh. Edinburgh, Neill and Company, pp. 54, 1863.

has been conducted by Dr. Scoresby-Jackson with especial reference The very important inquiry which forms the subject of this paper to the weather in Scotland, and his researches are illustrated by a map showing the geographical features of that country, and the stations of the Meteorological Society; together with a series of most elaborate tables proving the connexion existing between the state of the weather and the prevalence of disease and mortality. The difficulties of the investigation are fully set forth by the author, but his present very meritorious contribution is calculated in some measure to surmount them. It is evident that no one person can adequately grasp so wide a subject, which requires the independent labours of obscurity; but nevertheless, Dr. Scoresby-Jackson's paper will numerous observers, and from its very nature is involved in great stimulate the zeal of other observers and we may hope at no very distant period to obtain some reliable data on which to ground some consistent theory of medical meteorology. We warmly recommend Dr. Scoresby-Jackson's paper to the notice of the Profession.

Statistical Tables of the Patients under Treatment in the Wards of
the Loudon Hospital during 1862. By Morell Mackenzie, M.D.,
Lond., Registrar to the Hospital. London, Fisher, 1863.
As the title implies, this publication consists of nothing more

than a series of tables showing the statistical details connected with the patients received into the Hospital, such as the number of admissions, of recoveries, and of deaths; the principal operations performed, and their results; the cases of accident, and a summary of the accidents during the last twenty-one years &c. The labour involved in this work is enormous, but the practice of keeping such a record in our great hospitals cannot be too highly commended, because statistics so obtained must be hereafter of incalculable benefit by establishing models for all similar institutions throughout the world Dr. Morell Mackenzie has executed his very difficult task with great ability.

Special Therapeutics: an Investigation into the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Diseases by the Application of Water, the Hot-Air Bath, and Inhalation. By J. C. Lory Marsh, M.D., M.R.C.P.L. Pp. 132. London: J. M. Davies. 1863.

The object of Dr. Lory Marsh in writing this book is not very apparent. He by no means professes to be a believer in the absurdities grouped together under the name of Hydropathy, nor does he assert that either the hot air bath, or inhalation is a cure for all diseases. As far as we can understand the book, Dr. Marsh wishes the profession to believe that the application of water to the skin in various ways, either hot or cold, or alternately hot and cold, the application of the hot-air bath, and the inhalation either of fresh air or of air mixed with various vapours or gases, are all, under suitable conditions, available and useful measures in the treatment of disease. All this we admit, but we knew it before, and we cannot say that after reading Dr. Marsh's cases and observations we have added anything to the amount of information which we already possessed on these matters, or that he has placed them before us in any new light. In public and private practice we are all in the habit of prescribing hot and cold bathing in appropriate cases; in all our hospitals, baths are fitted up as a part of the therapeutic appliances of each establishment; the efficacy of the hot air bath as a sudorific is universally admitted; the inhalation of fresh air is indubitably a hygienic agency of the first importance; and medicated inhalations have proved useful in a certain limited number of cases.

This summary, we think, fairly comprises the material principles laid down by Dr. Marsh, and when we look over his list of illustrative cases, they tell us very little more We have some cases of neuralgia said to be cured by two applications of the hot air bath, but we are not told that this bath is a cure for the disease; a case of sciatica is said to be cured by the same application, but then inunction of belladonna and olive oil was superadded; a severe case of eczema is reported as cured by the inhalation of fresh air, but cod-liver oil and arsenic were also employed in the treatment: acute rheumatism is said to have been treated successfully with the wet blanket and oil silk covering, but opium and bicarbonate of potash were given at the same time; and so on with many more cases.

But while making these reservations in our approval of Dr. Marsh's book, we have no hesitation in recommending it as a thoughtful collection of observations and cases bearing upon the subjects in the title-page, and we should express a stronger degree of approbation if we thought that the application of water and of fresh air, either hot or cold, or of medicated inhalations, was unduly neglected by the Profession. The public, however, may not yet sufficiently appreciate these measures as therapeutic agents, and they may, perhaps, need to be reminded of their undoubted efficacy and utility.

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.

ON THE DESTRUCTION OF VERMIN BY THE USE OF CHLOROFORM.

To the Editor of the Medical Circular.

SIR,-I know of no greater sources of annoyance and disgust in the examination of hospital patients, than having in the course of that examination to come into close proximity with the vermin, by which their persons, especially their heads, are sometimes infested, and the sometimes carrying away of pediculi from them to the sick rooms of our wealthy patients, even though the most scrupulous attention be paid on our part to avoid such an occurrence. In some recent experiments upon the lower animals, which I have been prosecuting in relation to the use of chloroform in ovariotomy, I found that all the vermin with which those animals were covered speedily died from the anaesthetic which I employed, and which I administered in the following manner :-a chamber, little larger than the size of the animal upon which the operation was to be performed, and containing merely a sufficiency of air for the maintenance of the respiratory functions, having been thoroughly impregnated with the anaesthetic, had placed in it the subject of experiment, which was allowed to remain therein till it was brought completely under the influence of the soporising agent; when removed to the operating table all the vermin with which it was

covered, were found dead and fell readily from its coat upon the cloth of the table.

It occurred to me, that we might most advantageously use this agent in the destruction and removal of the vermin found upon our hospital patients; while the methods of use are so very many and so very easy of application, that I would leave it to the ingenuity of the physician or surgeon to devise the manner, which may seem to him the best. I am, &c., G. DE GORREQUER GRIFFITH, M.R.C.S. Eng., &c.

DOUBLE HOUR-GLASS CONTRACTION OF THE

UTERUS.

To the Editor of the Medical Circular.

SIR,-I am not aware that a case presenting this peculiarity is mentioned by any author on Obstetrics," and therefore, wish briefly to bring the facts of this case before the Profession, through the medium of your valuable publication.

On Thursday, September 17th, I was called to assist a brother practitioner in a case of retained placenta from hour-glass contrac tion. On my arrival at the house, I ascertained that the patient had been delivered of a living child, with the forceps, about three hours before, hæmorrhage having ensued, and on an attempt being made to remove the placenta that the funis bad given way at the hausted state, I resolved at once to remove the placenta, if possi root. Finding the patient in a depressed, though not very ex ble. Accordingly, I introduced my hand about half way into the uterus, where I found a strong constriction, and this being passed, I found to my consternation that the placenta was not to be felt. After carefully exploring with my hand the walls of the uterus, I discovered another constriction directed backwards towards the spine.

Through this constriction I insinuated first one finger, and finally my hand, and there found the placenta, which, after some considerable trouble I was enabled to withdraw into the middle comparthaving had my hand and arm in the uterus nearly an hour. Up to ment, but experienced great difficulty in extracting it entirely, this time (Sept. 29), the patient has gone on well, having been free from any further complication. I am, &c., 158 Dover road, S.E., CHARLES LAITON ALEXANDER. Sept. 29, 1863.

DAVENPORT-M'INTYRE--On the 3rd inst., at All Saints, Paddington, J. Davenport, M.D., late of the Bengal Medical Service, to Mary Sarah, daughter of the late W. M'Intyre, M. D., of Harley street. HARLAND ELLIOTT.-On the 30th ult., at Towcester, H. Harland, M.D., of Mayfield, Sussex, to Sarah Frances Julia, daughter of the late W. G. Elliott, Esq., of Blisworth.

MAY-HOLLINGSWORTH.-On the 29th ult., at Edgbaston, H. May, M.R.C.S.E., of Nechell's park road, Birmingham, to Sarah Bennett, daughter of J. Hollingsworth, Esq., of Edgbaston.

DEATHS.

CHAWNER. On the 1st inst., at Lincoln, D. Chawner, M.D., Consulting Physician to the Lincoln County Hospital.

CROOKS. On the 26th ult., at East Harling, Norfolk, H. Crooks,
L.S.A., aged 62.

GILBERT. On the 5th inst., at Upper Phillimore place, Kensington,
Henry Gilbert, M. R.C.S. E., aged 56.
MACDONALD.- On the 16th ult., at Kilbeggin, Co. Westmeath, J. J.
Macdonald, L. K. Q.C.P.I.
SAYER. On the 28th ult., W. Sayer, M.D., of Great Homer street,
Liverpool, aged 32.

examination :-Charles Edward Covey, St. Bartholomew's Hospital. [By the accidental omission of the heading last week it appeared that the sixty gentlemen who passed their examination in Arts had been passed by the College of Physicians. The words APOTHECARIES' HALL should have preceded the words PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION IN ARTS].

UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM.-The following candidates have passed the Medical Registration Examination :-Andrew Aitchison, John Pitney Aston, Albert H. Baines, Wilmer Chorley, H. A. Crosthwaite, W. S. Davison, R. E. Deane, W. Dodds, W. Easby, J. H. Gornall, James A. Hall, F. S. Higgs, William Kipling, W. H. Middleton, R. C. Newton, Robert Ostlere, J. S. Parkinson, E. A. Phillips, Peter Ryder, John Taylor, G. E. W. Turner, Robert Wilkinson, C. W. Wood, W. Worthington.-F. F. Wabrond, J Dixon Hepple, Examiners.

LIVERPOOL ROYAL INFIRMARY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE-LIST OF PRIZE MEN, OCT. 1, 1863.-The Introductory Address was delivered by Mr. Batty. Distribution of Prizes:-Surgery-Medal, J. P. Irvine; Certificate, J. C. Rosseloty.-Medicine-Certificate, R. H. D. Johnson, J. C. Rosseloty.-Anatomy, &c., senior classMedal, J. P. Irvine; Certificate, W. H. Gornall.-Anatomy, &c., junior class-Medal, W. H. Burgoyne.-Chemistry-Medal, H. Sewell; Certificate, H. M. Steele. Special Examination-Book, H. G. Samuels; Certificate, R. Leigh.-Midwifery-Medal, J. P. Irvine ; Certificate, J. Houghton.-Materia Medica--Medal, J. P. Irvine ; Certificate, F. Long-Medical Jurisprudence-Book, J. P. Irvine; Certificate, G. Griffith.-Botany-Certificate, R. Leigh.-Ophthalmic Medicine, &c.-Medal, J. P. Irvine.-Practical Chemistry--Medal, R. A. Morell; Certificate, R. Hughes.-Pathology- Medal, G. Griffith; J. Houghton.

PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN.-The sessional prizes, with the Herbaria and Pereira Medals, and Jacob Bell Scholarships, were distributed at a meeting held at the Society's House, on Wednesday evening, the 7th inst.; Mr. Hills, Vice-President, in the chair. Chemistry and Pharmacy-Medal, Michael Carteighe; Certificate of Honour, Charles Umney.-Botany and Materia Medica -Meda 1, Michael Carteighe; Certificate of Honour, John Watts; Certificate of Honour, Charles Umney; Certificate of Merit, Jonathan Phillips.-Practical Chemistry-Medal, Charles Umney; Certificate of Honour, Henry A. Peele; Certificate of Merit, John Bourdas-Pereira Medal-Michael Carteighe.-Herbaria-Silver Medal, Thomas Harrison; Bronze Medal, Edward M. Holmes; Certificate of Honour, Henry Medd.-Jacob Bell Scholarships, value 301. per annum, with free laboratory instruction-John Watts, Frederick E. Pasmore. Mr. Hills presented to the Society a bust of the late Jacob Bell, by J. Butler, which was recently exhibited at the Royal Academy.

SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF INFANTICIDE.-A meeting of the members of this society was held on Thursday at the offices, 16 Craven street, Strand, for the purpose of considering the best means to be adopted to suppress the evil in connection with which the society had been established. Mr. J. O'Neill, who occupied the chair, commenced the proceedings by reading a paper having reference to the present state of the law as regarded child-murder. He contended that an application should be made to Parliament for an addition to a clause in the act relating to capital punishment, which would enable juries to return verdicts of guilty, with extenuating circumstances, in all cases where a mother had killed her child in or before the agonies of unaided parturition could have subsided. That system was adopted in France and worked well. The case to be dealt with was one of temporary insanity, and as in such cases culprits were respited from the penalty of an ordinary murder, so he thought should that act of mercy be conceded to females under the circumstances he had indicated. He argued, also, that the recommendations to mercy under the present system were uncertain in their results, and the frequency of acquittals, originating in humanity, encouraged crime. The truth of that opinion was made more manifest every day, and therefore it was he made the present proposal. Mr. G. Brooke considered that one. of the main causes of the present prevalence of infanticide was the poor-law system. The poor girls who became unfortunate, instead of finding a shelter in the workhouses and receiving counsel and encouragement, were driven from them, or, if admitted, treated as criminals and outcasts. He trusted this fact would not be lost sight of by the society. Papers were then read by Mr. A. H. Safford, Mr. Fleming, and Mr. Duncan, the secretary, of which the main features were the establishment of asylums, under wellorganised management, for the reception of females in a state of pregnancy, for whom on their recovery situations should be provided, the children being kept and educated in the asylum, both father and mother being compelled to contribute to their support. They also recommended an alteration in the present bastardy law, compelling the father of a putative child to pay a larger sum for its maintenance than that now demanded by the present law. PREVENTION OF INFANTICIDE.-On Monday week a public meet

ing on this subject was held at the Royal Oak Tavern, Spencer street, Goswell road. The meeting was convened by an association formed some eighteen months ago, having for its object the devising of some means for the arresting of this crime, which has of late become so lamentably prevalent. The meeting was presided over by the Rev. Dr. Worthington, who highly commended the object in view to the consideration of the public. A resolution was adopted, to the effect that the meeting regarded the many circumstances connected with the administration of the Poor-law as tending to increase infanticide, and that measures should be adopted for having the same remedied.

ST. THOMAS'S HOSPITAL.-The question of the removal of St. Thomas's Hospital was again brought under the consideration of the Bermondsey Vestry at a meeting held at the parochial offices, Russell street, Bermondsey, on Monday week. A letter was read from Mr. Rendle, chairman of the committee of parishes, forwarding a copy of a resolution stating, "the committee recommend to the three parishes specially entitled to appear in the Court of Chancery in the matter the appointment of one solicitor, who shall act for all the parishes represented on the committee, in opposing the application for the approval by the court of Stangate as a site for the hospital, and respectfully recommending Mr. Sturmy to be so committee of parishes." Mr. Legg (the representative of the vestry appointed to conduct the proceedings under the direction of such at the Metropolitan Board of Works), moved a resolution to the effect that the committee of parishes should be informed that the vestry of Bermondsey were willing to concert with them in opposing independent action in the Court of Chancery, which was agreed to. the Stangate site; but that they considered it desirable to take Mr. Collins said that if they intended to appear independently in the Court of Chancery they ought to lay some proposal before the court, and he moved that advertisements should be issued for a site or sites in or as near Southwark as possible. This also was agreed to.

SCARLET FEVER AT EASTBOURNE.-During the past week or two quite a panic has been caused among the fashionable residents at fever in that town, and they have been taking their departure from Eastbourne, in consequence of the alarming prevalence of scarlet it in great numbers, much to the dismay of the lodging-house keepers. A number of deaths have already taken place from this epidemic, and among those who have fallen victims to it are two sons of Mr. R. Hanbury, M.P. for Middlesex, whose family reside here. Mrs. Hanbury also died on Sunday week, although not from the prevailing malady, and much sympathy is expressed for Mr. Hanbury under this severe bereavement. Eastbourne has hitherto been considered the most healthy of all the watering-places, in consequence of the Registrar-General's returns showing a lower rate of mortality there than almost anywhere else. WANTED-PURE WATER. - We are informed by the highest chemical authorities, that pure water so rapidly acts upon lead, that in a very short space of time it becomes impregnated with this metal in a soluble form. Nor are we to escape by the comforting assurance that the water is impure. Water that contains carbonic acid (and what water does not in a greater or less degree ?) equally appropriates to itself a portion of the metallic medium through which it passes; these are facts from which we have no appeal. It is true that water may contain certain constituents that will act on the lead in a manner more favourable to a hygienic state of things; but do we take the trouble to ascertain if such a quality exists in our water. We think not. The result is, therefore, that in the case of all new lead pipes, colic, next to poisoning, is the result upon all who use it; and in all cases, unless specially protected, poison, in the form of salts of lead, is administered, whether in homoeopathic doses or after the more liberal allopathic system, and a deleterious effect is produced on the system and health of all who partake of the liquid. The effect of sulphuric acid as a corrective, in the exceptional cases of which we have already spoken, is caused by the internal surface of the lead being changed from the metallic state into a sulphide of the metal which is insoluble in water. This reaction may be artificially produced by a simple yet highly scientific process, the discovery of Dr. Schwarz, of Breslau. This savant proposes the passing through lead pipes of a solution of sulphide of potassium, at a temperature of 212 degrees, which changes the metallic lead into a sulphide of lead, and, thus transmuted, the water passing through it is perfectly free from the risk of contamination by any poisonous salt from the lead. It remains for the public themselves to decide from our statement of facts, whether or not they will continue to tolerate even the skeleton of an evil that may be so easily exorcised.- Building News.'

SANITARY PRECAUTIONS.-There are, no doubt, many benevolent persons to whom the social difficulties of the poor are matters of deep concern, but who do not always see the way to relieve them. It is a happy solution of the problem when the material interests of the benefactor are benefited by the advantages he procures for others. A pleasing instance of this nature is offered at present in Paris, where the humbler classes of workmen and artisans had been greatly inconvenienced by the construction of new and splendid streets, to

PARISIAN MEDICAL NEWS.

MEDICAL CORRESPONDENCE.

ON INSTRUMENTS OF SIMPLE CONSTRUCTION CALCULATED TO FACILITATE LABOUR.-The perusal of Art. 6492 of the JOURNAL OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE AND SURGERY, entitled Reduction of the Size of the Head of the Foetus, etc., together with a careful study of the numerous cases of tedious labour recorded in that publication (a), emboldens me to forward a summary description of instruments of very simple construction, which, in the course of many years practice, have enabled me to deal victoriously with the most complicated cases of midwifery.

My instruments are all made of stout iron wire, are constructed by the village blacksmith, and their entire cost does not exceed four shillings. They consist in a double tractor, lever and perforator, and I have found these applicable in every emergency. Whether they be used for the extraction of the head after decapitation, or for the perforation of the fontanels in cases of hydrocephalus, they will be found much more handy than those in present use. I am fully justified by the results of my experience, in stating that with the assistance of these very simple and very effective auxiliary appliances, it is entirely unnecessary after detruncation, to endeavour to alter the position of the head in order to facilitate the removal of its contents; that their use is always destitute of risk to the mother, and that their small size admits of their being resorted to without causing any alarm, and without removing the left hand from its situation in the vagina, advantages incompatible with the use of the larger instruments habitually employed in obstetrical practice. (b) GREVIN, M.D.

Valence (Diome).

SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANEA. ON THE EFFICACY OF OPIUM FOR THE RELIEF OF DELIRIUM IN TYPHOID FEVER.-The recent and frequently successful experiments which have been instituted to test the efficacy of opium and the solanea in chronic delirium have suggested to Dr. Limousin, physician of the hospital of Bergerac, the idea of applying the same treatment to the delirium which accompanies fever. If we are to form an opinion from the facts recorded in the Archives de Médecine, the results would appear satisfactory.

Six, or at least five of the eight cases published by the author, are undoubtedly instances of violent delirium occuring at various stages of typhoid fever, and the beneficial effects of opium were prompt and evident.

The first subject was a young man of twenty-one, in whom as a complication of typhoid, violent, incessant and noisy delirium was present; the patient recognised none of his attendants, and was prevented with much difficulty from throwing himself out of the window. Mr. Limousin prescribed: Extr. Opii., gr. iijss.;

Mist. acacia, 3vj.

To be taken in tablespoonfuls every hour, until the production of sleep. On the first day, the medicine had no effect, and was again exhibited on the morrow; the delirium entirely ceased on the third day, and moreover, the sordes,

(a) In the case of a woman who for thirty-two years had worn uninterruptedly a cork pessary, which had given rise to untoward symptoms, two surgeons failed in extracting the foreign body, and declared its removal impracticable. Mr. Grévin was more fortunate; being unable to insert into the contracted vagina his usual tractor, at the same time with his left forefinger, the operator introduced an incurvated piece of thin wire with which he divided and extracted the foreign body, without damage to the patient.

H. C.

(b) These remarks are an abstract of the contents of an important memoir, in which Mr. Grévin, the author, quotes 27 cases published in the present journal.

H, C.

abdominal distension and diarrhoea were removed, copious perspiration supervened, and the pulse fell from 130 to 90.

In the second patient, a lad of nineteen, opium again checked the delirium; two and a half grains only were prescribed, and the first doses removed the tremor, agitation, and loquacity. After an interval of a few days, the symptoms returned, and were again dispelled by the same remedy, and in this instance also copious diaphoresis was observed, the diarrhoea was arrested, and the sordes which covered the lips and tongue disappeared.

The third subject was a young man aged twenty-six, whose countenance on the fourth day of typhoid fever assumed a sardonic expression, whilst his answers became singular and incoherent. At night he talked incessantly in the most unconnected manner, jumped out of bed, ran out of the room, etc.; two-and-a-half grains of extract of opium were prescribed and produced the first day most distressing retention of urine which lasted twelve hours; a large quantity of water was then passed with great relief. The delirium in this instance yielded as promptly as in the former cases, but the drug had no visible effect on the fever, pulse, or secretions, a circumstance explained by the early stage of the disease. bral complication was, however, entirely removed, and the fever henceforth steadily progressed towards a favourable issue.

The cere

The author after relating three other analogous cases, records the particulars of two instances of genuine inflammatory meningitis, the first observed in a boy of eleven, the second in a child aged two years, in both of which opium proved most beneficial. Ten drachms of syrup of morphia, a tea-spoonful to be taken every hour, were prescribed for the elder child, and to the younger, in whom the meningitis was connected with enteritis caused by teething, three enemas were administered, each containing three drops of laudanum. Under the influence of this treatment the infant fell asleep, and on awaking displayed every sign of returning intelligence; five drops of laudanum were perseveringly exhibited every day, and the recovery was delayed hy diarrhoea only; the right side remained, however, for a long time weak and contracted. Cases of this kind are highly interesting, although they are not invested with a character of absolute novelty. Upwards of twenty years ago, Mr. Morand, of Tours, succeeded in checking the delirium of subjects labouring under typhoid fever, by the exhibition of mixtures containing fifteen drops of laudanum. Dr. Limousins' practice shows that opium does not, as has too often been asserted, cause determination of blood to the head, and that the practitioner is not bound to dispense with this valuable medicine, because congestion of the encephalon is supposed to exist; morbid vascularity has moreover not been discovered in the brain of animals or individuals who have died from the effects of opium; we know very little more of its action on the system beyond Molièrés virtus dormitiva, and we should, therefore, not be deterred by any preconceived theory from the use of this drug in febrile delirium, in which bloodletting and antiphlogistic treatment are notoriously unavailing.

ON THE EFFICACY OF CATHETERISM OF THE DUODENUM FOR THE PURPOSE OF INDUCING PERISTALTIC ACTION.-Mr. Blanchet, physician of the deaf and dumb Institution in Paris, has forwarded to the Academy of Sciences four cases, subject, illustrative of the possibility of introducing a probang together with an account of various experiments on the dead through the pilorus into the jejunum for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

The following are the cases related by the author :

A deaf and dumb boy, aged thirteen, swallowed a rough, pointed, slate pencil about four inches in length. He complained of severe pain in the epigastric region, and pointed to this part as the place occupied by the foreign body. Mr. Blanchet introduced through the mouth a probang thirty-two inches in length, as far as the cardiac orifice of the stomach, where a certain amount of resistance was experienced caused by the pencil, which was promptly forced into the stomach. As the pain continued unabated, the probang was pushed through the pilorus into the duodenum, and by imparting backward and forward movements to the instrument, Mr.