analogous to those we have described are applicable. The pressure exercised over the wound requires, however, special attention. "When the pressure is inefficacious or unbearable, several eminent surgeons, amongst whom I may mention the illustrious Larrey, recommend the oblique wound to be enlarged, in order that the air should escape freely. This is doubtless a measure which fully answers its purpose; the impediment to free escape of the air being thus entirely removed. "This procedure is doubtless efficacious, but is not without danger. The air contained in the chest is thus expelled without difficulty, it is true, but at the same time the exterior air is freely admitted into the cavity of the thorax, and pleurisy or pneumonia may be the consequence. "I should for my part much prefer surrounding the wound at some distance with deep incisions, as in the case of fractured ribs. The air effused in the cellular structures adjacent to the injury, would escape with ease through the gaping orifices thus artificially created, and further infiltration would be obviated. The precept of establishing parallelism between the inner and outer apertures of the wound of the walls of the chest, is one which, in my opinion, is applicable in extreme cases only. "Let us suppose that the progress of the effusion of air has been checked; it would now be necessary to cause the dispersion of the emphysema, but the infiltration is promptly absorbed by the unaided efforts of Nature. If, however, respiration is impeded, scarification of the more distended parts of the skin is appropriate. When the dyspnoea is excessive, cupping is beneficial. Larrey remarks that the copious escape of air causes the cupping-glass to fall off rapidly. This will not occur when the elastic suction-bottle, with valves, is used for the exhaustion of the air; with this appliance the operation is more efficacious and more easily performed." EFFICACY OF FLOWERS OF SULPHUR IN RHEUMATISM OF THE TENDONS.— Dr. Renard relates in the Union Médicale that having resorted, without success, to many forms of treatment for the relief of rheumatism of the tendons of the leg, he was at last indebted for his cure to the accidental perusal of a passage he met with in the Medical Times. "Persons suffering from rheumatism in the legs," said the writer," will find prompt relief by inserting flowers of sulphur in their stockings." The remedy was of so simple and inexpensive a nature, that Dr. Renard adopted the suggestion without delay. The flowers of sulphur used were those commonly supplied by the trade. The effects of the measure were most satisfactory. In the course of forty-eight hours, the pain subsided, and a slight return having been felt after a few days in the sole of the foot, the same remedy was resorted to with immediate benefit. Since the year 1857, the date of this occurrence, Dr. Renard has experienced every year at the beginning of the winter, pain in the tendons of the legs, heels, or elbows. In every instance the application of sulphur removed the rheumatism, the only visible effect being a slight increase of heat and of perspiration in the affected parts. TREATMENT OF BUBO.-In a review of the inaugural theses recently defended at the University of Strasbourg, by several students attached to the military hospital, the Archives de Médecine especially notice that presented by Mr. Ballet, which contains an interesting account of Mr. Netter's practice in the treatment of bubo. In indurated bubo, says the author, several blisters were applied in succession; if suppuration had become established, the blistered surface was dressed with the ceratum cantharidis, and the puriform secretion only was removed. In the first instance, the blister immediately allays, or altogether relieves the pain, and in a few hours flexion of the thigh becomes possible. The duration of the treatment is somewhat uncertain, and varies from three to six weeks. Two or three blisters are generally required to effect a cure. The primary effects of blisters on suppurating bubo are the same; subsequently the pus filters through the skin, or exudes from the denuded integument, and a cure follows. In other cases, a small perforation of the skin takes place, and the se cretion escapes without transudation. In general the scar is quite out of proportion with the size of the aperture. The skin is seldom detached in so considerable an extent as after the application of caustics. In addition, the blisters sometimes restore vitality to the detached portions of integument. In 75 cases of suppurating bubo, the average duration of treatment was 51 days; in one instance a cure was effected only after an interval of 134 days; the most rapid recovery was obtained in a fortnight. Three or four successive blisters were required on an average. In one case as many as seven were applied, whereas in twelve others one only was necessary. Mr. Netter institutes simultaneously the local and general measures of treatment; he never has recourse previously to any internal medication, nor has he in any instance noticed chancrous ulceration of the bubo. (a). HÆMORRHAGE IN THE PALM OF THE HAND; LIGATURE OF THE RADIAL AND ULNAR ARTERIES AT THE WRIST. In case of hemorrhage from the superficial palmar arch, surgeons are divided as to the propriety of securing at once the brachial artery, a procedure recently resorted to with entire success by Mr. Jarjavay, or of previously taking up the radial and ulnar arteries at the wrist. The Archives Médi cales Belges publish a case supplied by Mr. Duprez, a military surgeon, which speaks in favour of the latter course. In the month of June, 1863, a Lancer was admitted into The loss hospital for hemorrhage in the palm of the hand. of blood was temporarily arrested by pressure, but as it recurred with obstinacy, Mr. Duprez resolved on securing the ulnar and radial arteries. The operation was accordingly performed, the wounds were closed with a metallic wire, and a simple dressing was applied. In order to prevent too prompt a return of the circulation of a very narrow siphon, one extremity of which was immersed in the hand, Mr. Duprez had recourse to irrigation by means in cold water. The heat and congestion of the palm of the hand having much subsided in the course of thirty-eight hours, this treatment was discontinued. On the seventh day the ligature of the radial fell off, and the thread was detached effected in the course of three weeks. from the ulnar artery on the twelfth. A complete cure was TREATMENT OF CLUB-FOOT IN INFANCY.-In its impression of October 15th, the Revue de Thérapeutique relates the case of a child of twelve months in whom Mr. Beuclard, physician of the infant asylum at Villefranche, (Yonne), succeeded in effecting a rapid cure of talipes varus, by securing the feet to each other in a very simple manner. The child wore little wooden shoes, with leather anklets laced in front. Mr. Beuclard nailed a sheet of zinc beneath one shoe, and fastened it to the sole of the other with wire hooks; the ankles were joined to each other with a common linen roller. When this apparatus was removed after a fortnight the feet preserved a normal direction for a considerable time. The treatment was persevered in for six weeks, at the expiration of which the desired result was found to have been attained. The deformity, says Mr. Beuclard, frequently proves more obstinate, and after the removal of the dressing the foot is not entirely straightened. In this case a more or less thick (a). In Mr. Alph. Guérin's clinical lectures at the hospital of Lourcine, recorded two years ago in this Journal, (Art. 6031) the good effects of this method were prominently brought forward. We reproduce the Professor's remarks on the subject: "Mr Guérin describes three kinds of bubo: 1. The inflammatory; 2. The virulent, which secretes inoculable matter; 3. The hard glandular enlargements coincident with indurated chancre, and situated not in the inguinal fold only, but in the neck, the axilla, &c. With regard to treatment, Mr. Alph. Guérin recommends, especially in the second form, even when suppuration is present and fluctuation distinct, and the abscess seems on the eve of bursting, the application of several blisters in succession. In most cases, says he, this method causes the reabsorption of the contents of the tumour, and we must acknowledge that in the numerous visits we paid to his wards, containing upwards of ninety beds, we did not meet with a single instance of ulcerated bubo."-Journal of Practical Medicine, Engl. Edit. fourth year, p. 266. Dec. 9, 1863.] cushion should be placed between the shoes, the malleoli being Che Medical Circular. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. CASE OF FIBROUS POLYPUS OF THE UTERUS, BY CHARLES G. RITCHIE, M.D., &c., Late Resident Physician to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Jan. 9, 1863.-Mrs. Hart, ætat. forty-eight, was pregnant for the last time six years ago; during the next three years she menstrua ted regularly, but after that the catamenia showed themselves at longer intervals, and finally disappeared. At this time the patient's general health was tolerably good; at first she imagined that she was again pregnant, and asserted that she felt the movements of the child at each monthly period. Last May severe down-bearing pains came on; they are described by the patient as having been similar in character, and almost equal in intensity, to those of labour, and they were accompanied by profuse hæmorrhage, which, however, ceased spontaneously after some days. Since then the hæmorrhage has returned at every monthly period, being of longer duration each time, so that now it is constant. The discharge is described as being a mixture of "the white and the red," but having no fetid smell. The present attack began six weeks ago, and according to the patient's statement She has used astringent injections has weakened her much. of various descriptions, but is now in a most despondent condition, under the belief that her disease is of a cancerous nature. On examination, skin pale and cool; pulse 84, very compressible; anæmic murmur audible in neck on both sides; abdomen large; parietes flaccid and deeply scarred; (linea albicantes) no tumour to be found above the pubes; the vagina is occupied by a hard, round, slightly nodulated body of the size of a small orange; this tumour is somewhat moveable, and is found to be attached to the posterior wall of the cervix about half an inch from the os, the attaching pedicle being apparently about three-quarters of an inch in diameter. The sound shows little alteration in the length of the uterine cavity. A sponge soaked in Tinct. Ferri Muriat. was introduced, and left in apposition with the tumour, and the patient was ordered to be kept cool. 10th.-Patient has bled but little during the night. She was put under the influence of chloroform, and the tumour having been brought within reach by a pair of hook-forceps, the pedicle was gras ped by two fingers of the left hand. The chain of the écraseur was then slipped over the growth and carefully adjusted around its stalk. The instrument was tightened, and in a few seconds the section was completed without the loss of a single drop of blood. In the evening patient expressed herself as quite well, with the exception of a slight headache; she has lost no blood whatever since the operation. 11th.-Patient slept well; no bleeding; ordered full diet and wine. 13th.-Patient up, attending to her household duties. Ordered iron. 19th.-Patient expresses herself as feeling better than she has done for years. Is looking much stronger. July 2nd.-To-day I saw patient who now looks a strong, healthy woman. She informs me that she has not menstruated nor otherwise lost a drop of blood since the removal of the tumour. There is perhaps no case in Gynecological Surgery where an operation yields a more immediate and manifest relief to the patient than the excision of uterine polypi. In former days when, from fear of hæmorrhage, such cases were treated by the ligature, the proceedings were formidable both to the operator and to the patient. No small difficulty was experienced in getting the ligature round the pedicle, and when at last that was accomplished by means of some ingenious instrument such as that of Dr. Gooch, the patient was condemned to days or even weeks of confinement, until the tumour rotted off. During all this weary imprisonment, and especially towards its close, she was a nuisance to herself and her friends, by the fetid discharges which the most rigorous At the present day, almost every one allows that, while there may be one or two isolated cases of fibrous polypus of the uterus, which may be appropriately treated by the ligature or by torsion, the great majority of them are best removed by excision. There are various methods of performing the excision operation, each of which has its advocate. 1. With Curved Scissors (Siebold's).-This is, perhaps, the simplest operation in cases where the polypus is small and attached near the os. If the pedicle spring from the posterior lip, the patient is placed on her back or left side, two fingers of the left hand fix the tumour and act as a guide for the scissors, which are introduced with the concavity directed forwards. If the attachment, however, be to the anterior lip, it will be found convenient to have the patient on her right side or on her hands and knees, unless the operator be ambi-dexterous. The advantage of this method is that it is simple and speedy, the hæmorrhage is rarely considerable, and if it become at all alarming, may readily be stopped by the application of a solution of muriate of iron in glycerine. One objection to it is, that it is often by no means easy to reach the pedicle. To effect this a great number of instruments have been invented, that most commonly used being the hook-forceps of Museuz. If they be employed, care must be taken that the hooks are not too sharp nor too much bent, otherwise the operator may find that in introducing and withdrawing them he is able to save the vagina nary Pince à crémaillière may be submitted for Museuz's hooks, from laceration only by the sacrifice of his own fingers. The ordiand if the polypus be very large, Smellie's short midwifery forceps is the best instrument which could be used for the purpose. 2. By the Polyptome of Simpson.-This instrument somewhat In the hands of its inventor it has resembles the obstetrical sharp hook; its convex border is, howbeen eminently successful. Dr. Simpson states that in some cases ever, considerably thicker. he had finished the operation before the patient was aware that she was undergoing more than a common vaginal examination. Theoless where the polypus is attached near the fundus unless inversio retically speaking, it must always cut obliquely, and must be useuteri have occurred. 3 By Ecrasement Linéaire.-This operation is applicable to almost all forms of fibroid polypus Its great advantage is that no is carefully and precisely adjusted, and there need be no haste, cutting instrument has to be introduced into the vagina. The chain because, be the patient ever so restless, she cannot wound herself. Of course, after the instrument is once adjusted, all difficulty is over. The fingers are withdrawn, the uterus, tumour, and chain slip away up into the pelvis, but we may go on but the pedicle will be cut. Then, again, the operation need not quietly taking in the links, knowing that the pedicle, and nothing cause the loss of a single drop of blood; it is true, that in simply cutting through the pedicle, the hemorrhage is usually trifling, but we must remember that the loss of a very small quantity of blood is a grave matter to a patient exhausted by long-continued leucorrhoeal and sanguineous discharge. 4. By Galvano-caustic.-In this operation, a wire brought tightly round the pedicle is heated to redness by means of a strong battery. The vagina must be most carefully screened from the heat by means of a wooden or horn speculum. The apparatus required is cumbersome and expensive, and three or four intelligent assistants are necessary. Of course the operation is only possible when the tumour is small enough to allow its being surrounded by a speculum, and low enough to permit its pedicle to come well into view. I am not aware that the method has any counterProfessor Braun, of Vienna. balancing advantages; it is, however, strongly recommended by 2 Hertford street, May Fair, W. (a) On Ovarian and Uterine Disease, 1853; Report iii., pp. 173, 227. West on Diseases of Women, 2nd edition, p. 326. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY, Dec. 1st.-At the Second M.B. Examination the following gentlemen were examined and approved: -Walter Balls, B.A.; George William Seward, M.A. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-John Hilbert, Esq., of Brawick Hall, has given a further donation of 100l. to the University College Hospital, which makes 1,000l. altogether given by that gentleman to the institution. THE REMOVAL OF BETHLEHEM.-One of the chief subjects of the inquiry now going on by the Commissioners of Charities will be the desirability of the removal of Bethlehem Hospital. RHEUMATISM IN PARIS.-The medical returns in Paris for the month of October show an extraordinary increase of rheumatism. The hospitals are full of patients suffering from what a few years ago was called an English disease. at an THE MEDICAL CIRCULAR. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1863. plaintiff's attorney was Mr. Edward Lewis, of Marlborough street, and her counsel were Mr. Montague Chambers, Q.C., Mr. Huddleston, Q.C., and Mr. Prentice. The declaration, as it is called, or the statement of the grievances for which a plaintiff requires redress, is as follows, and we quote it entire : The declaration alleged that the defendants and divers other persons, as their servants and by their command, entered the plaintiff's dwelling-house, 5 Oakley-street, Camden-town, and made a great disturbance therein, and stayed therein for a long time, and assaulted and beat the plaintiff and imprisoned her, and put her under bodily restraint under the false and unfounded pretence that she was a person of unsound mind, incapable of taking care of herself, and unfit to be at liberty, and kept and continued her so imprisoned for a long time, and prevented her friends from having forced her to take and swallow noxious drugs and compounds, and access to her, and kept her without proper food and sustenance, and thereby injured and impaired her health. THE CASE OF SYMM v. FRASER AND ANDREWS. The late case tried in the Court of Queen's Bench is unparalleled for meanness, falsehood, malignity, ingratitude, and injustice. One of the common, we might almost say every-day, occurrences of Medical life has been tortured by a morbid and perverted ingenuity into a primâ facie case of ill-treatment, and two most respectable members of our Profession have been compelled, for five days, and enormous expense, to defend themselves against an accusation which has not the most remote shadow of foundation. How such an action could have ever been brought is one of the mysteries of Law which we can hardly presume to unravel, and how it was allowed to come to a termination in the ordinary course, and was not indignantly scouted out of court, is a matter equally beyond our comprehension. We find respectable members of the Medical Profession, acting in the onerous, responsible, and ill-paid duties of their calling, subjected to every species of abuse and insult, while not one word is uttered against the morality of the Bar, which absorbs. hundreds and hundreds of pounds in an attempt to support a trumpery charge which, if unsustained, would entail utter ruin on the instigator of the suit. If we are correctly informed, the plaintiff, Mrs. Symm, is a person possessed of some small property, nearly the whole, if not the entire of such persons behind the scenes, who are the incitors of this which, will be swallowed up by the enormous costs of the and similar persecutions, and the Medical Times and Gazette,' present action, and she herself and her poor imbecile brother which appears to know more about the origin of the action will probably be left for the rest of their days to the contemp-than it thinks prudent to divulge, expresses something like tuous pity of the charitable or the cold hospitality of the parish workhouse. The defendants, on the other hand, are gentlemen of high respectability, and one of them, at least, is a person of some substance; and we have not the slightest doubt that, before the action was brought, this latter fact was carefully ascertained. We can imagine some fellows prowling about the neighbourhood of Oakley Square, watching the appearance of the houses inhabited by Drs. Fraser and Andrews, observing the character of the furniture, the aspect of the visitors, the style of the equipages, and other important particulars. Inquiries would also probably be instituted in the vicinity as to the pecuniary transactions of the gentlemen in question with their tradesmen, and the City records (kept in some wellknown quarters for the purpose), would perhaps, be diligently searched in order to discover whether either or both of them had ever failed in business, or had had an execution in his house, or had assigned his property for the benefit of his creditors, or in any other way had exhibited an embarrassment in his circumstances. If any such discoveries had been made, Drs. Fraser and Andrews would probably have been safe, for no actions of the kind we now allude to are brought against persons of doubtful respectability, or those who have been bankrupts, or are likely to become so. That the law has anything to do with such matters as those to which we now hypothetically refer, is impossible, for the law is an honourable profession, like our own; and the gentlemen engaged on the side of the plaintiff in the present instance are too well known as being "all honourable men" to allow us to believe that they engaged in such an action as Symin v. Fraser and Andrews, without believing that their case was a good one, and that they were acting in the interests of public justice. The Now, using the mildest language, but at the same time, being acquainted with the evidence given at the trial, we have no hesitation in saying that this declaration was proved by the defence to consist of a tissue of downright falsehoods from beginning to end, and hardly a fraction of it was supported even by the plaintiff's own witnesses. But as the four legal gentlemen engaged for the plaintiff were of course made aware of the nature of their own case, we are compelled to believe that some evidence on which they relied was absent when it ought to have been forthcoming, or that they were egregiously deceived by some person or persons in the background. The Lancet' indeed seems to intimate that there are some a similar opinion; and we only echo the sentiments of these (). To lash the rascals naked through the world!" We read occasionally in the Medical journals letters from practitioners warning their brethren against thieves who come to their houses, and under pretence of consulting them, walk away with cases of instruments, spoons or umbrellas, or any other matters which may lie in their way but how infinitely more important is it for the Profession to guard against, and if possible to detect, and bring to justice a set of scoundrels who are hunting up actions against Medical men, on trumpery grounds, or no grounds at all, and thus spreading dismay through hundreds of households. How do we know at the present moment how many actions are threatened, how many writs have been issued, how many trials are pending, upon matters as trumpery and as mendacious as those involved in the case of Symm v. Fraser and Andrews? The mere threat of such an action is enough to cause many timid men to compromise, and indeed this is the cheapest plan; while those who resist, are inevitably saddled, even if they gain the suit, with heavy costs, for the ultimate recovery of which the law affords no security whatever. We think that Mr. Edward Lewis, of Marlborough street, Mr. Montague Chambers, Mr. Huddleston, and Mr. Prentice, owe it as a duty to their own characters, to the Medical Profession who are justly indignant at the late trial, and to the community at large, who in this case are indignant also, to sum above-mentioned. Our readers, and the friends of Dr. Lingen in general, will be gratified to learn that at a meeting of his Committee held last week it was found that the contributions to the Lingen Fund were amply sufficient to defray the legal expenses, and to leave a balance which is to be devoted to the purchase of a piece of plate as a testimonial of respect and esteem for Dr. Lingen's character, and of sympathy with him under the persecution he has endured, THE AERATED BREAD COMPANY. explain the circumstances under which they have been so egregiously deceived, and to endeavour, as far as lies in their power, to assist the Medical Profession in unmasking the villains, whose existence is suspected but hitherto unproved. In ancient Rome, there was a class of persons called delators, who plied an infamous trade in bringing malicious actions, and unless we are greatly mistaken, there is a law still extant in England which provides for the punishment of such offenders. When poor Mrs. Symm, in her sober hours of reflection, comes to balance the obligations under which she lies respectively to the Medical and the Legal professions, we have little doubt that her conclusion will be in favour of the former. Two Medical gentlemen saved her from destroying herself, and restored her from sickness to health for a sum of about 51. 10s., while her law expenses, incurred in a hopeless action, will amount to somewhere about fifteen hundred to two thousand pounds, the payment of which, as we have before hinted, will perhaps reduce her to beggary. The four honourable and learned gentlemen who acted as her legal advisers, will, no doubt, deeply deplore the consequences of the action, into which they have been drawn by their kindness of heart and their zeal for the afflicted widow, and we should not wonder if they generously returned her their fees to help her in pay-light and agreeable. A still more important improvement is ing the costs of the defence. At present we have only to add that, as Drs. Fraser and Andrews have merely gained a costly victory, which gives them nothing and involves them in enormous outlay, the Profession will, of course, come forward to testify their respect for their characters, and to contribute towards the payment of their expenses. We think, indeed, that much more ought to be attempted, and that an effort should now be made to ascertain what position a Medical man really holds when called upon to act on sudden emergencies in cases involving questions of unsoundness of mind. It is quite right that Drs. Fraser and Andrews should come clear out of their present annoyance; but how can we tell who may be the next victim? The transaction out of which the late action arose, occurred in December, 1861, and the plaintiff suddenly brought the action in the spring of 1863; and who shall say that some other such action may not be impending, like the sword of Damocles, over any one of us? We shall be happy to receive subscriptions at the office of this Journal towards the fund now being raised, and we have no doubt that the contributions will be liberal and universal. SUMMARY OF THE WEEK. THE CONCLUSION OF DR. LINGEN'S CASE. Our readers will no doubt feel interested in learning the conclus ion of the case of Dr. Lingen, of Hereford, who was subjected some months ago to a frivolous, vexatious, and expensive action, but one which falls into utter insignificance before the gigantic infamy of the case of Symm v. Fraser and Andrews. The action against Dr. Lingen was commenced about September, 1862, and after repeated delays and consequent expenses, was brought to trial and resulted in a verdict in his favour. An application was then made for a new trial, but was refused. Dr. Lingen, having been successful in the cause, found himself liable to upwards of 3501. law expenses, which were in due time applied for from the plaintiff's solicitor, but the answer, as may be anticipated was that there was 66 no effects," and the only remedy was to put the plaintiff into prison. Dr. Lingen, of course, declined to take such a step, and he is liable to the payment of the The directors of the Aerated Bread Company have just published their half-yearly report, from which it appears that the affairs are in a very prosperous condition, and that a considerable dividend is payable to the shareholders. The process of manufacturing this bread is by pumping into the dough a concentrated solution of brine containing an excess of carbonic acid, and then immediately transferring the loaves to the baking tins. By this method the ordinary fermentation of the bread is entirely superseded, and the sugar it contains is preserved, instead of being converted into alcohol and carbonic acid, as in the ordinary process. Thus the bread is baked and the loaves turned out complete in a very short time, and while the full amount of nutritious matter is retained, the taste is ffected in the abolition of night work and the consequent immunity of the operatives from the inconveniences and the attendant maladies to which bakers are generally exposed. THE CHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ACONITE AND ACONITINA. The It will be recollected that in noticing the late case of suicide by tincture of aconite, we expressed our doubts whether so small a quantity as the fiftieth of a grain of aconitina would prove poisonous to an adult human being, and also whether the presence of the alkaloid could chemically be detected in a small quantity of the tincture of aconite. views which we controverted were represented in the 'Times' as having been advanced by Dr. Puckle, the Medical witness at the inquest. This gentleman has very recently, and somewhat late in the day, written to one of our contemporaries, stating that his evidence was incorrectly reported, and that in fact he entertained the opinions usually received on the subject. He states that he represented the fatal dose of aconitina as about one-tenth of a grain, and that he considered the best test of aconite to be the physiological one of producing numbness and tingling of the tongue. It will thus be perceived that our information on the subject was correct in every particular, and that a good chemical test for aconitina still remains to be discovered. REINFORCEMENTS FOR JAPAN.-A reinforcement of about 600 men for land service in Japan is about to embark, with the following efficient medical staff:-Surgeon Knox Ord, M.D., F.L.S., R.N., Sir Gilbert Blane's Gold Medallist; Assistant-Surgeon Angus Robertson, Haslar Hospital; and Assistant-Surgeon Gabriel M. Egles, H.M.S." Impregnable." LONDON HOSPITAL-A quarterly general court of the governors of this hospital was held on Wednesday; Mr. Thomas Fowell Buxton in the chair. The report stated that the hospital was at the present time 5,000l. in debt to their bankers. ASSOCIATION IN AID OF THE DEAF AND DUMB, 309 REGENT STREET.-A very interesting soirée was given on Monday evening in aid of this benevolent association, and to aid in erecting a church, which was attended by about 400 persons, a large portion of whom were affected by these great privations. The chair was taken by Harvey Lewis, Esq., M.P., and the following resolution was agreed 1,807 deaf and dumb persons in London, and that for these there to:-"That, considering the last census shows the existence of is no proper place of worship adapted to their requirements, this meeting solicits the benevolent to support the committee of the especially as only 1,350, more was required." association in their endeavour to provide one with read ingrooms " REVIEW OF THE PERIODICALS. THE LANCET.' "Molecular DR. HUGHES BENNETT continues his Lectures on Physiology, Pathology and Therapeutics," the present lecture being on the subject of "Morbid Degenerations of Texture." These degenerations may be albuminous, fatty, pigmentary, and mineral, and these different varieties are described and illustrated by diagrams. They are all regarded by Dr. Bennett as forms of the retrograde metamorphosis of the tissues, brought about by the deposition and aggregation of molecules, and having no necessary connexion with the production of cells or any other elementary kind of tissue. These views, although well described and illustrated, are not new. DR. LEARED continues his papers "On the Treatment of Phthisis, by the Hot Air Bath," and adduces two more cases in favour of that mode of treatment. He admits that his cases are too few in number at present, to form the basis of any theory on the subject, but he considers his results to be quite satisfactory up to the present time, and he concludes his paper by the remark that if he himself were affected with phthisis, he would give the Hot Air Bath the fullest trial. MR. JESSE LEACH, a certifying surgeon under the Factories' Act, contributes a paper on "Surat Cotton, as it Bodily affects Operatives in Cotton Mills." He describes the dust given off from the cotton in the cotton mills, and the various These affecaffections caused by its presence to the operatives. tions are serious diseases of the respiratory organs, and diseases of the skin. THE MEDICAL TIMES AND GAZETTE.' PROFESSOR HUXLEY continues his lecture "On the Vertebrate Skull,” and he now describes the skulls of many of the mammalia, as the horse, the sheep, the pig, the rhinoceros, and many others. DR. R. D. THOMSON continues his papers entitled "Chemical Aids to the Medical Practitioner," his present subject being "Blood," the constituents of which he describes, together with their chemical characters, and their relative proportions. MR. ROBERT B. CARTER relates an interesting case of "Intra-ocular Encephaloma extirpated without Return." The patient was a boy, aged four, who was blind of one eye, in which the existence of a nodulated mass, of a primrose yellow colour, and uniform appearance, was detected. The description of the appearances observed is not very clear, as the mass is said to have occupied the pupillary space behind the lens, the meaning probably being that the morbid growth was seen behind the lens through the pupillary space. Mr. Carter extirpated the eye, and on examination a tumour was found of about the size of a hazel nut in the vitreous humour. The nature of the tumour was rather doubtful, and at first sight resembled encephaloid, containing several distinct gritty calcareous particles. The disease had not returned in ten months after the operation. Dr. CARL HEINE concludes his paper "On Infantile Paralysis, considering chiefly the Anatomical Lesions which give rise to this condition, and the treatment to be adopted." The post-mortem appearances have been very seldom observed or recorded, because, as is well-known, the disease is not generally fatal. Dr. Heine relates a few cases, from which it appears that the lesions are the same in nature as in cases of the paralysis of adults, namely, disease of the spinal cord or brain. The treatment must be directed on the same principle as in adults, but the deformities of the extremities must be remedied by orthopedic measures. THE SCOTTISH HOSPITAL.-The 199th anniversary of this hospital was celebrated by a banquet at the Freemason's Tavern on Monday night, the occasion being St. Andrew's Day. The chair was taken by Lord Palmerston, who, upon entering the room, was received with several rounds of cheers. His lordship was preceded by the pipers of the Highland Society and the Duke of Argyll, and was accompanied by the committee. 1,2001. was collected. REVIEW OF BOOK S. Skin Diseases of Parasitic Origin; their Nature and Treatment, including the description and relations of the Fungi found in Man. By W. Tilbury Fox, M.D. London University Medical Scholar, pp. 210. London: Robert Hardwicke, 1863. If the shades of Willan and Bateman could revisit the earth, they would stare with astonishment at the havoc made with their nomenclature by the progress of microscopical science and the study of cryptogamic vegetation. Not only is the interior of the body the occasional, and, indeed, the frequent seat of parasitic animals, visible and invisible to the naked eye, and living upon the internal juices, not only is the external covering sometimes the chosen residence of the itch insect, but myriads of fungi of a very low degree of organisation, though recognised and discriminated by the mycologist, cluster upon the skin, find upon it a congenial soil for their growth, development, and increase, and give rise to a host of diseases utterly different in appearance to the unassisted vision, and agreeing only in their botanical character, and their power of extensive propagation. The investigation of the forms and varieties of the parasitic fungi is by no means a barren philosophical speculation, but is fertile in pathological and therapeutical results, and it enables the practitioner not merely to arrange the diseases to which they give rise, in a new and more methodical order, but also to direct with greater precision and success than has been hitherto attainable, the treatment to be adopted for the extirpation of these minute but troublesome forms of vegetable life. In setting forth the various kinds of disease caused by the presence of cryptogamic vegetations on the skin, Dr. Tilbury Fox employs the old word Tinea (the Teigne of the French), as the generic term for these growths, and he comprehends a number of diseases heretofore ranked under several distinct heads in dermatological nosology. Thus Tinea favosa is the Porrigo upinosa of Willan the scall-head or honeycomb scall; Tinea tonsurans is the Porrigo scutulata of Willan and Bateman, or ring-worn of the scalpi Tinea circinata is the old ring-worm, or Herpes circinatus ; Tinea sycosis is the sycosis menti or mentagra; Tinea decalvans is the Porrigo decalvans of Willan, and the Alopecia of later writers ; Tinea versicolor is the Pityriasis versicolor or Chloasma; Tinea polonica is the old Plica polonica, and Tinea tarsi is our familia Ophthalmia tarsi or Psorophthalmia. All these forms of Tinea are essentially connected with the existence of some cryptogamic growth; but the skin is not the only surface which affords a pabulum for these fungi which are also found in the mucous membranes, in tuberculous cavities and in the urine. Dr. Tilbury Fox described with great care the diagnostic characters of the different fungi, the structure of which is further illustrated by a series of well-executed plates, accompanied by explanatory references. Among those which are found upon the external surface, and give rise, among other affections, to the different forms of Tinea just alluded to, are many with names difficult enough to frighten the botanist, even in these days of minute subdivisions of classification, such as Achorion Schönleinii, Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporon audouini, Puccinia, Chionyphe, &c. Those which inhabit the mucous surfaces are better known, and therefore of less interest, such as Torula, or the yeast plant, the Sarcina of Goodsir, the öidium albicans, the leptothrix, the leptomitus, &c. The relationship of the fungi to one another, and their identity or non-identity in different forms of skin disease are subjects discussed at great length, and with very great profundity, and they are illustrated by reference to established authorities, as well as to clinical and microscopical observation; but our limits prevent us from following Dr. Tilbury Fox into these inquiries, and we must hasten to offer a few remarks upon the general treatment of these parasitical affections. As parasitic disease is a complex term, involving the idea, 1. of a diathesis or soil, 2. the growing parasite itself, and 3. the lesions, such as disease of hairs and epithelium which supervene, the treatment must therefore be directed towards the alteration of the soil, the destruction of the fungus so as to prevent further mischief, and the promotion of the re-growth of the hair, or the healthy renovation of the cuticle. The first object is to be accomplished by the adoption of all those measures which improve the general health, and thus alter the diathesis or soil, which is an indispensable condition for the growth of the fungus; the second object is by local treatment to destroy the fungus itself, and this may be done by removal of the hair (epilation), the use of parasiticides (among the best of which are bichloride of mercury and carbolic acid), shaving, and the use of soothing agencies, such as poultices, oleaginous, applications, opiates, and the solution of lead. Cod-liver oil, iron, and arsenic, without being specifics in the diseases now under consideration, are exceedingly important remedies in improving the general health, and thus fortifying the system against the growth of the parasites. Such is a very brief and imperfect sketch of the subjects discussed in Dr. Tilbury Fox's valuable work, which we cordially recommend |