in all their intensity; extreme agita tion, continued motion of the hands and fingers, seizing the bed-clothes or other objects, high delirium, only relating to gay and amusing subjects; vision almost lost, but they were both attending to bodies which they believed they saw; extreme dilatation and insensibility of the pupils; eyes sometimes stationary, at others in motion; spasmodic action of the muscles of the face, grinding the teeth, voice small and hoarse; slight swelling on the left side of the neck, and burning heat in the œsophagus, (in the eldest of the boys); a determined aversion to all liquids in both boys, and spasmodic symptoms supervened whenever it was attempted to force them to swallow; finally, great excitement of the genital organs, erection, and involuntary emission of urine. This assemblage of symptoms is somewhat analogous to mania without fever, for the vascular system was not at all excited, and the respiration was not accelerated. Some berries, which had not been eaten, and part of the plant, showed the nature of the poison taken. Two indications presented; the first to remove the rest of the poison from the stomach, for the frequent belchings having a belladonna odour, showed that the stomach was not quite free; the second, to remedy the accidents caused by its ingestion. As there were no symptoms of gastritis, an emetic of ipecacuanha, tartarized antimony, and squill was given in small quantities every ten or twelve minutes, until the desired effect was produced. The second indication was fulfilled by means of vegetable acids. The father and the youngest girl had no emetic, as they had merely a slight head - ache. Emesis was soon excited in the other daughter, and she speedily recovered, as well as her father and sister, by abstinence and the use of lemonade. The boys did not vomit until the emetic had been frequently repeated, when they brought up the remains of the berries mixed with mucus and bile. As deglutition was very painful, vinegar and water was given every two hours in glysters, rubbed on the spine, and applied to the head. By these means the agitation diminished considerably; the youngest boy slept a little during the night The next day there was still some delirium, but considerably lessened; they had many fœtid stools, containing parts of the berries. The day after they were going on well, with the exception that vision was indistinct and the neck felt stiff in the eldest: the intellectual powers were perfectly re-established. ON PULMONARY TUBERCLES. BY B. ALDIs, A.B. M.B. PHYSICIANS, from the remotest time, have endeavoured to investigate pulmonary consumption. Hippocrates, and other ancient writers, speak of suppurating tubercles in the lungs ; hence, not only the nature but also the pathology of the disease was scrutinized at a very distant period. The great Morgagni, on the contrary (according to Dr. Kolk), who was celebrated for his most accurate and frequent post-mortem examinations, so dreaded the dead bodies of the consumptive, that he never touched them, not even in his old age, although he would add, that it might appear more cautious than necessary, yet it was more secure; but he describes a triple species of tubercles, of which one is like pus, another like thick honey, but most, and these the smaller ones, are filled with steatomatous matter. Much remains to be learned respecting the nature of tubercles; authors differ greatly both as to their constitution and cause. Portal thinks, that tubercles are degenerated lymphatic glands, originating from a scrofulous habit. M. Broussais attributes the complaint to inflammatory action in some structure of the lungs, and propagated to the lymphatic glands of the part. He conceives that tubercular matter may be deposited wherever lymphatic glands are present. Dr. Alison has endeavoured to show that they are attributable to the formation of the scrofulous habit, and that in such cases they may be, and often are, the consequence of inflammation, Andral considers tubercles as the result of morbid secretion, proceeding. either from inflammatory action or congestion. Baillie denies their glan, dular nature; M.M. Bayle, Laennec, and Dr. Baron oppose the inflammatory doctrine; Lorinzer denies that tubercles can be formed without inflammation; he concludes that tubercles arise in consequence of suppressed exhalation of the exhalent vessels. Dr. Kolk consents that a morbid secretion can exist without inflammation;, thus the urine, bile, and milk very frequently degenerate; but a new body is formed in the formation of tubercles, which does not at all resemble exhaled vapour, but greatly assimilates coagulable lymph, the companion of inflammation. In an excellent article, published in the London University Magazine for Nov. 1829, a supposition is made, that tubercle originates in chronic inflammation of the lung; which causes a deposition of matter at certain points. in its different, textures; that these points go on enlarging till they produce, according to some accidental circumstance, all the varied appearances met with in tubercles". It is also stated, that "facts have not yet been made completely to demonstrate it; indeed, they sometimes seem to contradict it." Our inquiries into the nature and seat of tubercles must be limited in consequence of the difficulty of observing the disease at its origin. Much has been written on the subject, still the field is open to future investigation, and it is to be hoped that more fortunate observers dispersing the perplexing hypotheses which at present exist may gain a clear idea of tubercular formation. 13, Old Burlington Street, T DR. SIGMOND read an essay by Dr↑ Rousseau, on the ilea, aquifolium, the common holly, which gained the sil ver prize, awarded by the Council for the best essay on the medicinal qualities and uses of any indigenous plant, which is not yet sufficiently known, or on new uses and applica-j tions of any other indigenous plant, Dr. Rousseau considers the ilexq aquifolium as a powerful febrifuge. and capable of replacing the cinchona bark. In making this statement, het, depends on an experience of twenty years, relying also on that of many. eminent medical men, who have given it a trial on his recommendation. There are twenty-five species of the holly growing in various parts of the world, but only one, the ilex aquifolium, indigenous to Europe, is at all, febrifuge. Dr. R. after describing the botanical characters of the ilex, gives three processes for obtaining its proximate principles, which he names ilicine. We shall only notice the last of these; it consists in mak-, ing an alcoholic extract of the leaves, which is to be dissolved in water, and afterwards treated with the subacetate of lead, sulphuric acid, and carbonate of lime, then filtered and evaporated; to the product alcohol is to be added, distilled, and the residue dried. This is the ilicine; it is not acted on by acids, except when the temperature is raised; neither alcalies, chlorine, nitrate of silver, hydrochlorate of platinum, acetate of potass, oxalates of potash or ammonia, do precipitate it; it is insoluble in ether, soluble in alcohol of 40° or 36o, and even in warm water, It is of a brown colour, and non-crystallizable. When heated in a platinum crucible it gives out carbon, and be... trays the presence of an alkali, by restoring the colour of litmus paper when reddened by an acid. M. Rousseau has only made use of the leaves in his experiments, and these have been given in various ways in decoction, in substance, in extract, the ilicine, and in injection; the dose of the ilicine is from six to twenty-four grains in pills. Dr. R. then details several cases, which he conceives prove the febrifuge action, as well as sedative of the leaves on the spleen, liver, and pancreas, especially when the sensibility of those organs have been increased by the use of cinchona and its compounds. In these cases the various preparations enumerated have been fully tried, and, after a longer or shorter period, effected a cure. In the last case only was the ilicine tried. In this case there was great prostration of strength, pupils dilated, teeth covered with sordes, mucous râle in the superior lobes of both lungs, abdomen hot, urine scanty and red, pulse 110 to 120; six grains were given daily, increased gradually to twelve. The patient was cured in about three weeks, one hundred and ninety-eight grains of ilicine having been administered, besides some other medicines. Towards the conclusion of the essay, Dr. Rousseau gives a catalogue raisonné of sixty-five cases, treated by the ilex and its preparations. Of these, twenty-two were quotidian, twenty tertian, twenty quartan, one of an erratic type; that of the other two not mentioned. Specimens of the powder and extract of the ilex and ilicine were on the table. Earl Stanhope then made some remarks on the use of the guacojuice in hydrophobia and rheumatism, after which the Society adjourned to the 26th of June. June the 26th. The following presents were announced as having been received :Dr. Webster on the epidemic cholera; Handbuch der Pharmacie by Phillipp Lorenz Geizer, in three vols.; VOL. I. Abhandlung über die Arzneikräfte den Pflanzen by Dr. Johann Heinrich Dierbach; Flora Apiciana, Ein Beitrag Zur näheren Kenntnifs der Nahrungsmittel der alten Römer, von Dr. Johann Heinrich Dierbach, Professor of Medicine at Heidelberg': Europæische Cerealeen in Botanischer und Landwirthschaftlicher Hinsicht bearbitel, von J. Metzger, with specimens of the corn. Earl Stanhope then proceeded to read a letter from Mr. Brown of Edinburgh, on the Tormentilla and its value in dysentery; Mr. B. being led to conclude that it will prove equally available in the epidemic cholera. Specimens of the plant, and the vinous preparation employed by Mr. Brown, were presented at the same time. Dr. Sigmond then proceeded to read part of an essay which he had prepared, on the history and uses of the cinchona bark, which appeared to excite considerable attention. Dr. S. added, that he had been induced to submit the essay in its imperfect state, in consequence of the unavoidable absence of Drs. Ryan and Clendinning, who were to have delivered lectures that evening. He hoped the Society would afford him, during the next session, an opportunity of reading the essay, when rendered complete in all its bearings, including the discovery, &c. of the salts contained in the cinchona bark. A ballot then took place for the office of Conservator, and W. B. COSTELLO, Esq. was duly elected. Mr. Iliff then proposed that the vinous preparation of the Tormentilla should be given to the members to try its powers. He promised to give it a fair trial, and report the cases at the next meeting of the Society. The President observed that the preparation was at the service of the members, and likewise remarked that some bottles of the guacojuice were also to be obtained by members of the medical profession, on condition of furnishing the Society with a report of the trial 2 Y AMYRIS elemifera (elemi tree; amyris Gileadensis, balsam of Gilead tree), Nos. 78, 79. Linn. Octandria monogynia. Order 1, class 8. Juss. Terebintaceæ. Sect. 2, order 12, of Dicotyledones. Gen. char. Calyx four-toothed; petals four oblong; stigma four-cornered; berry drupaceous. Prep. Ointment from the resin. ANCHUSA tinctoria (alkanet), No. 26. Linn. Pentandria monogynia. Order 1, class 5. Juss. Boragineæ. Sect. 4, order 9, of Dicotyledones. Gen. char. Corolla funnel-shaped; throat closed with arches. Prep. Root only used as a colouring for oils or ointments. ..ANETHUM graveolens (common dill, anethum fæniculum, sweet fennel), Nos. 60, 61. Linn. Pentandria digynia. Order 2, class 5. Juss. Umbelliferæ. Sect. 1, order 2, of Dicotyledones. Gen. char. Dill seed is oval; concave on one side, convex and striated on the other; brown, with a dull pale membranous expansion. The root of fennel is fusiform; the stem erect; leaves alternate, composed of depending linear leaflets; its seed resembles dill. Prep. Dill is used in aq. anethi; fennel in an oil, confection, spirit, and decoction; its seed as a carminative. ANGELICA archangelica (garden angelica), No. 56. Linn. Pentandria digynia. Order 2, class 5. Juss. Umbelliferæ. Sect. 1, order 2, of ANTHEMIS nobilis (chamomile; an⚫ themis pyrethrum, pellitory of Spain), Linn. Sygenesia superflua. Order 2, class 19. Juss. Corymbiferæ. Sect. 4, order 3, of Dicotyledones. Gen. char. Receptacle chaffy; seed naked; florets of the ray more than five. Prep. Chamomile flowers are used in decoction, infusion, extract, and oil. Pellitory is employed as a sialagogue. 10. ARBUTUS Uva ursi (trailing arbutus, or bear-berry), No. 99. Linn. De candria monogynia. Order 1, class Juss. Boragineæ. Sect, 4. Order 9, of Dicotyledones. Gen.char. Calyx five-parted; corolla ovate; the mouth pellucid at the base; berry five-celled. Prep. Leaves in powder, ARCTIUM Lappa (Burdock), No. 161. Linn. Syngenesia equalis. Or der 1, class 19. Juss. Cinarocephalæ. Sect. 1, order 2, of Dicoty ledones. Gen. char. Calyx globular; the scales at the apex with inverted hooks; the receptacle chaffy; seeddown chaffy, bristly. Prep. Seeds and roots diuretic. ARISTOLOCHIA serpentaria (Virginian snake root, or birthwort), No. 174. Linn. Gynandria hexandria. Order 4, class 20. Juss. Aristolo chiæ. Order 1, of Dicotyledones. Gen. char. No calyx; corolla monopetalous, strapshaped, ventricose at the base; capsule six-celled, containing many seeds, and inferior. Prep. The root is used in tincture and electuary. Infusion dissipates the oil in which the virtue of the plant chiefly resides. ARNICA montana (mountain arnica), No. 167. Linn. Syngenesia superflua. Order 2, class 19. Juss. Corymbiferæ. Sect. 2, order 3, class 10, of Dicotyledones. Gen. char. Calyx with equal leaflets; corollæ of the ray very often having five filaments without anther; the receptacle naked; seed-down simple. Prep. Used in powder as an errhine; in also exhibited inwardly in powder and infusion. 1 ARTEMISIA abrotanum, southernwood; artemisia santonica, Tartarian southernwood; artemisia maritima,sea wormwood; artemisia absinthium, common wormwood, Nos. 162, 163, 164, 165. Linn. Syngenesia super flua. Order 2, class 19. Juss. Co rymbiferæ. Sect. 4, order 3, class 10, of Dicotyledonés. Gen. char. Calyx imbricate; scales round and converging; corollæ without rays; receptacle subvillous, or almost naked; no seed-down. Prep. extract. ASARUM maculatum (asarabacca), No. 105. Linn. Dodecandria monogynia. Order 1, class 11. Juss. Aristolochiæ. Order 1, class 6, of Dicotyledones. Gen. char. Calyx four-cleft, placed on the germen. No corolla; the capsule coriaceous and crowned. Prep. Powder. ASPIDIUM ilix mas (male fern), No. 207. Linn. Cryptogamia filicis. Order 1, class 24. Juss. Filices. Sect. 2, order 5, class 1, of Acoty. ledones. Gen. char. Fructification in roundish, scattered, but not marginal points; involucre umbilicated, and dehiscent, almost on every side. Prep. Root in powder. ASTRAGALUS tragacantha (tragacanth), No. 152. Linn. Diadelphia decandria. Order 4, class 17. Juss. Leguminosa. Sect. 6, order 11, class 14. Gen. char. Legume twocelled, or nearly so. Prep. Mucilage, powder. ATROPA belladonna (deadly nightshade.) No. 38. Linn. Pentandria monogynia. Order 1, class 5. Juss. Solaneæ. Sect. 2, order 8, class 8, of Dicotyledones. Gen. char. Corolla campanulate; stamens distant; berries globular, two celled, resting on the calyx. Prep. Extract. AVENA sativa (common oat), No. 1 Linn. Triandria digynia. Order 2, class 3. Juss. Gramineæ. Sect. 8, order 4, class 2, of Monocotyledones. Gen. char. Calyx two valved, many-flowered; the awn twisted on the back. Prep. Used for gruel, poultices, &c. (To be continued.) A LETTER, signed "a constant Reader" purporting to be a defence of chemists against your "tirades &c. &c." ap peared in your last number. If the confessions made in the effusion refer. red to (which I believe emanated from an ignorant chemist,) did not involve a question of paramount im portance to the public and profession, I should, not attempt to drag it forth from the obscurity in which it and its author ought to rest undisturbed. Assurance and ignorance are seldom found apart, like the "Siamese youths," aseparation cannot be effected without probably terminating the ex istence of both, and so obstinately tenacious are they of their situation, that "the constant reading" of what? Of the London Medical and Surgical Journal?!! has not succeeded in expelling them from the cranium of your correspondent." He is "surprised you have glaringly departed from the principles you professed and practiced." Good modest man! no doubt he is!! the shock was sudden, and its effects instantaneous; the perplexity he is thrown into is evident, he forgets his situation, neglects to serve a customer with a dose of salts! and becomes suddenly tráng. mogrified into an author!!! But the adage still holds good, "natura expellas fauca licet usqui recurrit.'' He has an eye to trade, he takes the surgeon, the apothecary, and ignorant chemist, mixes them up, and amalgamates bodies distinct and dif ferent from one another. Your "tirades" and "charges of ignorance" he dissolves, decomposes, and precipitates. Having so far disposed of your leading article, and elated with success and self approbation, he is determined to shew, that so far from being "uneducated and ignorant”” he " is able and obliged to correct the prescriptions of medical men daily"!!! 2x2 |