TO CORRESPONDENTS.

to his house, No. 25, LLOYD SQUARE.

THE EDITOR is at home every day until One o'clock; and on the evenings of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from Seven till Nine.

THE PEOPLE'S MEDICAL JOURNAL AND FAMILY PHYSICIAN, Vol. III., elegantly and strongly bound, gilt lettered, uniform with Vols. I. and II., will be ready for delivery July 1, price (with Glossary) 4s. 3d. Volumes I. and II. are on sale, price 4s.

F. HARLOW (Whittlesea).—We believe the chloride of zinc is the best antiputrefactive agent we possess, especially for the preservation of animal substances for anatomical purposes; it does not injure the instruments, and is free from all unpleasant odour.

H. T. F. (Cambridge).—If you refer to the papers on PURGATIVES in PHARMACOLOGY, Vol. I. of this Journal, you will find between twenty and thirty prescriptions for "Opening Medicine,” in the form of pills, mixtures, powders, and draughts.

P.E. (Dovecote).-The symptoms you now complain of are, in all probability, the result of the imprudent use of mercury, not of the disease for which the mercury was taken. You must send your address. THOMAS F. KIDD.-The practice of physicians deriving profit from the sale of the medicines they prescribe, cannot be too much reprobated. It is admitted that whilst "a general practitioner" (as apothecaries are strangely called) may supply medicine to his patients, he should derive his reward or payment solely from the medical advice which he gives, not from the sale of his phials, corks, labels, and coloured water. A medical man should not be considered a tradesman. Physicians and surgeons who "give advice gratis," and send their prescriptions to some favoured druggist-sharing with the druggist the proceeds for dispensing them-obtain credit for being charitable, whilst in fact they are mercenary.

FEDORA may be certain that we approve of "Lamplough's Pyretic Salts," otherwise we should not permit the advertisement to appear in our columns. See an able article on their merits in this number.

MRS. DODD.-You will find an article on the treatment of CRAMP, in No. 41, page 116, Vol. II.

A DYSPEPTIC (Blandford Square).-Read the paper on FooD in No. 23, page 177, Vol. I.

FRANCIS H. (Digberth, Birmingham).-Our exposure of the vile "Advertising Consulting Surgeons," appeared in Nos. 2, 7, 24, 33.

A POOR WEAVER.-Read carefully the article on PROLAPSUS ANI, in No. 65. A. H. (Southampton).—We are obliged by your inquiry and condolence, and regret to say we have not yet recovered the missing articles. THE EDINBURGH COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS has lately announced that "No fellow of this College, or any other physician, can by any possibility, without derogating from his own honour, and from the honour of the profession, meet practitioners of homeopathy in consultation, or co-operate with them in the other common duties of professional life." This is as it should be, and we hope the Corporate Medical Bodies throughout the kingdom will adopt a like resolution. JOHN BURKITT (Hampton Street, Walworth) asks for advice in an unpaid letter!

ALFRED B. (Northampton).-The only distinction between the person you mention and the Jew quacks, is, that he possesses some diploma, and was educated as a medical man. The others were originally orange boys in the purlieus of Spitalfields and Drury Lane. MISERY.-Send your address.

A CRIPPLE. The new Orthopedic Hospital will soon be opened. The medical staff will consist of some of the first surgeons in the kingdom. We have heard many murmurs against the direction of the other institution, and have more than once noticed them in our Journal. MARIANNE (Douglas, Isle of Man).-Take sulphate of iron, sulphate of quinine, of each half a drachm; powdered gum myrrh, one scruple; extract of gentian, a drachm. Mix, and divide into thirty pills, of which take one twice a day. For Diet and General Management, see the fourth article ON THE DISEASES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN, in No. 34, page 56, Vol. II.

AN ASTHMATIC (Nelson Square).-You will find the conium and nitric acid prescription, in YEOMAN ON ASTHMA, of some benefit to you. The efficacy of all remedies become diminished by constant use. AN ANXIOUS FATHER.---Under the circumstances you name, your son is totally unfit for his duties as an infantry soldier. His age and strength considered, it is impossible he can carry the arms, clothing, and necessaries, which amount to about 60lbs. weight, without much injury. If you can raise the money, buy him out.

ROBERT SMALL (Hitchin).-You will find our opinion of cod-liver oil in the answer to D. R. J. (Park Square, Regent's Park), in No. 33.

more agreeable, than ripe strawberries. Rub the teeth and gums with them daily whilst they are in season, and you will thank us for the hint. H. MOORHOUSE (Austin Friars).-A note shall be left for you as requested. "Man's life is a journey, and the domestic charities are the only true anti-attrition.""-Goëthe. RICHARD HOLT (Newgate Market).—We agree with you as to healthiness of butchers, but disagree with you as to the wholesomeness of Smithfield. We believe we are correct in saying not a single instance is on record of a butcher having been admitted into the Fever Hospital.

ABSOLON (Teignmouth).-You will find all the information you ask for, which is designedly omitted in the Journal, in the DISEASES OF ERROR, published by Mr. Vickers, and sold "Everywhere." The price is 4d., by post 6d.

A

B.

J.

COUNTRY SUBSCRIBER (?)—Your sister's case can only be advised on at a personal consultation.

"

H. (Skinner's Street, Somers Town).-We can only repeat our former answer. If you value "time" and £. s. d. more than you value health, the prudence or the imprudence of so doing will affect you, not us. K. (Ipswich).-We could "suggest something to remove "those unsightly eruptions," but are not disposed to do so in your case, for a reason with which, if you are a reader of this Journal, you must be perfectly familiar.

ONE WHO HAS BEEN ROBBED.-We have before cautioned our readers against the "small bill" dentists. You have no redress; you have paid the money, and must keep the teeth as an emblem of your folly in trusting in the faith of Jewish empirics.

R.

R. (Sloane Street, Chelsea).—Apply to Mr. Smith, truss-maker, in High

Holborn.

PRECEPTOR.-We are obliged by your compliment; we always endeavour to make our 66 answers to correspondents" as intelligible as possible, and especially avoid every thing that can detract from the position of our Journal as a Family Journal. The "answers" in two or three of our contemporaries, devoted to general literature, have not escaped our notice; we deplore the bad taste that dictates them, and the morbid taste of the readers who delight in them.

M.

(Bermondsey Road). There was a person named Turnbull, a tanner (!), residing in that locality, who three or four years since appeared in the Gazette as a bankrupt-we believe he is the same person.

BRISTOL.-Mr. Reed, 67, West Parade, desires us to add his name to our list of Country Agents.

D. RAE (Stracy Street, Commercial Road).—"Metallic Salts" are oxides combined with the acids; they are of a saline nature, generally soluble in water, and crystallizable. They are named from the acid, and the metal with the oxide of which it is combined, as sulphate of iron, nitrate of silver, &c., meaning sulphate of the oxide of iron, &c.

THOMAS B. (Castle Street, Liverpool).-Abstinence from fluids must be injurious. Drink is as essential as food itself; pure water is refreshing, cooling, and dilutes the blood; which without some diluent would become too thick to move readily along its containing vessels. ADAM ADAMS (Southsea Terrace).-As a general rule, farinaceous food, especially when cooked with milk, distends the stomach with flatulence. L. W. (Stanley Street, Brompton).-Your's is the old tale; we therefore give you the old answers-We do not advise in such cases without seeing the patient when his residence is so near to our own as is your's; we never notice such cases in the Journal; and all such cases are fee

cases.

TO DISTRICT LETTER CARRIERS.-We are anxious to obtain the address of - Fraser, who, in 1849, was a letter carrier, Hammersmith District, and resided, at that date, at No. 7, Munden Street, Hammersmith Road. EDWIN THOMPSON (Bristol).—The sample of "food" you enclosed is stale and sour, and quite unfit for food. Nevill's Arabica Food is sold at 1s. per pound, not 1s. 8d., as you say you paid for the compound now before us. We do not know the name of Messrs. Nevill's agent in your city. Write to them.

HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK.-During the last week 961 deaths were registered. Hooping-cough carried off 47 children; measles 39; scarlet fever 15; and typhus 46. These epidemics show rather more than the usual amount of fatality, with the exception of scarlatina, which does not seem to have been prevailing much of late. 146 persons died of consumption, 64 of bronchitis; 71 of inflammation of the lungs ; 6 of pleurisy; and 9 of asthma. The births registered amounted to 1446 children; 735 boys, 711 girls.

London: Printed by JOHN CATCH POOL, of 35, Great Percy Street, Pentonville, at his
Printing Office, Pemberton Row, Gough Square, for the proprietor, T. H. YEOMAN,
Lloyd Square; and published by GEORGE VICKERS, 28 & 29, Holywell Street,
the parish of St. Clement Danes, Strand.-Saturday, June 21, 1851.

FRACTURE is a term used by surgeons to express the division of a bone into one or more pieces, produced in general by external force, but, occasionally, by the powerful action of muscles, as is often exemplified in broken patella (the knee-pan).

The long bones, as the bones of the thigh, leg, arm, and fore-arm, are particularly subject to be broken, and mostly at their middle part. They may, however, be fractured near their extremities.

Fractures are either simple or compound, according as they are accompanied with an external wound, communicating with the ends of the bones or otherwise.

If the bone is broken in two or more pieces, and there is not an external wound, communicating with the fractured edges of the bone, the fracture is still called simple: and on the other hand, if the bone is broken in but one place, and there is an outward wound, the accident is termed a compound fracture. Large wounds may occur at the same time with fractures, but unless these communicate with the bone, they are not called compound fractures.

WITH A SUPPLEMENT, PRICE TWOPENCE.

are the subject of the injury, that it cannot be said there is any one which is invariably attendant on such cases, and characteristically confined to them. The writers of systems of surgery have usually noticed loss of motion in the injured limb, deformity, swelling, tension, pain, &c., as forming the general diagnosis of fractures. Nevertheless it is perfectly possible that fractures may not prevent the motion of the part, nor occasion outward deformity; and although there may be, at first, pain in the situation of a fracture, yet no swelling or tension may ensue for some time afterwards.

When, therefore, a limb is broken, and the accident is not manifest from the distortion of the part, it is proper to trace, with the fingers, the outlines of the suspected bone: if it be the tibia, or shinbone, we should examine with the fingers whether there is any inequality along the anterior surface, and along the sharp front edge of that bone. If it be the clavicle, or collar-bone, we must trace the super

Fractures are said to be complicated when they are attended with diseases, or accidents, which render the indications of treatment more numerous, and require the employment of different remedies, or the practice of sundry operations, for the accomplishment of the cure. Thus fractures may be complicated with severe bruises and contusions, wounds of the soft parts around the broken bone, injury of large bloodvessels, a dislocation, or diseases, and particular states of the constitution, as the scurvy, rickets, syphilis, pregnancy, &c., which retard the formation of new bone, and render the union of the fracture more difficult.

Some of the symptoms of fractures are very equivocal. The pain and inability to move the limb may arise from a mere bruise, a dislocation, or other cause. The crepitus, that is, the crackling, or grating sensation, or noise occasioned by pressing the finger upon the parts over the broken ends of a bone, the change in the form of the limb, and the shortening of it, are the most decided signs; the crepitus, in particular, is the principal symptom to be depended upon. The signs of fractures, however, are so exceedingly various, according to the bones which

DD

ner. Wherever any unusual pain occurs, or

any unnatural irregularity appears, it is probable we shall discover a grating, or crepitus, on endeavouring to make one end of the fractured bone rub or move against the other. When the arm or the thigh is broken, a crepitus is felt almost as soon as the limb is touched, and, in the case of a broken thigh, there is a considerable shortening of the extremity, unless, as sometimes happens, the bone is fractured transversely. But when there are two bones, as in the leg and the fore-arm, and only one is broken, the other continues to prevent the limb from being shortened and thrown out of its natural shape, so that a crepitus can only be felt by a very careful examination with the fingers.

In some kinds of fractures the broken bone is so surrounded with thick fleshy parts, that it is very difficult to feel a crepitus, or ascertain the existence of the injury. Some fractures of the neck of the thigh-bone, unattended with much retraction of the limb, are circumstances illustrative of this observation.

In reference to the examination of fractured parts, the late Mr. Samuel Cooper makes the following humane remarks:-He

says, "I am aware that considerable harm, and great unnecessary pain, have been occasioned in the practice of surgery, by an over-officious care to feel the grating of fractured bones, and, whenever the case is sufficiently evident to the eyes, I cannot refrain from censuring those practitioners who indulge their own ill-judged habits at the expense of torture to the unfortunate patient. A fracture is an injury that is necessarily attended with a great deal of pain, and followed by more or less swelling and inflammation; and to increase these evils by roughly or unnecessarily handling the part, is both ignorantly cruel and, if I may use the expression, unsurgical."

The prognosis, that is, predicting what will be the termination of the accident, whether the bones will unite kindly or not, -varies according to the bone injured, what part of it is broken, the direction of the fracture, and what other mischief is complicated with the case. Fractures of bones which have many strong muscles inserted into them, are more difficult of cure than those of other bones which have not so many powers attached to them capable of disturbing the fractured ends.

The fracture of the middle part of a long bone is less dangerous than a similar injury near a joint with which the bone is articulated, for the reasons we have already mentioned. Oblique fractures are more troublesome and difficult of cure than transverse ones, because an oblique surface does not resist the retraction of the lower portion of the broken bone, and, consequently, it is very difficult to keep the ends of the fractured bone applied to each other. Fractures complicated with a violent contusion of the soft parts, or with a wound, rendering them compound ones, are much more dangerous than others free from such additional accident. Fractures of the leg are generally more serious than similar injuries of the upper extremity.

In a debilitated old man a fracture is less likely to end well than in a healthy child or strong young subject. A scrofulous constitution will always delay the union. There are certain indescribable constitutions in which bones, more particularly those of the upper arm, will not unite after being broken. Many circumstances having direct reference to the general state of the health, bear a direct influence on the bony union of fractured bones. Sir Benjamin Brodie says "In most instances I cannot doubt that the want of union is to be traced to a peculiar state of the constitution. A gentleman was growing fat, and not liking to do so, he placed himself on a very spare diet, though accustomed to good living previously. After six months of starvation, he broke his arm, and the bone would not unite. I saw him many months afterwards, and there was scarcely any union, even by soft substance. Another patient about whom I was consulted, a lady, also was growing corpulent, and she also thought that she might prevent it by pursuing a similar system of diet. Some months afterwards she broke her forearm, and union did not take place. A young man had been for many months living very low on account of a complaint under which he laboured, and under these circumstances broke both bones of his forearm. At the end of several months there was no union. Cases of disunited fracture are not very common, yet here are three among those which have fallen under my observation, in which the want of union seems clearly to be traced to the bad state of the constitution, produced by abstinence from food. A man broke his thigh; his bowels were costive, and his surgeon allowed him to remain without an evacuation for ten days after the accident, and in him the broken bones did not unite. We cannot be certain that it was this long-continued costiveness which prevented the union of the fracture, but it seems probable that it was so."

The process by which broken bones grow together again, is nearly of the same nature as that by which the soft parts are

united in wounds. The only difference is, that in uniting a fracture, the vessels, after a time, deposit the phosphate of lime, which, as we have already described, is the chief constituent of bone.* The minute vessels ramifying on the ends of the fracture, first effuse coagulating lymph; this gradually becomes vascular, and in proportion as the vessels acquire the power of secreting earthy matter, it is by degrees converted into new bone, termed callus, which, from being at first soft and flexible, at length becomes firm and unyielding, like the original bone, and fit for constituting the future bond of union between the two extremities of the fracture. In order that the first connecting substance may speedily become organized, and fitted for the formation of callus, nothing is so essential as perfect quietude. Hence the chief surgical indication in the treatment of fractures, after the bones are replaced, is to keep them perfectly motionless: nature will complete the rest.

The general treatment of fractures embraces three principal indications. The first is to reduce the pieces of bone into their natural situation. The second is to secure and keep them in this state. And the third is to prevent any adverse symptoms likely to arise,-and to relieve them when they have come on. We now proceed to notice the fractures of individual bones, and as it is of very frequent occurrence, the first we shall describe is

BROKEN COLLAR-BONE: FRACTURED CLAVICLE.

This bone being long and slender, unsupported at its middle, and protected externally only by the integuments, is very often broken. There is little difficulty in detecting this accident; the shoulder is usually drawn forward, and that portion of the bone which is attached to the breast-bone projects over the other fractured extremity, and the bump or ridge thus occasioned may be distinctly felt by tracing the finger along the course of the bone.

Generally speaking, the fracture of the collar-bone is single, that is, it consists of one fracture only, and that is more fre quently in its middle; but in the case of a violent blow, the bone may be broken at more than one place, and there may be also great injury done to the surrounding parts.

It is very easy to reduce or "set" a fractured clavicle; but the difficulty rests in retaining the fractured ends in exact appo, sition, so as to produce an union without deformity. To effect this, we must proceed as follows:-The arms and shoulders of the patient are to be firmly drawn backwards by an assistant, when the fractured extremities of the bone immediately come in apposition. A pad or cushion, stuffed with horse-hair or flock, five or six inches long and about three and a half thick, must be placed high up the hollow of the arm-pit, and retained in this situation by two tapes attached to the corners of the base, which cross the back and breast, and are tied on the shoulder of the other arm. A bandage, or roller, is next to be turned two or three times round the arm immediately above the elbow, and the ends carried round the chest and there firmly tied, so as to keep the elbow close to the side. Some surgeons prefer the stellate, or figure of 8 bandage, but this is more complicated, more heating, and does not always keep the arm in exact quietude. The elbow and forearm are now to be put in a short siing, so as well to support the arm and prevent its dragging; the sling must be tied on the opposite shoulder, and the bone is set. The bandages thus applied should not be removed for three weeks or a month. (To be continued.)

* Pages 1, 97, Vol. iij.

HUMAN BODY.

BY THE EDITOR.

No. XXV. THE DIAPHRAGM, OR MIDRIFF The Diaphragm (B, fig. iii.) is a broad, thin muscle, forming a vaulted partition between the chest and the abdomen. Its form is nearly circular, it is fleshy at its circumference, tendinous or aponeurotic in the middle. In front it is attached to the ensiform, or sword-like cartilage at the extremity of the breastbone; at the sides to the internal surface of the last six ribs; behind to the transverse processes of the first lumbar vertebra; by its left pillar to the bodies of the first three vertebræ of the back, and by its right pillar to the bodies of the first four.

The upper surface of the diaphragm is connected with the pericardium, or bag containing the heart, the mediastinum, and the pleura; it supports the heart and the base of the lungs. The lower surface, at the back, is in contact with the kidneys, the sub-renal capsules, the pancreas, or sweet-bread, and the duodenum or first portion of the small intestines: on the right side it forms a "roof" for the liver; on the left side it is in contact with the spleen and stomach; in its whole extent it is covered by the peritoneum. The form of the diaphragm, its situation, and the relative position of the organs just named, are well shown in the engraving to which we have referred, in No. 55.

The partition formed by the diaphragm between the thorax and the abdomen, though complete, is moveable; for as the diaphragm descends in inspiration and ascends in expiration, it proportionately enlarges or diminishes the cavities between which it is placed; consequently, the actual magnitude of these cavities varies every moment, and the size of the one is always in the inverse ratio to the other.

It will be seen that this singular muscle passes like an arch over the contents of the abdomen, descending, however, much further behind than before. Its convexity is directed upwards into the chest, so that its contraction, tending to draw it downwards and more nearly to a plane surface, must evidently enlarge the capacity of the chest, and diminish that of the abdomen. Any person may obtain a good idea of this muscle, by picturing to himself a vaulted partition stretching completely across his body, attached in front where he can feel the termination of his breast bone, thence along the sides to the margin of the ribs, and behind to the spine as low down as the top of the loins.

Those of our readers who have followed us through our preceding articles on ANATOMY, will comprehend that this muscular partition must have some openings in it for the transmission of parts that run from the chest to the abdomen, and pass up from the abdomen to the chest. The gullet or oesophagus runs from the mouth along the back part of the chest to the stomach which is in the abdomen; it therefore penetrates the diaphragm, and a distinct hole is left for its passage. A separate aperture is formed to afford an exit from the chest for the aorta, the common source of the arteries carrying blood to the abdomen and lower extremities-and of this opening the thoracic duct takes advantage to pass up, conveying the chyle to the vein which is to pour it into the heart. A third aperture is also necessary, for the vena cava must bring back to the heart the blood which the aorta took out. This third aperture accordingly exists :reason never evinces a want for which examination does not produce a corresponding structure; and this it is, that makes the argument taken from the evidences of Design so perfect and irresistible."

:

The diaphragm performs a most important office in the phe

FEVERS.

BY THE EDITOR.

No. V.

(Continued from page 124.)

CONTINUED MIXED FEVER.

MIXED FEVER is a compound of the ordinary inflammatory fever of our climate and typhus.

The general symptoms of mixed fever are nearly the same as those constitutional symptoms which usually attend intense local inflammation. There is at first quickness of pulse, increased heat of the body, diminution of the secretions, and, from the latter circumstance, thirst, dryness of the skin, scanty and highcoloured urine, and costiveness: the patient is restless and watchful. In some cases there is at the commencement of the attack, as also happens at the onset of inflammation and of intermittent fever, instead of heat of the body, a general feeling of chilliness, amounting even to rigors, with paleness of the countenance and surface, and a small, irritable pulse. Should these symptoms take place, they continue but for a short time, and soon give way to symptoms of excitement, which may last throughout the disease, or as we frequently observe, they become blended with signs of great debility; great prostration of strength then comes on, and the attack assumes the form of typhus.

In an attack of mixed fever there is from the commencement more pain and disorder in the head, than when constitutional symptoms occur in simple fever. There is generally more or less confusion, with giddiness and drowsiness, or even stupor. From the first there is pain in the loins, complete loss of appetite, and lassitude: the countenance is usually expressive of heaviness, anxiety, and uneasiness; sometimes the patient is pale in the face, at others the face is flushed, and the eyes appear red. Frequently there is great heat in the head, the arteries are felt to throb, and greatly increase the distress of the invalid; there is usually pain in the forehead; the tongue becomes yellow, then brown and dry, and is invariably tremulous.

When these symptoms occur quickly and acutely, they denote the existence of continued fever of a grave type; and if there be a strong tendency to inflammation in any part or organ previously to the attack, such part will be likely to be attacked with inflammation during the disease.

Climate has a material influence in determining the seat of accidental complications of fever. In hot climates, where a strong disposition exists to abdominal disease, inflammation of the stomach or intestinal canal is a very frequent companion of this degree of fever; giving rise to the enormous vomitings, often ⚫

of grumous matters, which obtains the name of Black Vomit, and to dysenteric purgings, that so often appear as the attendants of fever in those climates. The liver is another part so disposed, and consequently this organ is frequently attacked by inflammation during the continuance of fever; and the bile, in some of these cases, being obstructed in its passage into the duodenum (the first portion of the small intestines), and subsequently absorbed into the blood vessels, occasions the yellowness that has given origin to the term Yellow Fever, a confliction that is altogether accidental. Even in temperate climates, the abdominal viscera do not always escape. Indeed, in a large proportion of cases of protracted fever in this country, inflammation arises either in the peritorial coat of the intestines, or in the mucous membrane, the latter frequently resulting from the improper use of violent purging medicines. Towards the end of long and hot summers, such combinations of fever with abdominal inflammation are extremely frequent, and the liver partaking in the disease, its secretion is disturbed, and often greatly increased, so as to occasion vomiting or purging, or both. Such are usually termed Bilious Fevers. Cholera morbus itself is most frequently a combination of fever, with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the whole alimentary canal. In winter and spring, on the other hand, fever is found combined with the prevailing disease of those seasons, such as catarrh, inflammation of the lungs, pleurisy, or rheumatism.

The treatment of this type of fever has been already described in the previous articles on FEVERS: nevertheless we will recapitulate the leading points to be observed. In the commencement it will be necessary cautiously to lower the powers of the patient in the manner laid down for the treatment of inflammatory fever. The bowels should be freely moved by a mercurial purge, followed by some saline aperient, as the common seidlitz powder, or Lamplough's Pyretic Saline; saline antimonial medicine should be administered, and the patient kept as tranquil and as cool as possible. The utmost caution, however, must be employed in the use of those means which depress the tone of the system; and bleeding, or even the application of leeches, should never be ordered without the necessity for deplepletion appears to be imperative, for we may, by too heroic or too rash treatment, so reduce the strength of the patient, that he will not have left sufficient power to combat the succeeding stage of the attack, which requires the treatment advised to be pursued in typhust.

The complications of fever, as inflammation of the brain, the lungs, the stomach, &c., demand the peculiar treatment adapted for each. An octogenarian physician of the present day says, "Fever is sometimes rendered more dangerous by such combinations, sometimes the contrary; the secondary affection, as it would seem, counteracting in some degree the disease in the brain, so as to reduce its violence. Thus, if inflammation arises in the stomach, or general structure of the intestines, or the peritoneum, in the course of fever, the danger is greatly enhanced; and to this cause apparently is chiefly owing the extreme fatality of the fevers of hot climates. Even with us, the occurrence of peritonitis during fever, is a very unfavourable circumstance, and adds much to the danger of the disease; whereas slight diarrhoea, or catarrh, or rheumatism, exerts rather a favourable influence over the disease. In treating such cases we are to consider whether the complication, or secondary disease, be favourable or unfavourable. If this should occur in a safe part, it should rather be encouraged, or at all events not hastily suppressed; thus a gentle diarrhoea tends powerfully to mitigate the brain affection, whilst the hasty suppression of it, by opium

* No. 55, Vol. 3, page 18. + No. 57, Vol. 3, page 35.

At the last sitting at the Academy of Medicine at Paris, M. Orfila's report on nicotine was read.

As a

According to this document, nicotine was discovered in 1809 by Vauquelin, and it is to be found in different kinds of nicotiana, in various proportions. Havannah tobacco contains 2 per cent., that of the Nord 6, Virginia nearly 7, and that of Lot 8. Smokers, by inhaling the fumes of tobacco, introduce into their system a certain quantity (though small) of poisonous matter. Pure nicotine has the appearance of an oily transparent liquid, of a pale yellow colour, which after exposure, turns to brown. It is very hot to the taste, and its acrid smell slightly resembles that of tobacco; but when volatilized by heat it throws out characteristic vapours, which are so oppressive that breathing becomes difficult in a room where a drop of the liquid has been spilt. poisonous substance nicotine possesses excessive power. In experiments made about 10 years ago, in 10 minutes M. Orfila killed many dogs, on the tongues of which he had applied five drops of this alkali; with 12 drops death ensued in two minutes. But this powerful poison cannot escape the investigation of men of art. Pure nicotine (according to the conclusions of Messrs. Orfila and Stas) has certain characters by which it is detected as easily as a mineral poison. It can be discovered in the digestive channel, and its existence therein proved, though that channel contain but a few drops. And even when the poisonous substance has been absorbed, when it has passed into the other organs, it can still be discovered in those organs, and especially in the liver.

M. Stas, by making use of a third method on the body of Gustave Fougnies, extracted nicotine from the tongue, the stomach, and liquid contained therein; he also found some in the liver and lungs. He moreover obtained it from the wood flooring of the dining-room in which Gustave died, although that flooring had been washed with soap, oil, and warm water: and in his learned investigation the Belgian toxicologist had received no indication from the Judge d'Instruction. Before he was informed that Bocarmé had been making experiments relative to tobacco and nicotine, he had already found that the poison introduced into the body of the victim was neither sulphuric acid (as had been supposed) nor acetic acid, but either conicine or nicotine.

The progress which medical jurisconsults have made recently is so great, that poisoning by morphine, strychnine, prussic acid, and other vegetable substances, hitherto regarded as inaccessible to our means of investigation, may now be detected and recognized in the most incontestable manner.

M. Orfila, in closing his notice, might well say," After these results of judicial medical investigation, the public need be under no apprehension. No doubt intelligent and clever criminals, with the view to thwart the surgeons, will sometimes have recourse to very active poisons little known by the mass and difficult of detection, but science is on the alert, and soon overcomes all difficulty; penetrating into the utmost depths of our orgaffs, it brings out the proof of the crime, and furnishes one of the greatest pieces of evidence against the guilty."-Galignani's Messenger.