TO CORRESPONDENTS. NOTICE.-All communications for the Editor must be addressed, pre-paid, to his house, No. 25, LLOYD-Square. LETTERS RECEIVED.-EUSEBIUS (Norwich).-HENRICUS M. W. (Maccles THE EDITOR is at home every day until One o'clock; and on the evenings J. ASHTON. of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from Seven till Nine. A Glossary or Dictionary of Medical Terms, uniform with the PEOPLE'S MEDICAL JOURNAL, will be published as a Supplement with No. 65,—(issued March 30). The price, for the Number and Supplement, will be three-pence. It is requested that orders may be immediately given to all news-agents in London and the provinces, as our impression of the number will be limited. The People's Medical Dictionary, a small volume, bound in strong cloth, price 1s., will be published May 1st. TO NEWS AGENTS.-We shall be glad to receive the names and addresses of those whom we have omitted in our list published in No. 62. VOLS. I. and II. of the PEOPLE'S MEDICAL JOURNAL are now ready, price 4s. each, bound in strong and elegant cloth, gilt lettered. CASES for binding Vols. I. and II. may be obtained of all news-agents, price 1s. 3d. each, in strong and elegant cloth, gilt lettered, BACK NUMBERS.-There should not be any difficulty in procuring back numbers to completo volumes, or numbers containing certain articles. They are always on sale by our publisher, and any delay that arises must be consequent on some forgetfulness on the part of the local book seller or his town-agent. THE Index to Vol. I. was published with No. 26. The Index to Vol. II with No. 52. NERVOUSNESS will be resumed in our next. THOMAS HANSON (Liverpool). On the authority of Dr. Allnatt we offer you the following mode of treating your deafness:-Syringe the ears with tepid water, then paint the whole surface of the canal of the ear with the following preparation:-Take, compound camphor liniment, one ounce; inspissated ox gall, one drachm. Mix. RICHARD RICHARDS (Belper).-We have reason to believe there will be a legislative restriction upon the sale of arsenic and other poisons. The late bustle in Downing-street may have shelved the bill for a few weeks, but it will be brought before parliament soon after Easter. CONSTIPATION (Lambeth).-You will find directions for making ABERNETHY'S APERIENT MIXTURE, in No. 16. T. S. S.-We detailed the treatment required in your daughter's case, in No. 34; article CHLOROSIS, or GREEN-SICKNESS. MARK TAPLEY (Pickering).—Take four grains of blue pill, and six of the compound extract of colocynth made into two pills, twice a week, for four doses. Avoid strong waters. J. HARDY (Manchester),-Asks for the Editor's "best advice." The Editor only offers advice of one quality-the price of which is one guinea per consultation. A. muriated tincture of iron. W. (Leytonstone).-We decline advising without seeing you. AN ARTISAN (Hooper Street, Westminster).-Paint the wart with the C. J. (Edinburgh).-We thank you for your suggestion, which we will adopt. Messrs. Robinson, Greenside Street, have been supplied with an abundance of bills, show-cards, &c., which they should distribute. MARIA (Northampton Square).-See answer to C. C. in No. 61. The first clause in the sentence will apply to your case. CHIRURGO (Whitby).--Like yourself, we are puzzled by Mr. Robert Ripley's description of the supposed case of infanticide as he has reported it. What can he mean by "I made out the aorta”? M. W. (Edinburgh).-To give you the instructions you require, would A MODEL, OR A MONSTER?-Passing down Berners Street on Thursday occupy two columns. We cannot spare this space to one individual. afternoon, we saw a thing whose face was covered with hair like the poor chimpanzee, and whose heels were armed (footed) with spurs like a bantam cock. The crowd gazed at the nondescript: we saw it enter its den, and discovered that the animal was the original A "-a Quack garbed in beard and spurs! The creature certainly cannot depend upon his appearance-imposing though it beas a help to dupe the poor fools who are lured by his obscene advertisements. He looked like a Montague Tigg adventurer. SUFFERER (Hampton, late Norwood).-We are much pleased that the advice we tendered to you in No. 11, has been of so much benefit, and that it has stood the test of twelve months' experience. For your EDGAR OF EDGEWARE.-Apply to Mr. Smith, Truss Maker. new complaint, see answer to HENRY (Bryanstone Square) in No. 60. W. W. M.-We will accept your proposal. D. OBITER DICTUM.-We shall insert your letter in our next publication, if possible. (Coventry). We will assist you if we can, for we love birds. The following is the best way to prepare "German paste:" Beat together half a pound of pease flour, four ounces of blanched almonds, half an ounce of fresh butter, the yolk of a fresh egg, with a litle honey, and ten grains of saffron. Heat the mass gently, and pass it through a seive to form it into grains. RICHARD CROSS (Easton Road, Bristol).-Chondros is the Greek word for cartilage; hence chondroma a fibro-cartilginous tumour on the brain. W. X. Y. (Liverpool).-The best account of the properties and qualities of different articles of diet is to be found in "Pareira on Food,"-the price, however, is high, being 20s. INFLUENZA. A detailed history of the symptoms, effects, and treatment ol the epidemic that is now so prevalent will be found in Vol. I. pp. 34, 44, Nos. 5 and 6. OMEGA. The profession is already overstocked; banish your yearning. A J. DAVIS (Morristown).-Read YEOMAN ON INDIGESTION. "Antibilious pills," in nine instances out of each ten in which they are used, do more harm than good. Desist from "quacking" yourself. P. H. H. (Manchester).—Dash the lower part of the body with cold water night and morning. Your letter is deficient in many important particulars. G. F. C. (Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich).—For your child refer to answer to AN ANXIOUS MOTHER in No. 61. A YOUNG STUDENT (St. George's Hospital).-We are most pleased to learn that our publications are "beneficial to the rising branches of the profession." We are overwhelmed with_labour, and really cannot engage in the literary task you suggest. The time may come when all our original articles that have appeared in the PEOPLE'S MEDICAL JOURNAL, will be published in a volume or in parts-" free from Notices to Correspondents, Advertisements, and other matters not immediately connected with medical subjects." Accept our thanks, and we beg to reciprocate your kind feeling. PORTSMOUTH AND PORTSEA.-Mr. J. D. Leggatt, Landport, writes to us to say he always keeps on hand a stock of the back numbers of our Journal. KIDDERMINSTER.-Mr. W. S. Roberts, bookseller, Audley Street, also keeps the People's Medical Journal, and Dr. Yeoman's other publications. A COUNTRYMAN.-Will you refer to answer to ROBERT HAWSON in No. 7? CROSS (King Square, Goswell Road).—Take, sulphate of zinc, four grains; tincture of calumba, one ounce; infusion of quassia, seven ounces. Mix.-Dose, three table-spoonsful every four hours. This is a valuable tonic in cases similar to yours. For the proper diet refer to page 151, Vol. II, No. 42. DELTA (Lisson Grove).-Take, four grains of the sulphate of quinine, two hours before the anticipated attack. HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK.-The mortality of London is now greater than is generally observed at this period of the year. Total number of deaths 1148. In the ten corresponding weeks of 1841-50, there is no instance in which they equalled this amount. The present increase affects both young and old, but especially per sons in the middle stage of existence. Deaths from zymotic or epidemic diseases, 223; small-pox was fatal in 19 cases, measles in 36, scarlatina in 19, hooping-cough, which still predominates in this class, and considerably exceeds the average, in 66. Diarrhoea numbers 17; while to fever, which happily has declined, 31 are ascribed. Two children, 3 persons of middle age, and three who had turned 60 years, died of influenza; being more than the usual weekly number at this season. Of the nineteen cases in which small-pox was fatal, 12 occurred under 15 years of age, and the remaining 7 between 15 and 47. It appears that in four of the cases recorded vaccination had been performed, and that the ages of the patients were respectively 13, 21, 36, and 47 years. The births of 784 boys and 807 girls, in all 1591 children, were registered in the week. London: Printed by CHARLES ADAMS, at his Printing Office, 8 St. James's Walk, Clerkerwell, for the proprietor, T. H. YEOMAN, Lloyd Square; and published by GEORGE VICKERS, 28 and 29 Holywell Street, in the parish of St. Clement Danes, Strand. WE in this article to describe genepropose rally the situation of the various organs and structures of the body; to describe the different regions and the parts contained within them, and of which they are composed,—so that the reader may not be puzzled by such "thoracic region," "umbilical re terms as gion," &c. The NECK (A, fig. xxiv.) extends from the base of the skull to the commencement of the trunk; its bony column is composed of the seven cervical vertebræ within the neck are included the œsophagus or gullet; the larynx or organ of the voice; the trachea or windthe carotid and their pipe; the arteries, branches, carrying blood up to the face and brain; the veins, the jugular and their branches, bringing blood away from the face and head; and the nerves, proceeding from the brain, the spinal marrow, and the sympathetic; as well there are numerous small glands, and a large pair, the submaxillary, or those placed under the lower jaw. THE THORACIC The THORAX or CHEST REGION, extends from the neck to the diaphragm internally (B, fig. xxiv.), and is formed at the back by the dorsal vertebræ of the spine, laterally and in front by the ribs and breast-bone; it is protected at the back by the blade-bones and powerful muscles, and is braced at the upper and anterior part by the collar-bones; between each rib are muscles whieh materially assist in respiration, and render the walls of the chest complete. On the surface of the chest are the breasts, the M C M FIGURE XXIII. PRICE ONE PENNY. muscular partition, called the diaphragm, which forms the roof-if we may employ the expression, of the abdominal region. The ABDOMINAL REGION extends from the diaphragm to the base of the pelvis; it is bounded in front by the abdominal muscles; at the upper part of the side by the lower false ribs; at the lower part by the hipbones; at the back by the spine and the powerful muscles of the back. Internally it is lined by the important serous membrane, the peritonæum. For facility in description the abdomen is divided into three regions, namely the epigastric, the umbilical, and the hypogastric. The EPIGASTRIC REGION (C, fig. xxiv.) contains the middle portion of the stomach; the left lobe of the liver; the lobulus spigelii, or small lobe of the liver; the blood vessels proceeding to and from the liver; the pancreas, or sweet-bread; the coeliac axis, or first branch of the aorta, that supplies the intestines &c. with arterial blood; the semilunar ganglion of the sympathetic nerve; and a portion of the vena cava, or large vein that carries the venous blood to the right auricle of the heart; the aorta, the great artery of the heart; and the thoracic duct, the great trunk formed by the junction of the absorbent vessels which That carry to it material for new blood. portion of the abdomen which lies on either side of the epigastric region is termed the hypochondriac region. The RIGHT HYPOCHONDRIAC REGION contains the right lobe of the liver and the gall organs which, in the female, secrete milk. In THE ANTERIOR VIEW OF THE DIFFERENT REGIONS bladder; part of the duodenum, or first por ternally the chest is lined with the pleura. The thorax contains the lower part of the windpipe, and its divisions the bronchial tubes; the lungs; the heart, and its bag or sac, the pericardium; the large arteries proceeding from the heart, and the large veins proceeding to the heart. In two folds of the pleura, at the back of the heart, called the posterior mediastinum, the gullet continues The lower its course towards the stomach. boundary or floor of the chest is formed by a N OF THE BODY. A. The region of the neck. B. The chest, or thorax. I. The fore-arm. J. The wrist. L. The axilla, or arm-pit. N. The knee. O. The leg. P. The ankle. Q. The instep and foot. tion of the small intestines; the ascending colon, or first portion of the large intestines; the renal capsule, those triangular, yellowish bodies, lying over the kidneys; and a part of the right kidney. The LEFT HYPOCHONDRIAC REGION contains the large end of the stomach; the narrow extremity of the pancreas; the spleen; part of the colon; the renal capsule; and upper part of the kidney. The UMBILICAL REGION, or that region around the navel, (D, fig. xxiv.) contains the omentum and mesentery, folds or processes of the peritoneum; the transverse portion of the colon; and the convolution of the small intestines, the duodenum and the jejunum. THE HYPOGASTRIC REGION (E, fig. xxiv.) is occupied by the bladder and a portion of the omentum and small intestines. Behind the bladder lies the uterus, or womb, in the female; and the rectum, or last portion of the large intestines, in the male. The hypogastric region, like the epigastric region, is bounded on either side by parts to which separate names have been given, namely, the iliac regions. The RIGHT ILIAC REGION contains the cœcum, the first portion of the large intestines; the termination of the ilium, the last portion of the small intestines; and the commencement of the colon. The LEFT ILIAC REGION Contains the sigmoid flexure of the colon, and part of the descending colon. : rus, or arm. Below the iliac are the INGUINAL REGIONS-the groin which contain portions of the cœcum, and more superficially give passage to the arteries, veins and nerves belonging to the testicles it is here that rupture more frequently takes place. The SHOULDER (F, fig. xxiv.) consists of three bones, the scapula or blade-bone, the clavicle or collar-bone, and the humeThe joint is formed by several strong ligaments named according to their situations and attachments; and the head of the humerus is surrounded by and attached to the glenoid cavity of the blade-bone by a capsular ligament, which contains the synovia, or joint oil, as it is vulgarly called. The principal muscles of the shoulder are the deltoid, the large pectoral muscle, the sub-scapular, the teres major, the coraco-brachialis, &c. The ARM. (G, fig. xxiv.).—The osseous part consists of one bone, the humerus; the arteries are branches of the subclavian, the chief of which is the humeral artery; the veins are the brachial, the median, the basilic, and the cephalic; the nerves are, the median, which lies close to the bone,-(its situation may be readily demonstrated by the pain caused by pressure on the inner and middle part of the arm),—and its branches, the circumflex, &c. The muscles are the deltoid, the biceps, the triceps, the coraco-brachialis, &c. The ELBOW or OLECRANON (H, fig. xxiv.), the bones forming the joint are the humerus, the ulna, and the radius; the lower extremity of the former, and the upper extremities of the latter, are enveloped in a capsular ligament, and attached to each other by an external and internal lateral ligament. At the point of the ulna is a depression along which the ulnar nerve passes; it is this part that is called the "funny bony" and occasions such immense pain when struck or injured-the course of this nerve may be traced by the pain running down the arm to the middle, ring, and little finger. The FORE-ARM (I, fig. xxiv.) is composed of two bones, the ulna and radius, which in their course are partially attached to each other by an inter-osseous ligament-that is a ligament between bones. The arteries are the radial and the ulnar, with their branches; the veins, correspond with them, and take the same names; the nerves are the ulnar, the posterior branch of the musculo-spinal, the anterior branch of the same nerve, which is the proper radial nerve; the muscles, which derive their name from their action, are the supinators, the pronators, and the flexors. The WRIST (J, fig. xxiv.) is formed by the lower extremities of the bones of the fore-arm, and the three upper bones of the carpus; the ligaments which form the joint are, a capsular, an external and internal lateral, and a posterior and anterior ligament. The HAND (K, fig. xxiv.).-The hand is composed of many bones, which we have already described in No. 53;* they are bound together by numerous strong ligaments; each finger has three joints, the thumb only two; the arteries are branches of the ulnar and radial, and the nerves are chiefly derived from the ulnar. The ARM-PIT, or AXILLA (L, fig. xxiv.), is an important region, as it is here that the large blood-vessels and nerves issue from the trunk to supply the arm and fore-arm. The THIGH (M, fig. xxiv.) consists of one bone, the os femoris ; its superior part, or the head of the femur, is received into a cuplike cavity in the pelvis, forming the hip-joint, and is maintained there by several strong ligaments; the round ligament springs from the head of the bone, and is firmly attached to the socket, or acetabulum, formed in the os innominatum for its reception, (6. fig. ii.): the capsular ligament encloses the whole joint. The arteries of the thigh are chiefly derived from the chief artery, the femoral, which is a continuation of the external iliac artery, arising from the division of the aorta; the veins are the great and internal saphena: the chief nerves are the sciatic, the crural, and branches given off from the sacral plexus, and the musculo-cutaneous. The principal muscles are the tensor muscle, the pectinalis, the gracilis, the sartorius (or tailor's muscle, because it assists to "cross" the legs), the rectus, the vastus, and several strong and important muscles around the joint. The KNEE (N, fig. xxiv.) is the joint formed by the tibia, or large bone of the leg, and the condyles of the thigh-bone, firmly and well secured by ligaments, and protected by the patella or knee-cap. The knee-joint is the largest in the body; the whole circumference is surrounded by a capsular ligament, which in itself is very fine and weak, but receives considerable strength from additional fibres, termed accessory ligaments. Within the joint are two crucial ligaments, which pass from the depression between the condyles of the thigh-bone to the head of the tibia: placed upon the top of the tibia are two inter-articular cartilages, named the semilunar cartilages, from their shape being like a crescent. The patella is held in position by the tendons of the extensor muscles, which united forin what is called the ligament of the patella. In the inner or under side of the knee, in the part called the ham, the popliteal artery, which is a continuation of the femoral artery, passes, and then divides into the three principal arteries of the leg. The LEG (O, fig. xxiv.) has two bones, the tibia and the fibula; the arteries are the anterior tibial, which runs down alongside the shin-bone; the peroneal, which supplies the deep-seated muscles of the leg; and the posterior tibial, in the calf. The veins are the popliteal and the external saphena; the nerves are the popliteal, the tibial, the external fibular, and the internal tibial; the muscles are, the anterior tibial (tibialis anticus), the peroneus, the gastrocnemii) the tendon of which assists to form the tendo Achilles, attached to the heel), the extensor and flexor muscles of the toes, &c. The ANKLE (P, fig. xxiv.) is formed by the junction of the bones of the leg to those of the tarsus.† They are bound toge ther by remarkably strong ligaments, and the whole joint is sur rounded by a capsular membrane. The Foor (Q, fig. xxiv.) is composed of many bones, which we have already named. They are attached and held together by numerous ligaments, which obtain their names from their situstion and connexions; the arteries of the foot are chiefly derived from the anterior and posterior tibial; a large branch of the latter, named the external plantar artery, supplies the sole and toes the nerves are chiefly branches of the external and internal popliteal. We have now described in general terms, the bones composing the skeleton; the lungs, and the physiology of respiration; the heart, and the physiology of the circulation; the stomach, and the physiology of digestion; the brain, and the physiology of sensation and volition; and in this paper we have given a brief summary of the whole. In our next we purpose commening the minute anatomy of the body, and shall begin with the Bones. The illustration will be a superior drawing of the Cranium. CONCLUSIONS RESPECTING THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS EMPLOYMENTS IN INDUCING PULMONARY CONSUMP TION. I. THE ratio of cases of pulmonary consumption to those of other diseases is somewhat higher in persons following in-door occupations than in those working in the open air; and this rule applies to both sexes. It also holds good with regard to the deaths from consumption as compared to those from all other diseases. 2. Pulmonary consumption occurs at an earlier age in men following in-door occupations than in those following out-door occupations. The same rule holds good with regard to the deaths from consumption. medium degree of exertion, the least maximum in those demanding the greatest effort. 6. In the class of in-door occupations, with varied exercise, (a class including the footman, waiter, &c.) the ratio of cases of pulmonary consumption ranks next to that of the sedentary occupations, and the per centage proportion of consumptive cases occuring before 40, the per centage proportion of men so employed under that age, and the per centage proportion of deaths, are higher than in any of the other classes, while the average age of death is lower. This class, however, stands alone, inasmuch as young men are in great request, and old men comparatively little wanted. 7. The class of out door occupations requiring moderate exertion, present a higher per centage proportion of deaths under 40, and a corresponding excess of young men ; but the ratio of consumptive cases, and the per centage proportion of such cases occuring under 40, are lower than in the class requiring greater exertion. This apparent anomaly may probably be explained by the fact, that the attack of consumption is postponed till a later age in men following out-door employments, than in those working within doors. 8. The maximum age in the case of men following the more laborious out-door employment is lower by one year than in those using less exertion; and in the latter there is a considerable excess of aged men. 9. Sedentary employments, and those requiring little exertion, 3. The probable excess of cases of pulmonary consumption in are more unfavourable to adult and middle age, but more favoura men following in-door occupations (for a higher ratio of consump-ble to old age, than those requiring greater effort; on the other tive cases in those employments is merely a strong presumption hand, employments requiring greater exertion are unfavourable in favor of such excess), and the earlier age at which consumption to youth and longevity, but favourable to middle age. Employmakes it attack, would naturally tend to fill this class of employments requiring little exertion prove fatal by inducing an excess ments with a greater number of young men, as well as to occasion of cases of pulmonary consumption, those requiring great exertion a higher mortality at the earlier periods of life, and a lower by occasioning other diseases of the air passages and lungs, average age of death. The greatest age, as it happens, is the towards the commencement of old age. same in the two classes. The classification of in-door employments, according to the amount of exertion which they require, leads to the following results : 1. The ratio of cases of pulmonary consumption to those of all other diseases is highest when the amount of exertion is least, and lowest when it is greatest; and the intermediate degree of exertion presents an intermediate ratio. The same statement holds good in respect of the deaths from consumption compared with those from other diseases. The following observations apply to certain occupations examined separately, and to the effects of intemperance. exercise any injurious influence upon health during the early 1. The exposure to a high temperature does not appear to periods of life; but, in common with employments requiring a great amount of exertion, it is unfavourable to longevity. 2. The inhalation of dust does not appear to be attended with the extremely injurious consequences which the high ratio of cases of pulmonary consumption would lead us to expect; but, when compared with the aggregate of other out-door occupations, the employment of the mason is found to be, in some degree, less favourable to health and longevity. 2. The age at which consumption makes it attack, and at which it proves fatal, is earlier in employments requiring little exertion than in those requiring more exertion, and in those re3. Habits of intemperance appear to exercise a most injurious quiring moderate exertion than in those demanding great effort. influence upon health; for men peculiarly exposed to the temp3. The per-centage proportions of men under 40 tation of drinking present a high ratio of cases of consumption, a years of age following these three classes of employments is in strict accord-high per centage proportion of such cases occurring under forty, ance with the ratio of consumptive cases, and the ages at which an excess of young meu, an excess of deaths under forty, and consumption makes its attack and proves fatal; these proportions especially between thirty and forty years of age, and a low average and maximum age. following the exact order of the degree of exertion. 4. The age of death, and the age of death from consumption, also follows the same order, the per centage proportion of deaths under 40 being highest when there is least exertion, lowest when there is greatest, and intermediate when there is an intermediate degree of exertion. 5. The average age of death, also, is lowest when there is least exertion, but highest when the exertion is intermediate between the two extremes. The somewhat lower average obtained in the case of employments requiring great exertion, appears to depend on an excessive mortality under 20 years of age. The greatest age also occurs in occupations requiring a Lastly. A comparison of the ages at death of gentlemen, (including professional men,) tradesmen, and artisans, issues in displaying the great advantage which the first class possesses over the other two, and the comparative small difference which exists between the tradesman and the artisan. The average age of death of the first class exceeds that of the other two by ten years, while the average age of the tradesman exceeds that of the artisan only by the small portion of a year.-Dr. Guy,-Brit. and For. Med. Review. of habitual costiveness accompanied by the symptoms described was led to administer alum in comparatively large doses, in cases not be hoped for from the use of ordinary purgatives. He conabove, and found its use to be followed by advantages which could siders moderate doses of this medicine to be very useful, not only in restoring the healthy tone of the large intestines, enabling purgatives unnecessary, but also in affording an universal firmthem to expel their contents, and rendering the continual use of ness and strength to the system; it diminishes abnormal and debilitating secretions, while it increases the urine. When alum conjoined with any purgative, in mimosis acutus, it produces is given in doses of a scruple or half a drachm without being large and very solid evacuations. For private practice the following formulæ may be employed: It declares that the LORD CARLISLE's bill, to regulate the sale of arsenic, has been read a second time in the House of Lords. unrestricted sale of arsenic facilitates the commission of crime. The bill provides that on every sale particulars of the sale shall be entered by the seller in a book before the delivery of the arsenic, and every such entry is to be signed by the person selling the same. Any person selling arsenic, save as autho rised by this bill, and every person giving false information to obtain arsenic, are to be summarily convicted before magistrates, and to be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds. The bill is not to prevent the sale of arsenic in medicine under a medical prescription. a THE author observes, that the disease described by Dr. Marshall Hall under the name of mimosis acutus most frequently occurs between the ages of thirty and fifty, although occasionally it happens much earlier. It may attack every variety of temperament, but is most liable to present itself in persons of sedentary habits. Women are more subject to it than men. The individuals who labour under it are usually of a dusky complexion, or, more exactly speaking, the skin always presents a dirty appearance. The face is frequently coated with a greasy-looking perspiration. The breath is foul, the gums spongy, and apt to bleed; the tongue broad, flat, flabby, indented at the margins by the presence of the teeth, and coated with muco-purulent exudation (?) The bowels are usually constipated; yet the patient may tell you he has daily alvine evacuations, and yet the colon may be in state of distension from fæcal accumulation. The abdomen is swollen, and feels unequal to the hand, the course of the ascending and transverse colon being more resisting than the other parts to pressure; in these situations there is also sometimes tenderness, and even pain. Besides the foregoing symptoms, the patient almost constantly complains of headache; he says he is very nervous, subject to tremors and sudden flushings of heat upon excitement, as well as palpitation of the heart, and epigastric throbbings Dr. Marshall Hall recommends active purgatives in the treatment of this disease. For a considerable time the author followed his advice, but found cause to be dissatisfied with the results. The patients for a short period expressed themselves relieved; but day after day the necessity for cathartics became more urgent, and the relief obtained became gradually less marked. He therefore commenced to inquire whether there was any other remedy likely to be more persistent in its benefit, and alum presented itself to his mind as a medicine fitted for controlling the pathological condition upon which he believed the disease to depend. Looking on mimosis acutus as a disease essentially consisting in a semi-paralytic state of the ganglionic nervous system, its analogy to lead colic seemed very evident; and in connexion with this analogy, the medicine that was found useful in the one disease would naturally present itself as being likely to prove beneficial in the other. Accordingly he HOMEOPATHY. In adhering to allopathy, we consider that, though we are embracing a system extremely imperfect, we are at least embracing one which, with all its faults, contains a considerable amount of truth, and a yet greater amount of good and which, above all, of science, and is capable of indefinite improvement; while, in is, or may be made, in its exercise, consonant with the principles rejecting homeopathy, we consider that we are discarding what is at once false and bad, useless to the sufferer, and degrading to the physician.-Dr. Forbes. SIR THOMAS BROWNE ON THE INCREASE OF DISEASE. new, SOME will allow no disease to be new; others think that may will old ones are ceased; and that such which are esteemed have but their time: however, the mercy of God hath scattered the great heap of diseases, and not loaded any one country with all. Some may be new in one country, who have been old in another. New discoveries of the earth discover new diseases; for besides the common swarm, there are endemical and local infirmities proper unto certain regions, which in the whole earth make no small number; and if Asia, Africa, and America, should bring in their list, Pandora's box would swell, and there must be a strange pathology. |