lapse of a few days) by means of Ney's couching needle, and portions of these impelled through the new pupil into the anterior chamber of the aqueous humour, in order to facilitate their solution and absorption. This not taking place ra pidly, portions of them were evacuated through a small opening in the cornea, at two operations subsequently performed, and the remainder being absorbed, the pupil was left clear. The result of this case, which was as lamentable a one as is to be met with, where any chance remains of recovering the sight, completely evinces the talents and manual dexterity of the operator.

Our Author's fifth operation is to remedy the privation of sight in consequence of the total obliteration of the natural pupil, attended with an entire transparency of the cornea. This state is induced by inflammation of the iris, or internal parts of the eye, the result of blows, or other injuries done to it; and, is sometimes succeeding both the extraction and depression of the opake crystalline, or its capsule. In this case the lens may be present, or absent; adhesions may be formed between its capsule and the iris; and these, constituting its varieties, require different operations. When the lens is known to occupy its situation, it should be broken down or depressed with the needle.

"Then, the point of the cornea knife, after entering the anterior chamber of the eye, must be directed to that part of the iris, which is distant about one third of its diameter from the external angle. This is to limit the artificial pupil towards the outer part of the eye. Here, it is to be passed through the iris so as to make an opening equal in extent to about one third the diameter of that membrane. If it be found practicable, a smaller incision may be made opposite to this, by repassing the point of the knife through the iris, where the pupil is intended to terminate, at a corresponding distance from the inner angle. A flap may then, by a gentle motion of the cornea-knife downwards, be sometimes formed, and may be removed by the introduction of the irisscissars. Generally, however, only the simple incision of the iris, without a flap, will be accomplished. Under such circumstances, oné blade of the iris-scissars must be advanced through the incision in the iris, and the other between the cornea and iris, until they include about one third of its diameter. The iris must next be divided from the upper extremity of the incision, a little obliquely downwards, in such a way, that when the scissars are applied in a similar direction from the lower extremity of the incision in the iris, the new pupil may approach in figure to an equilateral triangle."

To each of the operations, Mr. Gibson has added cases in point extracted from a great number on which he has ope rated, not on account of their being more successful in their result than many others, but as they exemplify his various positions in a better manner. He has likewise added plates

3 Z 2

of

of the iris-scissars, and forceps, and views of the artificial pupils, both with and without opacity of the cornea. These last, though not done justice to by the engraver, shew, in a very accurate manner, the changes that ensue in the appearance of the eye subsequent to the operation.

Mr. Gibson closes his account of the artificial pupil with an enumeration of several varieties of blindness, in which the operation has failed. They are chiefly those cases in which the iris is more or less diseased, and altered in structure from its natural state.

The remaining part of Mr. Gibson's publication is occupied with the account of two operations for extracting the soft and capsular cataracts, through a puncture in the cornea. We regret that our limits will not allow us to detail, at length, these novel operations. The cataract in children is occasionally membranous, but mostly milky or pulpy. The capsule being tender at this early age, Mr. Gibson has adopted the plan of breaking it down with the couching needle, in which case it is always absorbed, and the patient restored to sight. Mr. Gibson has been in the habit of operating in this manner for the last ten years upon subjects of all ages. We are not aware that any other oculist (with the exception of the late Mr. Saunders) has put in practice this operation at so early a period of life, From six months to two years, Mr. G. prefers as the most eligible time for ope rating.

For an account of this mode of operating, in cases of capsular, along with descriptions of numerous varieties of this species of cataract, we must refer our readers to the volume itself. We shall, however, extract the relation of his operation in cases of soft cataracts.

"Every surgeon, who is accustomed to the operation of couching, cannot well fail to be aware, that he has a soft cataract to act upon, when he has felt the slight resistance which it presents to the couching needle, and observes how little change, in many cases, the instrument makes in its appearance. In these cases, when the removal of the cataract from the axis of vision cannot be effected, on account of its softness, it should be the aim of the operator to rupture, most freely, the anterior part of the capsule, and to break down the substance of the ca. taract, by passing the couching needle cautiously through it, in different directions, that the aqueous humour may more readily act upon it, and reduce it to a pulpy state. When this has been effected, and the eye has perfectly recovered from the operation, the surface of the cataract will probably have put on a flocculent appearance, and be fit for

extraction.

"In performing this operation, the patient is to be seated and secured in the same manner as for the extraction of a cataract. The corneaknife, of the largest size, is then to be introduced through the cornea

towards

towards the outer angle of the eye, at the usual distance from the sclerotic coat. If there should be any doubt of the free laceration of the anterior part of the capsule of the lens, the point of the cornea-knife should be directed obliquely through the pupil, so as to make a more free division of it. All pressure upon the eyeball must now be carefully avoided, and the cornea-knife gradually withdrawn, which is attended with the evacuation of a part of the aqueous humour, and some portion of the cataract. The curette is next to be introduced through the incision, and advanced towards the pupil, by which the whole of the cataract may commonly be removed by degrees in a pulpy state, so as to render the pupil perfectly clear. Its removal is generally much faci litated, by gentle pressure towards the vitreous humour, with the convex surface of the curette, whilst the point is inserted through the pupil. Sometimes, however, the cataract is not reduced to a sufficient degree of softness by the action of the aqueous humour; and this state makes its removal more slow, but seldom renders the repetition of the operation necessary; for, when a considerable portion of the cataract has been removed, the remainder is generally observed to be so much reduced in bulk, before the fit period for another operacion, as to insure its speedy disappearing.'

From these extracts our readers may form some idea of the value of the work from which they are taken. We have experienced much gratification in perusing it, and can strongly recommend it to the profession in general Its appearance will form an important æra in the history of surgery relative to diseases of the eyes; and will fill up that chasm in British surgery which has hitherto, almost exclusively, been occupied by the productions of foreigners. Its external appearance does not bear any proportion to its internal merits; and the modesty of the former will surely put to the blush many professional writers who drain our pockets, and overload our critical board with their expensive and pon. derous lucubrations. The volume before us is evidently the production of a man who has an ardent love for the profession; who has bestowed unwearied assiduity in gaining an insight into the knowledge of it; and, who has attained extraordinary excellence in its practical part.

MEDICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Extract from the Minutes of the Jacksonian Committee, on the 19th of February, 1811.-Read two other Dissertations on the same important subject (Rabies Canina); one having for its motto,

"On dogs the infection first began,

And last the vengeful arrows fix'd on man.'

"Beware of yonder Dog,

Pope's Iliad, Book 1.

Shakes, Rich. III.

Look, when he fawns he bites; and when he bites,

His venom tooth will rankle to the death.”

the other having the motto, "Spero.”

Whereupon the Committee Resolved,

That, in their judgment, such two Dissertations are highly meritorious productions, are additionally deserving consideration from the assurance, in each, that the author will continue to prosecute inquiries on the subject of Rabid Animals; and that such Dissertations are equally worthy of the Jacksonian Prize.

That it be, therefore, recommended to the Court of Assistants, on this gratifying occasion, to resolve on granting an extraordinary premium of 10. in order that the author of each such Dissertations may receive a token of equal approbation of his valuable labour.

That as, however, the Jacksonian Prize must be awarded to one of the Candidates, and as it is a special duty of the Committee to make such award, that such prize be adjudged to the author of the Dissertation with the motto " On Dogs, &c."

That, if the proposition for an extraordinary premium should be agreed to by the Court, it is the opinion of the Committee that such premium should be given to the author of the Dissertation with the motto "Spero."

Extract from the Minutes of the Court of Assistants, on the 11th of April, 1811.-It was then moved, seconded, and resolved, that the Jacksonian Prize for the year 1810, adjudged to Mr. John Smith Soden of Coventry, and Mr. James Gillman of Highgate, be delivered to them by the Board of Curators; at such time and in such manner as that Board shall judge proper.

URINARY WORMS.-M. Pepion, Physician to the Navy at Cherbourg, has lately related the particulars of a case in which the patient voided a number of small worms in his urine. He describes them to be three lines in length, of extreme tenuity, the head round and red; the tail red and bifurcated; two antennæ; four feet; the body consisted of yellow rings. The most effectual remedy for them, was a paste formed of the seeds of citron, in doses of half a drachm, three or four times a day-Bulletin des Sciences Medicales.

USE OF SAVINE IN GOUT.-M. Hufeland, for several years, has employed Savine with great success in all forms of Chronic Gout, whether in the head, the chest, or the extremities, even when the complaint has resisted the most energetic remedies, as guaiacum, sulphur, antimony, and mercury. Savine does not impair the digestive functions; but great caution is requisite in administering it, on account of its acting, like cantharides, on the urinary organs, and on the uterus, whence may result pain and inflammation in the kidneys and in the bladder, strangury, hæmatury, and uterine hæmorrhage. It has proved efficacious in the form of powder, in doses of ten grains to a scruple, in 24 hours. It has also succeeded in decoction; and the essential oil may be given with safety, but on account of its great strength, the dose should not exceed a single drop triturated with sugar, and taken at two separate times, morning and evening. When five or six drops have been taken in the day, inflammatory symptoms of the kidneys and bladder have proved very distressing.

By

By an imperial decree, dated Palace of Bois-le-duc, May 7th, 1810. Napoleon has offered a prize of a million of francs for the best machine for spinning flax. The money is deposited in the hands of the minister of the interior, and will be awarded à l'inventeur de quelque nation qu'il puisse être, de la meilleur machine propre à filer le lin.

Palace of St. Cloud, June 18th, 1810. Sr. Proust has received 100,000 fr. and Sr. Fouques a sum of 40,000 fr. from the Emperor, as a gratification and encouragement for their discovery of the process of making sugar from raisins.

They are enjoined to employ this money in establishing manufactories

of sugar from raisins, in such parts of the southern department as the minister of the interior shall appoint.

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They are required to explain their process, which is to be published and forwarded to all the vinegar departments.

From the 1st of January, 1811, the sugar of raisins is to be used instead of that from the sugar-cane in all public establishments.

Napoleon has offered 100,000 fr. for the discovery of an indigenous plant of easy culture, capable of being substituted for Indigo, in price, use, permanency, and brilliancy of colour.

An equal sum will be awarded to whoever shall furnish a process for fixing an indigenous vegetable colour, on cotton, wool, linen, silk, &c. so as to replace indigo.

50,000 francs will be given to him who shall discover the means of mixing indigo with indigenous substances, or of employing it in a new manner, so that half the quantity will produce the full effects in intensity and solidity of colour.

25,000 francs will be given for ascertaining the means of diminishing the quantity of indigo one fourth.

25,000 francs will be given for the discovery of a certain and easy process for extracting, from the plant which furnishes woad (satis tinctoria Linn.) the colouring matter, and employing it as a dye.

100,00 fr. will be further given if this colouring matter can be made to impart the fineness and brilliancy of indigo, without its durability being injured.

25,000 fr. will be given for the discovery of a certain and easy mode of dying wool and silk with Prussian blue, so as to obtain an uniform and brilliant colour, unchangeable by rubbing or washing. The competitors for this prize are to send a description of their process with somespecimens of dyed stuffs, &c. to the minister of the interior.

Mr. Davy has lately read an account (at the Royal Institution) of a meteoric stone, which fell a few weeks since in the county of Tipperary. The phenomena attending its fall were the same as described in other instances of the like kind. The stone has been analyzed by Mr. Hig. gins of Dublin, and contains, like other meteoric stones, iron and nickel. This ingenious philosopher and chemist, when endeavouring to explain the phenomenon of meteoric stones, observed, that hydrogen gas, or inflammable air, will dissolve some of the metals, and form, with them, an invisible metallic gas. When this gas explodes, the metals are deposited, in a metallic form, on the sides of the vessel which contained the gas. He exhibited arsenic, tellurium, and

sodium,