the remote cause with the ostensible form of the disease. Whoever can break these by restoring those two functions to their natural state, I care not by what means or medicines, he will cure, or rather prevent, the disease—' et erit mihi magnus Apollo.' Some other in. visible, at least very obscure links are now to be noticed, for, however confidently a proximate cause may be decided on in colleges and closets, it is in nature a series of causes. The equilibrium of the circulation becomes disturbed. In consequence of the torpor in the extreme vessels on the surface, the volume of blood is directed to the interior, and the balance is still farther broken by the check which the portal current meets in the liver, from a corresponding torpor in the extreme or secreting vessels of that organ, the effect of which is that the plethora in the cœliac and mesenteric circles is now greatly augmented, and febrile symptoms commence. The perspiration being stopped, a vicarious discharge of mucus and acrid serum is thrown from the extremities of the turgid mesenteric vessels upon the internal surface of the intestines, which, by this time, are in a state of irritability." P. 356.

pass

But we cannot pursue this subject further, nor analyse the succeeding sections, all of which are exceedingly interesting. We were about to make some reflections and some censures on the severity which Mr. J. occasionally evinces to his contemporaries, but we have found so much to admire that we are unwilling to exercise our critical functions in finding fault.

L.

Medico-Chirurgical Transactions. Published by the Medical and Chirurgical Society of London. Vol. III. 8vo. Lond.

1812.

(Continued from p. 170.)

ART. XVI. A general View of the Composition of Animal Fluids. By J. BERZELIUS, M.D.

Of this long article, on the Composition and Chemical Properties of Animal Fluids, by the Professor of Chemistry in the College of Medicine at Stockholm, we gave such an account in our last Half-yearly Report, as will preclude the necessity of going into it here. It contains analytical researches on the blood, in all its constituent parts-the chemical properties of fibrin-the chemical properties of the coloring matter-an inquiry into the influence of the iron, as producing its color, contained in the coloring matter -the serum-the albumen-and salts of the blood. It examines, by chemical analysis, the secreted fluids, viz. bile, saliva, the mucus of mucous membranes, the fluids of serous membranes, the humors of the eye; also the excreted fluids, viz. the fluid of perspiration, urine, and milk. H.h

No. 175.

As

As a specimen of the results of the author's inquiry, his

analysis of urine is inserted.

1000 parts of urine are composed of

Water

933.00

30.10

3.71

3.16

2.94

4.45

1.65

ART. XVII. A Case of Fungus Hæmatodes. By GEORGE LANGSTAFF, Surgeon.

A perspicuous history of the progress of this dreadful disease, as it extended nearly to the whole frame. It began on the left shoulder, just below the spine of the scapula, at least it was visible first there, in the form of a tumor, about the size of a cherry, of a bluish red color. From thence it extended to the left axilla, where was the main bulk of the disease. Dissection discovered it on the sternum, in the liver, the pancreas, in the colon and the cœcum, the lungs, the pleura-pulmonalis, on the cranium beneath the pericranium, and on the dura mater, beneath the occipital bone.

What the peculiarity of the idiosyncracy is that generates this disease, or what methods can be employed, to stop or retard its fatal progress, remain yet in obscurity. The subject of this case was a boot-maker, about 30 years of age, of middle stature, rather corpulent, and of that sallow complexion peculiar to a female whose constitution has been impaired by long obstruction of the catamenia.

ART. XVIII. History of a severe Affection of the Organs of Respiration, with the Appearances on Dissection, and Remarks. By A. P. WILSON PHILIP, M.D.

The causes producing this singular and fatal case of dyspnea, are left, both by observation of the symptoms, and examination

examination post mortem, in great obscurity; as well as is the modus operandi of emetics in producing the extraordinary relief of symptoms. How far the deficient carbonization of the blood was a cause or effect is doubtful; or if an effect, how far it might also become a cause aggravating symptoms and hurrying on the final termination, we fear must be left in a state of similar indecision. As a record of facts, and totally independent of opinions, this communication may be looked to as a valuable document.

ART. XIX. An Account of a new Mode of Treatment in Chronic Rheumatism, and especially in Sciatica. By ALEXANDER MARCET, M.D. F.R.S.

The value of this article, if the case is fairly related, and we feel no hesitation in believing it so to be, will place it very high in the scale of the Methodus Medendi. It consists in a peculiar mode of exciting perspiration, and is prefaced by some sensible remarks.

"I have frequently had the opportunity of observing, for the last six or seven years," says Dr. Marcet, "that the profuse and unavailing sweats which often spontaneously take place in the early stages of rheumatism, and exhaust the strength of the patients without alleviating their sufferings, are almost in every instance checked, and the pains proportionally relieved, by the use of antimonial medicines. The explanation which I ventured to offer of this paradoxical result, was, that the profuse flow of moisture from the pores, is not, in itself, the circumstance which diminishes pain in rheumatic affections; but that the relief is produced by a certain condition of the surface, or peculiar action of the cutaneous vessels, though generally productive of moisture, is not necessarily connected with profuse perspiration. It is this peculiar action which antimonials are so apt to promote; and there is no difficulty in conceiving, how the violent and colliquative paroxysms which occur in rheumatism, gradually yield to this gentle and uniform operation."

The new mode of treating chronic rheumatism, is exciting perspiration by muscular action, with an increased quantity of clothing. It was suggested to the patient, who relates his own case, by a celebrated race-horse (Vandyk) having been cured of a disorder which had all the symptoms of rheumatism, by sweating in body-cloths. The writer of this history had suffered several years by rheumatisın, and particularly by that form of it denominated sciatica, when the above fact came to his knowledge. Having determined to pursue the method, which is similar to that employed by the Newmarket riders for the reduction of their weight,

"I clothed myself," the writer says, "in a sufficient quantity of flannel, and set out to walk as far and as fast as I could. With the

utmost difficulty I proceeded half a mile, and the pain I suffered contributed not a little to the effect of the exercise in promoting perspi ration. I returned home in a profuse sweat, rubbed myself dry be fore a fire, and went to bed. In about an hour I got up, found myself very much fatigued, but in other respects not worse. Forty-eight hours after this, I repeated the same kind of exercise, and found that I could walk a mile with as much ease as I had walked half that distance on the first day. My general sensations were the same as before; but, as the fatigue diminished, I thought I could perceive an amendment in my rheumatic pains. Two days afterwards I took a third walk, proceeded as before, and after it had a better night, less interrupted by pain than any I had enjoyed for eighteen months. Every succeeding walk has diminished my sufferings, and I may safely say that, after the sixth, I was as free from pain as I had ever been in my life. The only remnant I have left to remind me I was so lately a cripple, is a weakness in the left leg, particularly about the ankle, together with now and then a slight sensation of numbness along the sciatic nerve. I usually proceed to my sweating, walks in the following manner: next to my skin I wear stockings, drawers, and a shirt, all of fleecy hosiery; over these I put one, two, or three, flannel drawers; one, two, or three, flannel waistcoats; and round my hips and loins I gird six yards of thick flannel; making, beside the drawers and waistcoats, eight thicknesses of flannel on the chief seat of the pain, and the origin of the sciatic nerve: over all this I wear warm pantaloons, and a great coat. When I have walked one or two miles, more or less, according to the heat of the day, I am generally in a profuse perspiration. I do not perceive that the quantity I perspire, has any influence on the efficacy of the remedy. I imagine that a violent action produced in the general system is the chief cause of its salutary effect. In consequence of this opinion, I cease the exercise the moment that a very increased action is well established. This is fully produced with the above quantity of clothing in moderately warin weather, by walking from one to two miles. When the excitement is well established, I find my pulse rise to between 90 and 100, and it is full and strong."

For a minute detail of particular circumstances, and a table of the variations of weight during this process, we inust refer to the volume itself.

ART. XX. Appendix to the Paper on Cynanche Laryngea. By J. R. FARRE, M.D.

This is a valuable addition to Dr. Farre's former paper; a distinction between Cynanche Laryngea, and Cynanche Trachealis, is its principal object.

"In Cynanche laryngea the symptoms are, uneasy sensations in the larynx, difficult and painful deglutition, partial swelling in the fauces, a supervening and perpetually increasing difficulty of breathing, inflammatory fever. In the Cynanche trachealis there is a difficulty of breathing, without any swelling in the fauces, or painful de

glutition;

glutition; the expirations, especially in coughing, are very shrill, the fever is inflammatory. In both the voice is changed, and in extreme cases is suppressed; the termination is by suffocation.

"The following are the morbid appearances. In Cynanche la ryngea, the mucous membrane investing the epiglottis and the margin of the glottis is inflamed, serum is effused under it, or coagulable lymph on its external surface, by which the rima glottidis is narrowed, or actually closed. In Cynanche trachealis, the mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea is inflamed, and a layer of coagulated lymph is formed on its internal surface, from the extremity of the epiglottis to an indefinite extent within the trachea, by which the tube itself is narrowed or actually closed. A puriform fluid, instead of mucus, is found in the trachea and bronchia."

ART. XXI. Some Remarks on the Use of Nitrate of Silver, for the detecting of minute Portions of Arsenic. ALEX. MARCET, M.D. F.R.S.

By

The general subject of this paper has had a full discussion in our Journal, particularly as respected the claim Mr. Hume of Long-acre had to the discovery of this test. The nature of the dense yellow precipitate which is produced by the application of minute quantities of solutions of ammonia and nitrate of silver, where the smallest quantity of arsenic is present, is the object of these Remarks; and is an answer to some objections made against this test by Mr. Sylvester of Derby, and published in Nicholson's Journal, vol. xxxiii. p. 306.

ART. XXII. History of a Case of Remitting Ophthalmia, and its successful Treatment by Opium. By JAMES CURRY, M.D. F.A.S.

It is

This is an elaborate detail of the author's own case. singular in the extraordinary degree of pain with which it was accompanied, and in the remarkable efficacy of opium taken in very large doses. As a specimen of bold and decisive practice, and ingenious reasoning, Dr. Curry's paper will not disappoint the reader.

A Practical Treatise on the Remittent Fever of Infants, with Remarks on Hydrocephalus Internus, or IVater in the Brain, and several other Diseases; and Cases and Observations designed to illustrate the Influence exerted by a certain disordered State of the Chylopoietic Viscera upon local and constitutional Diseases, and to prove the utility and necessity of removing it, in order to facilitate and establish their Cure. By JAMES MILLMAN COLEY, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, &c. 8vo. pp. 156. Underwood and Longman and Co. 1813.

THE disease treated of in this publication is familiar to practitioners,