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more layers, and to possess a complete circulation of its own;and it seems very extraordinary that this membrane, which in&ome apoplectic and other cysts is the very means which Naturesometimes adopts as the instrument of cure, should in the caseof abscess become the medium of augmenting mischief. Lebertmaintains that this result is owing to supersecretion of pus.One fact is certain, that the curative process is seldom if everobserved in these affections. Probably, independently of thesudden increase of pressure upon the cyst wall, and the cere-bral irritation so produced, the great fœtidity of the pus, whichis very constantly observed in these cases, contributes to the

mortality. Bouilland, however, who differs from Lebert as tothe function of the cyst wall, thinks it possible that mattermay be absorbed from some of these cysts, and that the oppo-sing sides may become united, as happens with some of thevisceral sacs.With regard to the symptomatology of these affections, they

are, in conformity with the object of the paper, contemplatedunder a one-sided aspect-that is, as they have worn the mask,more or less complete, of low fever, either of continued or in-termittent type. The author detailed three cases, including two of abscess of the brain, occurring in his own experience,the last of which presented points of unusual interest. Anencysted abscess occupied two-thirds of the right lobe of thecerebellum, and a gangrenous condition of the membranescovering the petrous portion was observed. Death in all pro-bability was the result of putrid infection. The cases were allcharacterized by marked symptoms of adynamia.

Mr. HARVEY had examined several cases similar to that re-lated by the author, but he differed from him as to their beingcaused by primary otitis; he believed they more frequently re-sulted from old ear disease or otorrhœa, and were the result ofphlebitis. He wished to know from the author whether heconsidered the abscess found in the cerebellum or cerebrum wasthe propter hoc or post hoe. In all his (Mr. Harvey’s) cases, hehad traced it to the disease pre-existing in the ear; but he wasaware some difference of opinion prevailed upon this point.The author had pointedly alluded to rigor as a symptom in thisdisease, continuing often for days, masking the diseased action,and simulating ague. He (Mr. Harvey) observed this symptom.in some cases, and had invariably regarded it as an indicationof a fatal termination. As to the treatment, believing thatthe disease commenced in the mastoid cells of the temporalbone, and was reflected thence to the petrous portion, andcaries being so frequently found after death in those particularspots, he had, when called early to the patient, liberated thestructures covering the mastoid process, and always withmarked relief. In other cases of the kind, in which the dis-charge from the ear was lessened or suspended, accompaniedwith pain, heaviness of the head, giddiness, and stupor, a setonin the neck would be found advantageous. He could not helpadmitting that these cases were very unpromising, for howeverwell directed the treatment might be, the symptoms were buttemporarily arrested, the insidious affection proceeding with aslow and latent course to a fatal termination. Of course, inall cases, the constitutional treatment was never to be lost’sight of.

Dr. SIBSON referred to a case in which the patient, abouteight or ten months before death, became subject to doublevision and to a peculiar taste in the mouth, attended by a con-stant secretion of the saliva, which resisted all means appliedfor its relief. After death, the tumour, of the size of a smallwalnut, was found to be pressing on the iifth and seventh

pairs of nerves. He had found the rigor in these cases to beshorter than that which prevailed in ague.

Dr. CAMPS alluded to the arrest of discharge in these casesbeing often coincident with the setting-in of the more severebrain symptoms. He thought that the symptoms in these caseswere sufficiently distinct from those usually present in cases ofcontinued fever.

Mr. HUNT spoke of the importance of diagnosing the situa-tion of the abscess, as being present in the cerebrum or cere-

bellum, from. the effects produced on the mind by the disease.Dr. RICHARDSON related a case which came on insidiously,

the symptoms being those of fever, but unaccompanied by anyrash or brown state of the tongue. There were marked remis-sions. Symptoms of a severe character set in, and the ladydied within a few hours, being sensible to the last. He thoughtthat in these cases the abscess existed for some time before thefatal symptoms developed themselves, and that the abscessWas the result of blood-poisoning. There was one symptomwhich he regarded as indicative of the nature of this disease,and that was, a remarkable variableness in the pulse, whichmight range in a verv short nPrind from 65 to 100 or 105 He

reprobated all kinds of depletion in the treatment, and shouldtrust mainly to quinine and the general support of the system.

Dr. ROUTH said that he had never seen a case of this diseasein which rigors did not indicate a fatal result.Mr. HIRD considered that there were two classes of cases of

this disease which presented themselves to our notice. In one,the more urgent symptoms set in on cessation of the dischargefrom the ear; in the other, the discharge continued or increased.In the first, he thought it good treatment to establish an arti-ficial discharge, by means of a seton or otherwise. He consi-dered that the plan of treatment adopted by Mr. Harvey, incases where the temporal bone was clearly involved, was thecorrect one.

Dr. COCKLE having replied, the Society adjourned.

PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.DR. WATSON, PRESIDENT.

BRONZED SKIN AND HEALTHY SUPRA-RENAL CAPSLTLES.

DR. HARLEY showed to the Society different parts of dis-coloured skin, and also the healthy capsules, which were takenfrom a man, aged sixty-six, who died in University CollegeHospital. The patient was admitted into the hospital, underthe care of Dr. Parkes, a month before his death. At thetime of his admission he presented a curious appearance, beingmore like a half-caste than a native of a temperate climate.The whole body, except the lower extremities and a few isolatedpatches on the abdomen, was of a dark bronze colour, thedarkest parts being about the head and neck. His history was,that seven years ago he had a five-weeks’ attack of jaundice,from which he perfectly recovered. Three or four monthsafterwards he observed a change taking place in the colour ofhis skin; some parts seemed to become whiter, others darker.The dark places gradually increased in size, and at the end ofsix months had extended to nearly the degree they presentedon his admission. During the last three or four months of hislife he had become gradually weaker, lost flesh, and had littleor no inclination for food. His bowels, too, were irregular.In fact, the case presented the signs and symptoms of Addi-son’s disease. On post-mortem examination, however, the

capsules were found perfectly healthy in every respect, both bynaked eye and microscopical examination. The peritoneum, aswell as the rete mucosum of the skin, contained pigmentarymatter. The man died from ascites, the result of a diseasedliver.

Dr. MURCHISON exhibited

THE INTESTINES OF A PIG, WHICH, FOR SIX WEEKS

BEFORE DEATH, HAD BEEN FED WITH " TYPHOIDDEJECTIONS."

Dr. Murchison observed, that although it was generally ad-mitted that the true typhus fever is eminently contagious,many still entertained doubts as to the contagious nature ofthe so-called "typhoid fever;" yet it was difficult to explain, inany other way, the facts which had been adduced by Bre-tonneau, Gendron, Piedvache, and others. Some observers,and more particularly Dr. Budd, of Bristol, and the late Dr.Snow, had thought that typhoid fever was propagated by thedejections from the bowels. Without questioning the validityof this supposition, Dr. Murchison expressed his belief thatmany of the facts which had been urged in its support mightbe explained on the hypothesis of a spontaneous origin of thefever from the putrid emanations from the drains, which hadbeen thought merely to convey the poison. All those who hadconsidered that the fever might be communicated by the dejec-tions had been strong opponents of the possibility of its spon-taneous origin. It was obviously of great importance, both ina medical and a sanitary point of view, to determine whetherfever might be communicated in the manner just alluded to.The experiment had been undertaken in order to throw somelight upon this question ; and its results were offered simplyfor what the results of one experiment might be worth. A

pig had been selected for the experiment for the following rea-songs :-1. Because in its diet it approached most nearly toman; and it was thought that less difficulty would be encoun-tered in making it submit to the experiment than with otheranimals. 2. There were few or no animals in which the struc-tures that became specially diseased in typhoid fever-viz.,Peyer’s patches-were so well developed. 3. Because therewas evidence that the pig was liable to typhoid fever. Casesof the disease, in this animal, in which the characteristic lesions

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had been found after death, have been described by Falke and other writers on veterinary medicine. The pig selected wasbetween three and four months old. Care was taken that thedejections were obtained from typhoid patients in whom theypresented the light ochrey colour peculiar to the disease in themost marked degree; they were mixed up with barley-mealand other articles of food. The first was given on Sept. 9th,1858. For the first three weeks one was given every day, orevery second or third day. During the next fortnight, two orthree were given every day; and, during the last week, oneevery second day. They were eaten greedily. On two clifre-rent occasions, during the first fortnight, the animal had slightdiarrhcria, lasting for twelve hours, and its ears felt rather hot;but these symptoms speedily subsided. With these excep-tions, the animal exhibited no abnormal symptoms; its stoolswere of normal consistence, and it increased greatly in weightand size, as was shown by measurements taken at the com-mencement and at the termination of the experiment. OnOct. 23rd it was killed, and its body opened. There was abun-dance of subcutaneous fat, and the muscular tissue appearedhealthy in every respect. The intestines throughout werehealthy. There was not the slightest trace of any recent orold ulceration anywhere, nor of any thickening or alteration ofPeyer’s patches, or of the solitary glands. The mesenteric

glands were not enlarged.

HARVEIAN SOCIETY.

THURSDAY, NOV. 4TH, 1858.DR. HAMILTON ROE, PRESIDENT, IN THE CHAIR.

THIS was the first meeting of the session, and was verynumerously attended. Some alterations in the laws, proposedby the Council, having been discussed and agreed to,The PRESIDENT delivered the usual introductory address.

He began by adverting to the origin and objects of the Society,dwelling upon the predominant distinction conferred, and thecorresponding obligations imposed, in the adoption of itsmemorable name. Harvey’s career and peculiar merits werebriefly sketched, as well as the all-important consequencesarising from his grand discovery; his moral courage in abidingby it, in opposition to the ignorance and prejudice of the time,being not the least remarkable and praiseworthv. It wasshown how his prescient eye anticipated many so-called moderndiscoveries, which were but the developments of the leadingdoctrines for the first time laid down authoritatively by him.The distinguishing features of the Society were succinctlystated; free interchange of professional experience, as well asopen expression of differences of opinion, being quite consistentwith that courtesy and good feeling which invariably markedits proceedings. The importance of that comparatively modernbranch of medical science, preventive medicine, was stronglyinsisted upon; illustrative details being introduced, its inves-tigation inculcated, and its disinterested tendency happilytouched upon in connexion with the elaborate reports of Mr.Simon and Dr. Greenhow. The obscurity connected with theaction of medicines was urged as a powerful incentive to itsmore assiduous cultivation. Several collateral circumstanceswere referred to under this head, bearing upon the therapeuticoperation of drugs, either facilitating or retarding a clear con-ception and satisfactory practice of the healing art. The

necessity was pointed out of being on our guard lest the pur-suit of collateral branches should distract attention from theessential curative aim and objects of medical science. The ab-

surdity of the present medical heresies was exposed, while oc-casion was taken to warn medical practitioners from inattentionto the adjuvants of successful treatment, whereby empiricssometimes acquired unmerited repute, and public opinion wasmisled. A handsome tribute was then paid to the exemplaryexertions of leading statesmen in promoting the true interestsof the community by the support given, through public dis-cussions, to social interests. The important question of elee-mosynary medical relief was referred to, and its proper objectsdefined. The address concluded with an impressive admoni-tion as to the necessity of the medical keeping pace with thecognate sciences. The well-known zeal of the profession wasa pledge of success, as its unquestionable beneficence wouldbe, failing public estimation, a consolation and reward to allupright minds.

DR. BARTH’S HONOURS.-The Queen has given ordersfor Dr. H. Barth to be created Companion of the Order of theBatb.

Reviews and Notices of Books.On Chloroform and other Anœsthetics: their Action and Ad-

ministration. By JOHN SNOW, M.D., &c. Editecl, with aMemoir of the Author, by B. W. RiCHAEDSON, M.D. Svo,pp. 444. London : Churchill.

THE editorial labours of Dr. Richardson consist in havingadded two words, which were necessary to complete the lastsentence of this work, and in having prefaced it with a graphicand entertaining memoir of its lamented author. On readingthis memoir it occurs to us that it would have been only gracefuland becoming if its writer had, at least, alluded to the activepart taken by THE LANCET, in bringing Dr. Snow’s merits be-fore the professional world at a time when such an encourage-ment was all-important to him-when he was comparativelyunnoticed and unknown, and struggling at the painful com-mencement of what must always be a,n arduous career.

, " De mortuis nil nisi bonum" is a good and wholesome rule

when applied to private men; but the history of such men asthis is public property, for the example set by them is one

which must be practically taken to heart by their successorsfor good, it may be, or for evil, and in their case the mas:im maybe one more honourecl in the breach tna,n the observance."

However, in the present instance, the possible motive for suchscruples is absent. We have nothing but good to say of Dr.Snow, living or dead. He was a patient and earnest workerfor the good of his fellow-men, one of those practical philan-thropists whose efforts were none the less meritorious becausethey were exerted for his own advancement, as well as for thebenefit of others. A professional man who takes no heed of his;own well-being, can have little opportunity of taking heed ofthe welfare of those submitted to his care.

With the introduction and application of chloroform as asanæthetic, a volatile narcotic agent, the vapour of which wheninhaled has the power of annihilating for a time the sensation ofpain, the name of Dr. Snow will be permanently connected.The present work is by far the best-indeed, the only complete- treatise on the subject which we possess. The man who hasleft us such a legacy cannot be said to have lived in vain.

It commences with a full historical introduction. We are

told that the idea of producing insensibility during painful sur-gical operations was not unknown to the ancients, for mandra-gora was employed by the Greek physicians for this purpose,and the fumus of burning hemp resorted to by the Chinese.But in modern times the practice was unknown, or its possi-bility disbelieved, until the commencement of the present cen-tury. In 1800, Davy first pointed out the fact, that insen-

sibility to pain was produced by the inhalation of nitrous oxidegas, and suggested its use for this purpose in surgical opera-tions. For forty years the suggestion was disregarded. This

agent was then first used in the United States, and soon afterthe inhalation of ether- more manageable agent, the similarityof action between which and nitrous oxide had been discovered

by Faraday-was successfully practised in that country. Its

use extended to England, to be shortly displaced by that ofchloroform, a liquid discovered by Souberian, and first employedpublicly as an anaesthetic by Dr. Simpson, of Edinburgh, in theautumn of 1847. This agent can be relied upon with morecertainty than ether; it is no more dangerous, and far less dis-agreeable to the patient. Soon after its introduction into,London practice, Dr. Snow became widely known as one whohad paid much attention to its mode of action, and as a carefulmanipulator who could be relied upon, almost alone amongstmany, to administer this agent with all the precautions nec-es-sary to ensure safety. It was from his hands that the sufferer,whether alone in the curtained bedroom, or publicly on thehospital table, could best obtain the full advantage of this

greatest and most beneficent discovery of modern medicalscience. Nothing need be said here to urge the value of such