137 neath the sun and moon, and on the side opposite to this, is shown in the phenomena of the tides; for these phenomena .are found to be more intelligible on the supposition that the land alternately rises and falls in the waters in the manner which has been explained, than upon the supposition that the waters alternately rise and fall upon the land. The metamor- phoses of comets are also thought to meet their explanation by supposing that cometary bodies are acted upon by the solar rays in the same manner as the earth. And lastly, certain unexplained passages in the past history of the earth are sup- posed to be confirmatory of these opinions; for it is supposed that the land may have been originally raised out of the waters, and that it is now kept out of the waters by the expan- sion consequent upon the focal concentration of the solar and lunar rays upon the earth. Nor is this a barren conclusion; for, if the land were raised in this manner, the land, it is sup- posed, must remain where it is so long as the sun and moon and earth remain in the same relative positions; and this con- clusion is made the ground of an objection to the idea of re- peated revolutions in the past history of the earth, the objection being that each revolution must involve some miraculous change in the position of the heavenly bodies. This objection leads to a geological inquiry, and the result of the inquiry is that the number of revolutions has been greatly exaggerated. These are the topics of this chapter, and this is all we can say upon them, except to express our opinion that the arguments of the author, to say the least, will not easily be set aside. The three next chapters are merely short sketches, of which the object is to show, by hints rather than arguments, (for the proof rests upon the premises,) that the phenomena of " natu- Tal light and chemical action, and electricity and magnetism, are only intelligible when they are regarded as signs of the same central law." " If our space had allowed it, we would gladly have said more upon these very interesting subjects; but these remarks must serve to give an idea of a book which is full of original thought from beginning to end, and which ought to be in the hands of every student of nature. ,dinbu°gh New Philosophical Journal. New Series. No. 7. Vol. IV., No. 1. July, 1856. Edited by Sir WILLIAM JARDINE and Professors ANDERSON and BALFOUR, for Scot- land ; and by HENRY DApwiN ROGERS, State Geologist of Pennsylvania, for America. THE papers in the July number more particularly inte- resting in the department of our own sciences are these :- Dr. John Davy on certain sea-weeds of an edible kind ; and Mr. Baxter on current electricity during vegetation. The Memoir of the late James Wilson, of Woodville, is interesting; and the Review of Mr. Hay’s and Professor Zeising’s Treatises -on the "Science of Beauty," will be found one of the best, as a short and facile exposition of the question, we have yet met with. ____________ Letters to a Young Ph?Jçician just entering 16pon PJ’actice. By JAMES JACKSON, M.D., LL.D. Fourth Edition. London: Sampson Low and Co. Boston: Phillips, Sampson, and Co. 8vo, pp. 344. . THIS is an American work, and has previously gone through three editions. The author briefly refers to some of the most important diseases which are likely to be met with in the ordinary practice of a physician, and, where necessary, intro- duces cases. He is evidently averse to the plan of bed-side case-taking, and considers that the most important points are more firmly retained by the memory without it. In the treatment of rheumatic fever, after the first few days of the disease, Dr. Jackson strongly recommends the administration of the sulphate of quina, taken freely, as it is for intermittent fever. He believes that in many cases of heemoptysis the blood is discharged through the exhalants, without any injury or disease of the lungs, and he relates a fatal case where nothing abnormal was found in these organs. In the treatment of boils, he strongly advises, as soon as they make their appearance, and when yet in the state of a pimple, that they should be incised directly through the centre; and if there is a succession of them, to give sulphate of quina. Dr. Watson, in his lectures, refers to the same plan of treatment; but the author claims priority, having used it some ten years before the appearance of Dr. Watson’s lectures in print. A Practical Treatise on Sta’rnme9’ing, its Pathology, Predis- ’ posircg, Exciting, and Proximate Causes, and its most S’ztc- ce8sful Mode of CU7’e Scientifically Explained. By J. H. AYRES POETT, M.D., &c., pp. 50. London: Churchill. A SHORT but clear exposition of the views of one long en- gaged in the treatment of this common and severe affliction. We can recommend the perusal of Dr. Poett’s pamphlet, as it. is quite free from quackery and ad captanduln writing. The Indian Annals of Medical Science.-A Half-yearly Jour- nal of Practical Medicine and Surgery. No. VI., April, 1856. Calcutta. THERE are few professional serials which have taken so high a place in so short a space of time as our Indian contemporary has done. The present Number sustains its reputation. The elaborate Report on Febrifuges or Anteperiodics is here con- cluded ; and there will be found also a short paper by Dr. Ebden, on a topic not often brought before the public,, professional or lay, even of India, viz., Eunuchs. Mr. Waring -well known by his late monograph on Abscess of the Liver, -has an article " On some of the diseases of India," in which, when alluding to Be1"i-be:ri, he remarks- " I am far from wishing to set myself in opposition to any rational explanation of the history and pathology of this ob- scure disease; but if it be granular degeneration of the kid. neys, as supposed by Dr. Ranking; or if it be simply scurvy, as suggested by Dr. Morehead, it is a very singular fact that its range should be so limited. With regard to the above morbid appearances, it is evident that they present no uni-- formity of condition, about equal numbers in each organ pre- senting some disease, or described as healthy or normal. Serous effusion is the only uniform appearance, and this existed in every fatal case. "-p. 497. Dr. Arthur’s observations (652) " On the Internal Ecflnomy" of an Indian regiment merit the deep consideration of both’ the out and home Administrations. Foreign Department. TYPHUS IN THE CRIMEA, AS DESCRIBED BY M. BAUDENS, SURGEON-IN-CHIEF OF THE FRENCH ARMY. M. BAUDENS has addressed a letter from Constantinople to the President of the Academy of Medicine of Paris, wherein he states that the typhus which reigned amongst the French troops is not identical with typhoid fever, notwithstanding a certain amount of analogy as to cause, periods, and sequlse. Typhus, as lately observed in the Crimea, is engendered by want, and crowding, either in prisons, hospitals, or on board vessels; the disease may, indeed, be called forth and removed at will. This is not the case with typhoid fever and other epidemics, as cholera, which, in spite of all precautions, break out suddenly and disappear without any appreciable cause. Typhus is propagated both by infection and contagion; the latter mode of transmission, which is doubted by some as to typhoid fever, is quite evident as to the Crimean typhus. The difference between typhus and the generality of epidemics is, that the latter reign only temporarily, according to the duration of certain atmospheric influences, whilst typhus con- tinues until the causes of infection have been removed. The Crimean typhus has presented less regularity and uniformity in the succession of symptoms than the ordinary typhus de- scribed by Hildenbrand. This irregularity may be ascribed to various causes, amongst which should especially be noted scurvy, dysentery, and the intermittents, which were excited 137
Transcript
137
neath the sun and moon, and on the side opposite to this, isshown in the phenomena of the tides; for these phenomena.are found to be more intelligible on the supposition that theland alternately rises and falls in the waters in the mannerwhich has been explained, than upon the supposition that thewaters alternately rise and fall upon the land. The metamor-
phoses of comets are also thought to meet their explanation bysupposing that cometary bodies are acted upon by the solarrays in the same manner as the earth. And lastly, certainunexplained passages in the past history of the earth are sup-posed to be confirmatory of these opinions; for it is supposedthat the land may have been originally raised out of the
waters, and that it is now kept out of the waters by the expan-sion consequent upon the focal concentration of the solar andlunar rays upon the earth. Nor is this a barren conclusion;for, if the land were raised in this manner, the land, it is sup-posed, must remain where it is so long as the sun and moonand earth remain in the same relative positions; and this con-clusion is made the ground of an objection to the idea of re-peated revolutions in the past history of the earth, the objectionbeing that each revolution must involve some miraculous changein the position of the heavenly bodies. This objection leads toa geological inquiry, and the result of the inquiry is that thenumber of revolutions has been greatly exaggerated. Theseare the topics of this chapter, and this is all we can say uponthem, except to express our opinion that the arguments of theauthor, to say the least, will not easily be set aside.The three next chapters are merely short sketches, of which
the object is to show, by hints rather than arguments, (for theproof rests upon the premises,) that the phenomena of " natu-Tal light and chemical action, and electricity and magnetism,are only intelligible when they are regarded as signs of thesame central law." "
If our space had allowed it, we would gladly have said moreupon these very interesting subjects; but these remarks mustserve to give an idea of a book which is full of original thoughtfrom beginning to end, and which ought to be in the hands ofevery student of nature.
,dinbu°gh New Philosophical Journal. New Series. No. 7.Vol. IV., No. 1. July, 1856. Edited by Sir WILLIAMJARDINE and Professors ANDERSON and BALFOUR, for Scot-land ; and by HENRY DApwiN ROGERS, State Geologist ofPennsylvania, for America.THE papers in the July number more particularly inte-
resting in the department of our own sciences are these :-Dr. John Davy on certain sea-weeds of an edible kind ; andMr. Baxter on current electricity during vegetation. The
Memoir of the late James Wilson, of Woodville, is interesting;and the Review of Mr. Hay’s and Professor Zeising’s Treatises-on the "Science of Beauty," will be found one of the best, asa short and facile exposition of the question, we have yet metwith.
____________
Letters to a Young Ph?Jçician just entering 16pon PJ’actice. ByJAMES JACKSON, M.D., LL.D. Fourth Edition. London:Sampson Low and Co. Boston: Phillips, Sampson, andCo. 8vo, pp. 344.
. THIS is an American work, and has previously gone through
three editions. The author briefly refers to some of the mostimportant diseases which are likely to be met with in theordinary practice of a physician, and, where necessary, intro-duces cases. He is evidently averse to the plan of bed-sidecase-taking, and considers that the most important points aremore firmly retained by the memory without it.In the treatment of rheumatic fever, after the first few
days of the disease, Dr. Jackson strongly recommends theadministration of the sulphate of quina, taken freely, as it isfor intermittent fever. He believes that in many cases of
heemoptysis the blood is discharged through the exhalants,without any injury or disease of the lungs, and he relates a
fatal case where nothing abnormal was found in these organs.In the treatment of boils, he strongly advises, as soon as theymake their appearance, and when yet in the state of a pimple,that they should be incised directly through the centre; and ifthere is a succession of them, to give sulphate of quina. Dr.
Watson, in his lectures, refers to the same plan of treatment;but the author claims priority, having used it some ten yearsbefore the appearance of Dr. Watson’s lectures in print.
A Practical Treatise on Sta’rnme9’ing, its Pathology, Predis-’ posircg, Exciting, and Proximate Causes, and its most S’ztc-
ce8sful Mode of CU7’e Scientifically Explained. By J. H.AYRES POETT, M.D., &c., pp. 50. London: Churchill.
A SHORT but clear exposition of the views of one long en-gaged in the treatment of this common and severe affliction.We can recommend the perusal of Dr. Poett’s pamphlet, as it.is quite free from quackery and ad captanduln writing.
The Indian Annals of Medical Science.-A Half-yearly Jour-nal of Practical Medicine and Surgery. No. VI., April, 1856.Calcutta.
THERE are few professional serials which have taken so higha place in so short a space of time as our Indian contemporaryhas done. The present Number sustains its reputation. Theelaborate Report on Febrifuges or Anteperiodics is here con-
cluded ; and there will be found also a short paper byDr. Ebden, on a topic not often brought before the public,,professional or lay, even of India, viz., Eunuchs. Mr. Waring-well known by his late monograph on Abscess of the Liver,-has an article " On some of the diseases of India," in which,when alluding to Be1"i-be:ri, he remarks-" I am far from wishing to set myself in opposition to any
rational explanation of the history and pathology of this ob-scure disease; but if it be granular degeneration of the kid.neys, as supposed by Dr. Ranking; or if it be simply scurvy,as suggested by Dr. Morehead, it is a very singular fact thatits range should be so limited. With regard to the abovemorbid appearances, it is evident that they present no uni--formity of condition, about equal numbers in each organ pre-senting some disease, or described as healthy or normal.Serous effusion is the only uniform appearance, and this existedin every fatal case. "-p. 497.
Dr. Arthur’s observations (652) " On the Internal Ecflnomy"of an Indian regiment merit the deep consideration of both’the out and home Administrations.
Foreign Department.TYPHUS IN THE CRIMEA, AS DESCRIBED BY M. BAUDENS,
SURGEON-IN-CHIEF OF THE FRENCH ARMY.
M. BAUDENS has addressed a letter from Constantinople tothe President of the Academy of Medicine of Paris, wherein hestates that the typhus which reigned amongst the Frenchtroops is not identical with typhoid fever, notwithstanding acertain amount of analogy as to cause, periods, and sequlse.Typhus, as lately observed in the Crimea, is engendered by
want, and crowding, either in prisons, hospitals, or on boardvessels; the disease may, indeed, be called forth and removedat will. This is not the case with typhoid fever and otherepidemics, as cholera, which, in spite of all precautions, breakout suddenly and disappear without any appreciable cause.Typhus is propagated both by infection and contagion; thelatter mode of transmission, which is doubted by some as totyphoid fever, is quite evident as to the Crimean typhus.The difference between typhus and the generality of epidemics
is, that the latter reign only temporarily, according to theduration of certain atmospheric influences, whilst typhus con-tinues until the causes of infection have been removed. TheCrimean typhus has presented less regularity and uniformityin the succession of symptoms than the ordinary typhus de-scribed by Hildenbrand. This irregularity may be ascribed tovarious causes, amongst which should especially be notedscurvy, dysentery, and the intermittents, which were excited
137
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by the marshes of the valley of the Tchernaya. There weremostly no premonitory symptoms, as lassitude, sleeplessness,lumbar pains, horripilatio, tension in the head, and vertigo, socommon in typhoid fever. The Crimean typhus began at onceby shivering, frontal cephalalgia, stupor, muttering or violentdelirium, total prostration, more or less discharge from theeyes, the nares, or bronchi, intense thirst, and a foul state ofthe alimentary canal. The burning skin was covered in twoor three days with an exanthematous eruption, different fromthat which is seen in typhoid fever, and presenting irregulargroups of round spots of a dull red, smaller than a split pea, andnot disappearing upon pressure with the finger. There weregenerally neither petechia nor sudamina. The fever provedcontinuous, with from 100 to 130 beats in a minute, but wasinterrupted by one, or sometimes two, regular paroxysms inthe twenty-four hours, somewhat similar to fits of ague, whichcircumstance has given the Crimean fever a peculiar character.The abdomen was generally soft, painless, and without eithertympanitis or that gurgling in the iliac fossa peculiar to typhoidfever. Instead of the diarrhoea which generally accompaniesthe latter affection, constipation was present in the Crimeanfever, except in those cases where dysentery existed before theattack. The inflammatory period lasted five or six days, andwas followed by cerebral symptoms of the ataxic and adynamiccharacter. The latter lasted only four or five days, and wereslight in the cases which recovered.The short duration of this fever contrasts strikingly with the
length of time during which typhoid fever generally lasts.Death has often occurred on the third day, sometimes on thesecond, and even on the first. The latter were fearful cases.The fever continued rarely beyond the twelfth or fifteenthday, save when complications occurred, such as congestion ofthe viscera of any of the three splanchnic cavities. Conva-lescence almost always took place within the first ten days,the patient passing at once, as it were, from death to life.Coma and delirium left him as by magic, but sleep continuedheavy, and there remained deafness, weakness of sight, andsome loss of memory. No falling of hair, as happens aftertyphoid fever, was noticed. The favourable changes wereoften preceded by epistaxis, diaphoresis, critical urine, andsometimes mumps. Convalescence, which advances so slowlyin typhoid fever, is rapid in typhus, and errors of diet have nounpleasant results. This is owing to the absence of inflamma-tion of the intestinal follicles, and the non-congestive state ofthe mesenteric glands, the reverse being one of the principalcharacters of typhoid fever.The liver and the spleen, in the Crimean typhus, were often
found gorged with blood, and softened; the lungs, when con-gested, were either clogged or hepatized; the meninges injected;opaline effusion in the arachnoid, sometimes with pseudo-mem-branous patches; cerebral surface dotted, softened, or present-ing on its surface a layer of pus.
Treatment. - First, by pure air and powerful ventila-tion ; non-interference with the inflammatory stage, as beingan effort of nature to throw off the morbid poison by anexanthematous eruption; no bleeding, except in very robustsubjects, and when cerebral apoplexy is threatening; leechesto the mastoid processes, or cupping between the shoulders,preferable to venesection; to have recourse to the same meanswhen the smallness of the pulse points to an oppression of vitalforces, which latter rise again after moderate depletion? tostop the intermittences which sometimes occur by quinine, inorder to recall the continuity of the fever, which generallythen gives way, when it is not kept up by an accidental organiclesion. At the outset, an emeto-cathartic is advantageous,when the primas viae are out of order; mucilaginous and acidu-lated drinks, and even wine-and-water. In the comatose
stage, such remedies as are usually employed in adynamia andthe ataxic state. In the latter circumstances, tonics and portor Malaga have proved very beneficial. The above treatmenthas been the most successful in the East, and the most experi-enced medical men have employed it with excellent results.
ON THE SELF-ADJUSTING DOUBLE STETHO-SCOPE.
Po the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR,-I am anxious to make a few remarks on a paper pub-lished in your journal of April 12th, 1855, by Dr. Pollock, ona
" Self-adjusting Double Stethoscope." My absence fromEngland will explain my not having addressed you on the sub-ject before this.
138
3 Dr. Pollock has stated that the instrument which he wished, to introduce to the profession was that of Dr. Camman, of Newa York, but that Dr. Marsh, of Cincinnati, had patented an3 instrument in 1851, and that " more lately, in this country,b Dr. Leared had made a double instrument with gutta perchaJ tubes." It is added, that " many years ago, Dr. Williamsf used a double instrument, and that M. Landouzy, of Paris, in) 1850, constructed an instrument having a number of gum-L elastic tubes, by means of which several persons could listen at: the same time."L To prove priority of invention is often a troublesome, and
sometimes an unpleasant, task; but, in the present instance,l the difficulty at least is not great. A glance at the volume of; "Braithwaite’s Retrospect of Medicine" just published, inl which Dr. Pollock’s paper is transcribed from your columns,L and, side by side with it, some observations of mine in
reference to the alleged American invention of an earlier. date, will, I think, convince any one that whatever credit-
is attached to the invention is justly due to me. This I: have stated in the communication referred to; but Dr. Pol-.
lock has not only unaccountably overlooked that, but also: my assertion that I published the instrument in 1851, by. sending it to the Great Exhibition.* * When, in reference to: that date, he speaks of " more lately," I beg to offer further
proof of it. I have now before me the copy of a descriptionsent with my instrument to the Executive Committee of theExhibition, dated January 28th, 1851 ; and I may add that Ihad a double instrument constructed in 1850, if not earlier.Now, I think the above date is conclusive that it was impos-sible for me to copy from the American instrument, while,from the position in which mine was placed, it is not only
possible, but highly probable, that the idea of the instrumentwas pirated, and the patent for it obtained on the other side ofthe Atlantic within the year. This, however, I can declare,that I never heard or read anything which gave me the leastclue to the invention.
I think I am safe in saying that Dr. Williams never publishedan account of the double instrument which he is said to haveused several years ago (it is now several years since 1851);and as for the instrument of M. Landouzy-which I confess Ihad not heard of before reading Dr. Pollock’s paper-it is a,
totally different thing.I must apologize for intruding thus largely on your space,
but I was anxious to explain the matter fully now that, as aforeign importation, the double stethoscope has a fair chanceof being tested.
I am yours, &c.,ARTHUR LEARED, M.D.,
Finsbury-place South, July, 1856. late Physician Smyrna Civil Hospital.* See Official Catalogue, Class X., No. 620. The instrument in question
may now be seen in the collection handed over by the Exhibition Commis-sioners to the " Department of Science and Art." "
ARTHUR LEARED, M.D.,late Physician Smyrna Civil Hospital.
THE PAROCHIAL AUTHORITIES OF MARYLEBONE ANDTHEIR WORKHOUSE MEDICAL STAFF.-At the last weeklymeeting of the Guardians and Directors of the poor of Mary-lebone, held in the board room of the workhouse, New-road,the Rev. Mr. Scobell in the chair. Mr. Badderly, in the pre-sence of the medical officer, made some serious charges againstMr. Muschett, one of the workhouse surgeons, stating thaton the previous evening a special committee requested theattendance of Mr. Muschett, who paid no attention to theirrequest, but walked out, leaving it imperative on the com-mittee after several hours’ delay to meet again. Not only didMr. Muschett so far forget himself (continued Mr. Badderly,)but he chose to remain out until one o’clock in the morning.Now if in the meantime his services had been required, toattend to an urgent case, the authorities might have beenplaced in a very painful position. He had further to com-
plain of Mr. Muschett’s irregularity, in the fact of his havingpermission to go out on Saturday and return on Monday, buthe did not make his appearance in the workhouse untilTuesday afternoon. Mr. Muschett replied that he receivedno official information that his services would be required atthe committee, and he did not see that he was bound to be inat any particular hour. All he heard about his being requiredbefore the committee, was from the assistant-overseer, whomerely said that in all probability he would be wanted. Mr.Coles and other members of the board, further complained ofthe great irregularities of the medical officers of the house, ob-serving that both frequently went out, leaving an unrecogniseddeputy to do their duties. After some further discussion, themedical officers were advised to be more punctual and regularin their conduct in future, and the subject then dropped.
