66 possesses anthelmintic properties; and the observations of Kluge prove, that calomel given to a pregnant woman exerts injurious effects upon her foetus, whereas other preparations of the metal, in which the oxidation is more complete, do not so. Baglivi, in the following sentence, alludes to the anthelmintic properties. R. Mercurii crudi recte purgati, unc. j. Aquæ graminis et portulacæ, ana, uncias quatuor; macerentur per duas horas sæpe ac fortiter agitando; postea decanta aquam et cola, relicto in vase mercurio. Non datur prestantius pro fugandis vermibus hoc remedio, ut observavimus, docente Georgio Bateo, Angliæ archiatro.” The odour of other metals, although scarcely appreciable by us, seems to be disagreeable to many of the lower animals. It has been remarked, that a dog, even though well trained, is reluctant to seize and carry a piece of gold; and perhaps the mere effluvia of tin, when given as anthelmintic, may have some pernicious effects on intestinal worms. EXAMPLES OF SYMPATHY IN DISEASE. A very frequent, but hitherto almost unnoticed symptom of diseased liver, is a feeling of irritation and pressure on the larynx and pharynx. Dr. Pitschaft, when he first announced this, was not aware that former writers had noticed it; he finds however in Baglivi's work, the following sentence. "Jecore affecto dolores ad jugulum e directo fiunt." The etiology of this symptom is probably to be sought for in the distribution of the par vagum; and in the same manner perhaps we may explain the supervention of aphonia on many occasions. How common this is when the mind is much agitated; terror, rage, and immoderate desire are well known to rob the persons of their speech. Illi membra novus solvit formidine torpor, Arrectæque horrore comæ et vox faucibus hæsit. Valerius Maximus mentions that Egles Samius, a wrestler, who was quite dumb, when unjustly deprived of Dr. Burdach has lately published sereral cases in confirmation of the good effects of small doses of the corrosive sublimate in cases of rheumatism. For the last twenty years Dr. Pitschaft has been in the habit of employing mercury against this disease; the preparation which he prefers is the red precipitate; it is more mild, and quite as efficacious as the sublimate. He gives it in doses of from one-eighth to a fourth part of a grain twice a day; should it irritate the alimentary canal, a small quantity of opium should be combined with it. When the periosteum is affected, the sabina will be found a useful adjunct; when the nervous system is irritable, the chenopodium may be given, and when the lymphatic system is torpid, the arnica and calamus may be given along with it. As an external application to the affected parts, Dr. P. recommends a salve prepared with caustic ammonia, or one with borax, if there should be any oedematous swelling of the limb. TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY. In almost all cases of epilepsy, depending upon some disturbance of the cerebral circulation, the following powders will, if persevered in for a considerable time, mitigate if not altogether cure the malady. B. Cinnbar. fact. Herb. nicotia. āā Яj. Extr. aloes aquos, gr. v. M. in pulv. xx. divid. One twice a day. Many of the older authors had great faith in the virtues of cinnabar, and it acquired the name of magnes epilepsia. Dr. Pitschaft regards it as a 'remedium divinum.' We know that the Eastern nations very generally employ it, combined with musk in cases of hydrophobia.-Hufeland's Journal. EXTRACTS FROM THE CASE BOOK OF DR. MOMBERT. RUPTURE OF THE UTERUS; GREAT IN EQUALITY OF THE THICKNESS OF ITS PARIETES. Dr. M. was summoned to a woman who had been in labour for several days, under the care of a midwife, but before he could reach her abode she had expired. On examination per vaginam, the os uteri was dilated to the size of a dollar, and the head of a child could be distinctly felt. Dr. M. proceeded at once to extract the child by the cæsarian operation. As soon as the abdominal parietes were divided, an immense mass of blood was discharged in a profuse stream, and the floor was deluged with the gush; the intestines protruded out of the wound, and incommoded the steps of the operation; when these were replaced, Dr. M. very naturally expected to find the distended uterus, but not so: on continuing the examination, he found the fœtus, with the placenta attached, and surrounded with much fluid and clotted blood, lying in the cavity of the pelvis, behind the ruptured uterus. The child was quite dead. The uterus presented a very remarkable inequality in the thickness of its walls. The rupture was on the posterior surface, extending from the cervix to the very fundus, and here the substance of the uterus was not thicker than pasteboard; the breadth of this exceedingly thin portion was about an inch and a half. At the fore and upper part of the fundus, and in some parts of the sides, the uterine parietes were from three and a half to four inches thick; and it was observed that they became gradually more and more attenuated towards the posterior surface. The texture of the uterus throughout was unusually pale, but possessed the ordinary firmness of consistence. The patient was about 30 years of age, and had borne several children. In the present labour, the pains at first were strong and severe, but became weaker and weaker. All of a sudden the alarming symptoms which indicate rupture of the womb, such as the feeling as if something within had given way, sharp fixed pains through the pelvis, syncope, &c. set in; but her ignorant attendant had no idea of the fatal calamity. It is to be observed, that for some hours before death, the labour pains had utterly ceased. Remarks. Several similar cases are recorded in Voigtel's Pathological Anatomy. In one example, the uterine walls at the site of the rupture were not thicker than three sheets of writing paper folded together, and had a blueish appearance. In another, the reporter says, that they did not exceed the thickness of the back of a knife, whereas at the fundus they were at least two inches thick. LUMBRICUS FOUND IN THE WOUND AFTER AN OPERATION FOR HERNIA. On The patient was a youth, 18 years of age, and laboured under a scrotal rupture; it had become irreducible after a scuffle, and could not be replaced by the taxis. He would not consent to the operation till the sixth day after the incarceration. The prognosis therefore was not a very favourable one. dividing the abdominal parietes and the peritoneum, the omentum presented itself; it was of a brownish black colour, and quite sphacelated; and the noose of gut contained in the sac was of a dark colour, but it did not feel soft and lacerable to the fingers. With much difficulty the bowel was replaced, and a considerable portion of the mortified omentum was detached. The future progress of this case was much more favourable than could have been anticipated; the constitutional symptoms became favourable, and the wound shewed a disposition to heal, although the purulent discharge from it had never a healthy appearance. On the thirteenth day after the operation Dr. M. was suddenly summoned to his patient, whom he found in the greatest consternation, in consequence of his having found in the wound when he was dressing it, three large lumbrici. which he by gentle pulling had extracted-they were each about six inches long. Dr. M. at first suspected that the worms might have been discharged from the anus, and afterwards have crept up to the wound, and there lodged themselves; but as this had been covered and secured, not only by cerate dressing, but also by adhesive plaster and bandages, the idea was quite improbable. From the hour of the expulsion, the wound assumed a much more healthy aspect, and in eight days afterwards it had entirely healed. Dr. M. states that he is assured in his own mind that the bowel was not at all cut or injured during the operation. Remarks. The occurrence of worms in cases like the preceding has been noticed by several authors, as Haller, Schulze, Schmucker, &c. and lately a very interesting example was published in the July number of this (Hufeland's) Journal. SIMPLE TREATMENT OF A FACIAL NEURALGIA. Dr. M. was called to the relief of a lady 42 years of age, who had for some time been suffering from severe infra-orbital neuralgia. As the attacks of pain were periodic, returning generally every morning, it was suspected that a masked intermittent fever might be the exciting cause of the malady [why was this idea not acted upon and the quinine &c. not exhibited?-Rev.] In vain opium, belladonna, conium, laurel, water, and many other remedies were tried they afforded only a temporary relief. Dr. M. happening to be with his patient during a very severe paroxysm, put in trial an expedient which, it had frequently occurred to him might be of use: he directed a small stream of icecold water, by means of a clyster pipe, upon the pained part; the effect was instantaneous and most soothing; but soon the pains returned as acute as before; he now applied compresses wrung out of hot water, and on removing these, he again made the stream of cold water play upon the part; the relief was immediate. This treatment, the alternate application of heat and cold, was repeated as often as the pain returned; each paroxysm was less severe than the preceding one, and after a few days the disease was entirely checked. Four weeks afterwards the patient was safely delivered of an infant, and from that time, six years ago, up to the present period, she has remained free from her torturer. [It is to be remembered that the preceding was a case of puerperal neuralgia.-Rev. The second case occurred in the person of a young lady, 22 years of age, who had been afflicted with a similar facial neuralgia for three months and who had been subjected to a great variety of remedies, without any avail. Dr. M. recommended the trial of the alternate application of a high heat and cold; and the result was most gratifying. Every paroxysm could be arrested by this means; and ultimately a perfect cure was obtained, accelerated no doubt by the employment for some time of sulphureous baths. RESULTS OF DR. M.'s EXPERIENCE OF IODINE IN SCROFULA. It appears that bronchocele and other forms of scrofula are very common in the district [Wanfried] where the Doctor is settled. The town, of the same name, is situated in a valley surrounded with lofty calcareous mountains. The NUED FOR FOUR MONTHS. When Dr. Oelze, the narrator of this interesting case first saw the patient, a girl eleven years of age, she had been asleep for about six weeks. He visited her on the 18th of May, 1826, and learned the following particulars from the attendants. water which is drunk is good, although CASE OF SOMNOLENCY WHICH CONTIhard, in consequence of the quantity of carbonate of lime which it contains; but the general condition of the poorer classes is deplorably wretched; their habitations being damp and unwholesome, and their food and clothing scanty and miserable. Dr. M. has remarked, that strangers who come to reside in the district generally remain free from the malady, but that their children are almost quite as much exposed to it as the indigenous inhabitants. Many children are born with it; sometimes it disappears of its own accord within the twelvemonth, but it is apt to return in the second or third year. The use of the hydriodate of potass ointment (a scruple to the ounce of lard) is generally sufficient to disperse the swelling in such cases, and the internal exhibition of iodine, or of its preparations, is unnecessary. Dr. M. has never in his practice had occasion to remark any injurious effects from the internal use of the tincture of iodine, in adults. Once indeed he saw the mamma of a young female very much reduced in size, while she was taking the medicine; but by discontinuing it for a time, and giving fennel tea freely the organ regained its dimensions. In this case the iodine had caused a considerable increase in the flow of the catamenia. The burnt sponge seemed sometimes to act more beneficially than the iodine, and vice versa. It is therefore a good practice to alternate the use of the two remedies. The ung. hydriod. pot. should be used at the same time. This treatment must be cautiously watched in plethoric and irritable constitutions, as hæmoptysis is an occasional effect of it. It appears that a good many of the cases of the asthma which present themselves to Dr. M.'s notice, are connected with scrofulous enlargement of some of the intra-thoracic glands; thus, in one example, he found on dissection that the trachea and even the œsophagus were compressed by a tumor which occupied the site of the thyroid gland.-Hufeland's Journal. VOL. XXI. No. 41. 20 At the beginning of the year she had been attacked with measles, which were prevalent at that time in the village; the disease was mild, and her recovery rapid; but in a few days, after she had been able to leave her bed, she complained much of a severe pain in the right ear; this continued for about eight days, and then subsided into the feeling of a dull ringing sound, so constant and so distressing, that the little patient had no sleep for nearly five weeks; otherwise there was no indisposition, except general weakness. Soon afterwards however violent headaches came on; and these were succeeded by colicky pains, which were always increased after eating. The pains in the abdomen ceased in the course of a fortnight, and then for eight days she was distressed with pains in all the limbs and joints of her body. On the 3d of April she fell into a state of torpor or sleep, from which no means which had been tried could rouse her, and she had continued so until the day when Dr. O. first saw her. Some days she uttered a moaning sound once or twice; but with the exception of this. she had lain without food, and as still as a corpse, till two days before Dr. O. had visited her; when, as the patient made an effort to weep, her mother had introduced a small quantity of milk into her mouth. On the following day a similar attempt at weeping was repeated, and this time she was made to swallow half a cup full of coffee. She occasionally coughed, and now and then turned herself in the bed. urine had been passed since the commencement of the somnolency, and only once a very small quantity of hardened fæces had been discharged. The skin had all along been unusually dry. No Dr. O. describes her appearance as follows. The face was pale, the body generally somewhat emaciated; the chest was well expanded, the abdomen drawn in, and the skin of every part felt exceedingly dry to the finger. The respirations were unusually short, but so gentle was each act, as to be with difficulty recognizable: they were however not uniform in this respect; for sometimes the chest appeared to heave up more considerably, although this did not seem to be the result of a deeper breathing; while at other times its motions could not be perceived. The pulsations of the heart were also very irregular in their frequency and strength; usually after each stronger beat numerous smaller ones followed; then the heart seemed to rest awhile quite quiet, or only to be affected with a slight tremor: the pulse at the wrist however was tranquil and much more regular, but very small and easily compressible; it beat from 84 to 94 in the minute. The hands were kept always firmly contracted. When strong hartshorn was held to the nostrils, and applied on the upper lip, the patient sneezed and rubbed her nose with her hand. The effects of galvanism were then tried; slight shocks were sent sometimes from the pit of the stomach to the forehead, eyelids, ears, &c. and at other times from the soles of the feet to the head, arms, and so forth. At first these shocks were evidently distressing, and caused her to draw herself, as it were, together, and to begin crying; the ears appeared to be the most sensitive parts to the galvanic irritation, for whenever one of the poles was applied to them she endeavoured to cover them with her hands, and strove to say that they were pricked and very painful. When asked if she felt pain in any part, she pointed to the neck. Dr. O. told her he wished her to take some coffee, and she permitted a spoonful or two to be poured with a spoon into her mouth; but the efforts to swallow it were evidently most painful and difficult, and it was sometime before all of it disappeared. The deglutition was easier after both sides of the neck, along the track of the œsophagus, were well galvanized. When the hands were gal vanized, they were more contracted than before, and never became properly extended. It was remarked that no particular twitchings of any muscles were ever induced by the application of galvanism. The patient seemed to retain perfect consciousness, and to observe whatever was going on around her, although the eyes were kept always closed. When asked to look at any thing, it was easily seen that she strove to do it; but the eyelids were never more than very imperfectly separated from each other. When drawn asunder a slight resistance was felt, sufficient to indicate that a state of spasmodic contraction of the orbicularis had existed; the eyes had a staring look, and rolled slowly from one side to the other-the pupils were considerably dilated. When the patient uttered any cry, it was observed that she took long and deep inspirations without any apparent impediment or difficulty; but no sooner was she asleep than the breathing became again short and much quickened. It was curious to remark how quickly and almost instantaneously she relapsed into sleep, even after the excitement which had been produced by galvanism was so violent that she had been screaming, kicking with her feet, and beating with her hands against all attempts to repeat it. However much agitated the rest of the body was, the eyes were always kept shut. Dr. O. having persevered in the employment of galvanism for a full hour without any satisfactory good effects, discontinued it; and concluding from the history of the case, that the "primum mobile," or at least one of the most prominent features of the case, was the cessation of the cutaneous secretion, directed his efforts chiefly to restoring this to its normal condition. For this purpose he ordered a mixture of infusion of valerian, camphor, and the compound sulphuric spirit. From the 10th to the 30th of May.It is stated that the child slept very tranquilly after the application of the galvanism until the next morning, when she seemed rather more lively, and told her mother, that the ears, chest, and abdomen in particular, had been very |