being stopped by some metallic substance. I say emphatically a fine lancet, because the coarse, round, blunted tools that are generally sold under the name of guin-lancets, only bruise the gum, and cause horrible pain. The lancet which I use is sickle-shaped, cutting on both edges and finely ground; and if guarded with the middle finger of the right hand, it may be used in the case of the most unruly children, without any possible ill result."-From Am. Jour. Med. Sciences.

A Test for Bile.-M. Pettinkoffer, a German student, has discovered a test for the presence of bile. It consists in adding to the fluid supposed to contain bile, concentrated sulphuric acid, until it becomes hot, and then dropping into it a solution of sugar (syrup,) the presence of bile is manifested by the mixture becoming of a deep pink or red colour, varying in intensity with the amount present.

*

** This seems to be a merely accidental discovery, the reaction being inexplicable upon any known relation or analogy between the substances.-London Lancet.

On the passage of Medicinal Substances through the human econ. omy.-MM. Millon and Laveran, after going through a series of researches, with a view to ascertain in what manner certain medical substances affect the urinary secretions, have arrived at the following interesting results :-

The substances experimented on were, principally, the double tartrate of soda and potash, which was administered 268 times; the sulphate of soda was administered fifteen times; sulphur, four times; and salicine, ten times. The tartrate of soda and potash was chosen in order to ascertain whether the opinions generally entertained respecting the conversion of alkaline tartrates, citrates, and acetates, into carbonates, into the animal economy, are correct. So far from this being invariably the case, it was found that the transformation was very uncertain. Thus, of the two hundred and sixty-eight cases in which the double tartrate was administered, in one hundred and seventy-five the urine was alkaline; in eighty-seven, acid; and in six neutral. The mode of expulsion of the salt appears to depend nearly entirely on the mode of administration. If taken in large doses--ten or twelve drachms, for instance, in a limited period-its effect is generally concentrated on the intestinal canal, and its ingestion is followed by several liquid stools. Sometimes, however, no purgative effect is produced on the digestive tube, and then the urine is alkaline, the salt evidently being absorbed and expelled through the urinary organs. When the same quantity is administered in fractional doses, during a period of ten or twelve hours, the effect produced is different. The salt does not then give rise to purging, but is absorbed and eliminated as an alkaline carbonate by the urinary organs. In the first instance, indigestion follows its administration, and it may be looked upon as an aliment; in the second, there are absorption, assimilation, and secretion, and it is then a medicine. In order to ascertain whether, when the urine was acid or neuter, after the administration of the salt, the soda and potash might

not escape non-decomposed, combined with tartaric acid, or united to some organic acid, several experiments were instituted, by which it was ascertained that the proportion of alkali contained in the acid or neutral urine was identically the same as that contained in normal urine. It thus became evident that the double tartrate did not escape, as such, along with the urine.

Robust men, slightly unwell, shewed the greatest aptitude to digest the tartrates. They occasionally digest part of the salt, even when given at once in large doses. Sometimes, although administered in fractional doses, the urine remained acid. This was the case when

the patient was attacked with diarrhoea, or was in an acutely febrile state. But even then, by persisting in its use, the urine, at first acid, gradually became alkaline. On the other hand, absorption was favoured by constipation.

The administration of the citrate, in absorbing doses, was tried in pneumonia and rheumatism. The blood of the patients thus treated was analyzed ten times. The fibrin was not found to have diminished in quantity, and the buffy coat was as great as before it had been given. Although the alkaline carbonate was formed in the urine, these diseases progressed as usual. The increase of the powers of oxidation, rendered evident by the excess of urea, led to its trial in cases in which the nutrition was languishing; and it was found useful in general debility, phthisis, albuminuria, &c.

The sulphate of soda gave the same results as the double tartrate. Sulphur was never found in the urine, under whatever shape it was administered.-Ibid.

MEDICAL MEMORANDA.

Quinine in Ague.-Dr. Stratton thinks a single large dose in the interval, cures more rapidly than repeated small doses.

Treatment of Neuralgia.-Dr. Jacques, of Antwerp, recommends inoculation, by means of a vaccinating lancet, with a solution of sulphate of morphia.

M. Lafargue recommends inoculation in the same way, with a saturated solution of veratria; and M. Roclauts, a Dutch physician, gives nux vomica, in doses of from three to ten grains in the twentyfour hours.

Succinate of Ammonia in Delirium Tremens.--M. Scharn has seen the most furious delirium overcome as by enchantment, and the disease removed in a few hours, by the use of this remedy alone.

Arsenic in Peritoneal Dropsy.-Dr. Debavay has treated a case successfully. One-twentieth of a grain was given twice a day. The improvement was notable in six weeks, and in six months all symptoms had ceased, and the catamenia, which had been suppressed, were restored.

Mustard in the Convulsions of Children.-Dr. Tripler was led to the employment of this remedy as an emetic, and finding it arrest in

a few minutes an attack of convulsions that had lasted five hours, he has employed it in three other cases with complete success.

Prophylactic Remedy against Ptyalism.-Dr. Schoepf recommends the following tooth-powder during the administration of mercury, to prevent salivation. Dried alum, powdered, Dij.; powder of cinchona, 3j.; to be used by means of a soft brush, morning and evening.-Ibid.

We take the following Extracts from a notice in the last No. of the Medico-Chirurgical Review, of a work entitled "Facts and Observations in Medicine and Surgery. By JOHN GRANTHAM.:

Extensive Burn.-A case of a burn from gunpowder is related, in which nearly the whole of the trunk and a portion of the extremities were involved, "the whole measured above 600 superficial inches, or four feet, 24 inches, and averaged a quarter of an inch in depth. Also the subcutaneous structure was completely lost, so that the arteries and veins were seen, as if neatly dissected, lying on the surface of the muscles and fascia." The successful issue of the case reflects great credit upon the author, especially as more than one untoward occurrence intervened. Three principles especially guided him, the due supply of nutritive food, the regulation of the animal heat, and the external and internal use of antiseptic agents, such as the application of yeast, the evolution of oxymuriatic gas into the apartment, the administration of alkalis, &c. During the extensive suppuration which occurred, six pints of milk in the twenty-four hours served to support the youth's (æt. 17) strength. A sphacelated wound over the sacrum, an attack of bronchitis, and an extensive re-opening of the wound by erysipelas, successively retarded the cure, and long rendered recovery apparently hopeless. It required several years to produce entire healing, during and subsequently to which there has been much tendency to congestion of the brain, requiring small depletions and aperients, and attributable to the imperfect re-establishment of the functions of the skin over so large a surface.

Galvanism.-We quite agree with Mr. Grantham, that the application of galvanism in paralysis, and other chronic affections of the nervous system, has been too much neglected. Indeed, its administration seems to be confined almost to empirics, who apply it in all cases indiscriminately, and consequently do more harm than good. Why a full and fair trial of its medicinal powers should not be made in some of the numerous chronic cases which encumber the hospitals, we cannot imagine. Mr. Grantham relates some cases in which he found this agent, carefully administered for a prolonged period, completely successful; and states the results of his experience in its employment in these conclusions.

"1. Galvanism is identical with the vital action of the nerves of organic life, and the nerves of volition. 2. Its action is determined by the healthy condition

of the brain and spinal marrow. 3. The skin must possess a normal sensation, as well as temperature, before the galvanic action can affect the muscular fibre. 4. The positive plate or wire should be applied over the region of the origin, and the negative to the region of the termination of the nerve. 5. The galvanic influence, when passed along the spine, will be most active in the paralyzed limb. 6. Galvanism is assisted by the alkalis and mercurial action. 7. It restores diminished temperature, decreased circulation, and lost muscular action, in the following order: 1st, temperature, 24, circulation, and muscular action last. 8. It has no effect in disease that alters the structure of nerves. 9. It supersedes manual friction. 10. It is assisted by immersion of the affected limb in a warm bath, into which, the negative plate or wire is placed. In passing a current from the head through one half of the body, the foot should be immersed in warm water. 11. It is injurious when much pain is caused in the muscles by its application. 12. It may be carried to an undue extent, so as to produce congestion of the brain."

On Extirpation of the Superior Cervical Ganglions of the Sympathetic Nerve.-M. Dupuv (the Alfort veterinary professor) stated, that in 1806, along with Dupuytren, he had extirpated the superior cervical ganglions of the sympathetic nerve in the horse. The result of the experiment was redness, with infiltration, and swelling of the ocular and palpebral conjunctiva, and diminution of the volume of the globe of the eye. The horse was killed four months afterwards, and the ends of the nerve were found rounded and swollen. The sympathetic nerve is evidently insensible. When the branches of the fifth pair are cut or lacerated, a horse shrieks with pain, whereas nothing of the kind occurs when the sympathetic is divided. M. Dupuy repeated the experiment seven times, and each time with the same results.-London Lancet.

On the Use of the Thymus Gland.--Dr. Picci, after glancing at the theories of his predecessors, suggests that the use of this Gland is chiefly of a mechanical nature; viz. to occupy a certain space within the thoracic cavity, while the lungs remain unexpanded in the fœtus; and thus to prevent the ribs and sternum from falling in too much upon these vital organs. The size of the Thymus is inversely as the volume of the lungs; and, when the latter become dilated after birth by the admission of air into their cells, the former immediately begins to shrink and become atrophied. In truth, it is only in the adult that the thoracic parietes are moulded completely upon the lungs ; for, in infancy and youth, it is rather the Thymus gland that is, in their place, moulded upon the thorax.

The situation of this gland in the anterior mediastinum and along the median line, the very nature of its tissue, and the greater expansion and development of its inferior half, are adduced as arguments in favour of the opinion now adduced. Besides the well-known circumstance that, in those new-born children in whom the thorax is very largely developed, the Thymus continues to increase gradually even to the end of the second year, it deserves notice that all those animals, in which the lungs are similar to those in the human subject, are provided with this gland; whereas, we find it to be entirely want.

ing in those which breathe by Branchiæ or membranous lungs. In hybernating animals, also, the Thymus exhibits alternations of enlargement and decrease, according to the state of the respiratory organs. In the Amphibia it attains its maximum of development.

The circumstance too of the gland being usually rather larger than ordinary in phthisical patients may be mentioned as lending some probability to the view we have proposed.-Annali Universali. Med. Chirurg. Review.

Croton Oil Plaster.-M. Bouchardat recommends the following method of preparing croton oil plaster. Melt eighty parts of gum diachylon plaster at a very gentle fire, and, when it is semi-liquid, mix with it twenty parts of croton oil. The plaster which results is to be spread thickly on muslin. It will produce considerable irritation of the skin, and may be employed in all cases where revulsives are required. It does not cause such severe pain as many other counter-irritants; and it may be applied over an extensive surface, so that a derivative action may be established proportional to the irritation which is to be combated,--an indispensable condition in the employment of these heroic remedies. M. Bouchardat is fully of opinion that the croton oil plaster will be found available in the treatment of many chronic diseases, both of the respiratory apparatus, and of the abdominal viscera.—Annuaire de Thérapeutique. American Journal Medical Sciences.

MEDICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Extract of a Letter from Professor MEANS, to the Editors:

CASTOR OIL, MANUFACTURED IN GEORGIA.-While the great staple of the South has become a drug upon the markets of the world, and its extensive cultivation is discouraged by the consequent reduction in price, the public mind has been fortunately constrained to direct its attention to other ample and, hitherto, unappreciated facilities, completely within its reach-furnished by our bold and effective water-falls, diversified soil, and delightful variety of climate, and promising equal usefulness, and a better remuneration for an equivalent outlay of labor and expense.

Actuated, as we suppose, with these views, our worthy and enterprising friend Mr. Joshua Willis, of Troup county, Ga., has abandoned the cultivation of Cotton, and most successfully commenced the growth of the Ricinus Communis, or Palma Christi (the Castor Oil Plant.) During the past year, he manufactured about 1500 gallons of oil, which were mostly (we believe) purchased by the druggists and physicians of Columbus, and the circumjacent country.

We were favored with a specimen of the article referred to, and cannot but regard it as a fair and beautiful oil-almost destitute of color, or smell, and with as little of the unpleasant flavor, peculiar to the Castor Oil Bean, as is consistent with an unadulterated preparation--Clear, bland, free from rancidity, and without any foreign admixture, it constitutes an admirable article for domnestic use, and in our hands, manifested mildly, but effectively, its cathartic property. The East Indies have heretofore furnished probably seven-eighths of all the oil consumed in England, but for the last several years, American Oil, derived chiefly from the British Colonies and the Western States, has been ex