A regular appetite is generally a symptom,
of a healthy state of system; as soon as
disorder occurs, the appetite flags, nature
herself stops the supplies, which, instead of
nourishing the body, would only increase
the embarrassment of the functions; but
this is not understood, and the sick are too
often tempted and pressed by anxious at-
tendants, to take nourishment, to their own
hurt and discomfort. Even then, nature
asserts her right, and the stomach rejects
what it did not desire. The longings of
appetite sometimes appear to be almost in-
stinctive, especially in illness, particularly
where there has been much or obstinate
vomiting. The patient will express a strong
desire for some article of food or drink which
our preconceived ideas or theories would
certainly forbid, but which being permitted,
seems at once to agree. When the various
morbid deviations from natural appetite are
considered, such latitude requires of course
great caution; but the fact should not be
lost sight of :-a variable appetite, at one
time deficient, at another morbidly active, is
scarcely consistent with health. In children,
it is often indicative of worms. Depraved
appetite consists in the longing for, or
devouring substances not intended for food,
such as chalk, slate pencils, cinders, earth,
&c.: the symptom is not unfrequently a
concomitant of the chlorotic diseases of
young females. The "dirt-eating" of tro-
pical climates is another form of depraved
appetite.

poisoning searched out; but whatever the condition, no time should be lost in procuring medical advice; in the meanwhile, much is to be done by well-directed attentions. Few attacks of apoplexy come on without previous warning; the patient, if of full habit, has suffered from headache or giddiness, especially on stooping, or has slept much and heavily; the mental faculties have been sluggish, the memory affected, or vision impaired; there may have been numbness or pricking in a limb, or in a finger only; to others, the face and eyes have looked full and red ;-if of spare habit, there may also have been headache, giddiness, impaired vision, and confusion; but there has been, also, marked debility of the mental powers, memory affected, the power of following a consecutive train of thought impaired, articulation indistinct, while with these the face has been pale, the pulse weak, the whole manner inanimate, rather than oppressed. Individuals of sanguine temperament, with short necks and large heads, particularly if they live well, are the subjects of the first set of symptoms; those of spare habit, and weak, leuco-phlegmatic constitution, of the second. When in an individual, at any time of life, but more especially after the age of fifty, such symptoms shew themselves, they should not be neglected for a day. It is evident, however, that depending on two very opposite conditions of body, the treatment for each must be very different. The extent and graduaAPOPLEXY-is an affection of the tion of this treatment ought to be entrusted brain, during the continuance of which, to the medical attendant; in the mean time, sense and voluntary motion are wholly or if interval must elapse before that can be partially extinguished; the patient lies done, the man of full habit should at once unconscious, as if in deep sleep, and can- reduce his diet, cut off entirely, or nearly so, not be roused by any ordinary means. his stimulants and spices, and animal food, More generally the face is flushed, and the eschew supper, take exercise moderately, vessels of the head and temples appear over and rise early. He should purge the bowels filled; there is snoring, or stertor, as it is freely by a couple of calomel and colocynth called; the upper lip margin, partially or pills, taken nightly for a few times, and by entirely, is blown forward at each expira- salines, such as Seidlitz powders or Epsom tion, and the skin is covered with profuse salts, a couple of tea-spoonfuls of the latter perspiration; if the eyes are examined, they in half-pint of water, every morning. Mental appear bloodshot and glassy-looking. In excitement is to be avoided, the head kept some cases, while the symptoms of insensi- well raised in bed, anything, either handkerbility, perspiration, &c., are present, the chief or shirt, round the neck, worn perfectly face is pale, and the appearance is one of easy. The man of spare habit must follow general depression; the weak pulse con- a more negative plan. Rest and quiet of trasting with its full hard condition in the body and mind are for him essential; anyformer case. If a person be found in a thing likely to tax the nervous power, parstate of apoplexy, as he can give no account ticularly of a sexual character, must be of himself, it is important for others to avoided; over fatigue is dangerous; while ascertain whether there is any assignable the bowels are kept regular, they must cause for the circumstance. The head not be purged; the diet easy of digestion, should be examined for signs of violence; ought to be nourishing; and stimulants, if the breath for the odour of alcoholic drink; habitually taken, must not-unless found any circumstances likely to give occasion to directly to cause uneasiness in the head

exchanged for weakness in every way, for weakness which increases as time goes on, loss of memory, irritability, childish desires, and childish weeping, till in all probability one or more attacks of the disease close the scene. Lastly, apoplexy may pass on to deeper and deeper insensibility, no sign of consciousness is ever given, the breathing becomes more laboured, the natural offices are performed involuntarily, the sweat becomes the cold one of death, which takes place with or without convulsions.

Apoplexy may come on suddenly; the person is struck as if by a blow, but this form is less to be dreaded than that which creeps on more insidiously. An individual becomes giddy and faint for a few minutes, perhaps vomits, but seems to recover; shortly after, however, he becomes dull, the eyes heavy, and insensibility gradually comes over him. The first form is most probably owing to sudden congestion in the head, or to rapid effusion of blood; the latter to slower effusion; in this case, the first shock is felt at the instant the vessel gives way, but it requires the further gradual effusion to complete the attack. An individual who has once suffered an attack of apoplexy, and recovered, cannot too carefully avoid every possible exciting cause. A momentary imprudence, the stooping to tie a shoe, looking at objects much above the level of sight, &c., a warm bath, may be sufficient to induce serious symptoms. Especially must the bowels be kept so easy that straining at stool is never

be discontinued, without medical sanction; spices, however, should be avoided. The temperature of the skin generally, and of the extremities, should be sufficiently preserved. When an individual is seized with symptoms denoting apoplexy, it being ascertained that they neither proceed from violence to the head, from intoxication, nor narcotic poison.-See Head-Intoxication Poison-during the longer or shorter interval which may elapse before the medical man can arrive, much is to be done. The patient should be laid on the back, the head and shoulders well raised, the neck bared, and a free current of air permitted to the head. If there is much redness and congestion of the face and head, with full hard pulse, in a person of full habit, if, as may happen, medical aid is far distant in point of time, and if there is any one present competent to bleed from the arm, it may be done to the extent of from sixteen to twenty-four ounces; it may not do good, but in such a case it can scarcely do harm. If leeches are to be had in the case now supposed, from one to two dozen of them may be applied over the head, temples, and behind the ears, either as an adjunct to, or substitute for bleeding from the arm. The amount of blood taken in this way, must be left a little to the discretion of an intelligent lay adviser. In addition, free purging should be resorted to. As the power of swallowing is lost or impaired, medical men usually effect this by means of a drop of croton oil placed on the tongue, and repeated if requisite; but in the circumstances now supposed, this can scarcely be obtain-required. The system of diet and regimen able, and instead of it, a clyster containing should be strictly laid down by the medical salt or soap-water, Epsom salts, turpentine, attendant, and as strictly adhered to by the castor-oil, or whatever purgative is most patient; the mind carefully kept from exreadily available, must be given; the warmth citement. In no disease, with exception, of the feet must be preserved, but not ex-perhaps, of that of the heart, does the man cited, by hot water, mustard, &c. All attempts at giving nourishment must be suspended for many hours. In the event of the attack presenting the opposite symptoms, those of depression, all attempts at depletion are to be avoided, indeed, it may be requisite in an extreme case, to get a few spoonfuls of wine swallowed; purging must be let alone, but the extremities should be-Refer to-Nitro-Muriatic Acid, kept well warmed, and mustard poultices may be freely applied to the legs, thighs, or between the shoulders; liquid nourishment, such as meat broth, must be got down in teaspoonfuls at a time. To the medical attendant must be left all beside. An attack of apoplexy may either disappear or be removed, and leave the patient apparently in perfect health, or it may leave him paralyzed in body, and weakened in mind, the man but not the same man,-changed; strength has been

who possesses habitual self-control, in body and mind, possess more advantage, than in apoplectic tendency, over the slave of passion or of temper."

Refer to-Paralysis.

AQUA-FORTIS.-NITRIC ACID.-Refer to-Nitric Acid.

AQUA-REGIA.-NITRO-MURIATIC ACID.

AREOLA.-A term applied medically to the inflamed circle which surrounds a vesicular or pustular elevation, such as that of the vaccine vesicle. Also applied to the coloured circle surrounding the female nipple. Generally, not invariably, previous to pregnancy, this areola is light in colour, but in the majority of cases, soon after conception, it begins to darken, and in some individuals, especially in those of dark complexion, it becomes of a deep brown. The

* APOPLEXr-Refer to Gout.

change of colour in the areola, is, therefore,
classed amid the more certain signs of preg-
nancy, but as it has been known to exist in
the virgin, and is not universally developed
in the pregnant female, it can never alone be
taken as a decisive proof, but only as a
corroborative, along with other symptoms.
Refer to-Pregnancy.

ARM-PIT.-See AXILLA.
ARNICA

MONTANA.-Leopard'sbane, is a plant bearing a composite flower, found in mountainous regions. It is scarcely if ever prescribed internally in this country; as an external application, however, it is much and beneficially used in the treatment of wounds and contusions. From one to two drachms of the tincture in half-a-pint of water forms a convenient lotion. The homeopathic practitioners claim arnica as one of their own remedies, and their chemists ask for their tincture an extravagantly high price. The drug itself has long been used externally, on the Continent, and the tincture may be procured equally good, and much cheaper, at many respectable chemists. Like every thing else, there is much spurious tincture sold. When the pure tincture is dropped into water, it gives it a milky or opalescent appearance.

AROMATICS.-Stimulants derived from the vegetable kingdom, possessing a more or less powerful and generally agreeable odour, a warm and agreeable taste. They are for the most part products of warm climates and appear specially adapted to the relaxed constitutions of the natives. A free use of aromatics is said to counteract the effects of malaria in tropical countries. Some stimulant is certainly requisite in those climates, and the native productions bestowed by Providence, are evidently much better adapted to fulfil the indication than alcoholic excitants. Mace, cloves, cinnamon, are all aromatics. Angelica is one of the few aromatics of temperate climates, and perhaps the best.”

ARROW-ROOT-now so well known, is procured of the best quality from the West Indies, especially from Bermuda, whence it is imported in soldered tin cases. It is now also imported from East India, and an inferior kind is brought from Tahiti. Arrow-root is subject to much mixture and adulteration, but generally-as with potato-starch, &c., ofa harmless character as regards the consumer. The "Lancet" periodical, has recently, by means of its "Sanitary Commission,' thoroughly investigated the subject of these adulterations. The best arrow-root ought to be pure white, slightly glistening in the mass, and the powder of which it is composed, collected together in small crumbs or lumps,

"

which break down with a slight crackling
sensation beneath the finger. Arrow-root
is pure starch, and forms a peculiarly stiff
jelly. As an article of sick cookery it is
invaluable, where mild support is required
without stimulation, and in convalescence.
and chronic disease. There are few stomachs
with which it disagrees, and infants both
like and do well with it. At the same
time, it is proper to caution against the too
common error of trusting too much to the
nutritive powers of arrow-root alone, es-
pecially for children. It may give support
indirectly, that is to say, by supplying ma-
terial for respiration and animal heat, it may
save the tissues of the body, or it may even go
to build up some of these tissues, but alone
it can never make bone or muscle, for the
simple reason that it does not contain the
elements necessary for these constituents
of the frame. A child fed exclusively on
arrow-root, water, and sugar, and such has
been the case, must become unhealthy, and,
without fail, ricketty. The case is abun-
dantly altered, when, with arrow-root, milk
is combined. In this fluid exists whatever
is requisite for the animal frame, nitrogen for
its muscle, phosphorus for its nerve, earthy
salts for its bone. The combination of arrow-
root with milk is one of the best which can
be given to a child, or to an adult in the
early stages of convalescence from illness.
†ARSENIC is a metal; the substance
which usually goes under the name, and
which is also called white arsenic, is an oxide
of the metal; it is a too well-known poison,
and is perhaps more universally used than
any other, for destroying life. Its tasteless-
ness, cheapness. and the culpable facility
with which it has hitherto been obtainable
have combined to make it familiar. Much
controversy has at times taken place respect-
ing the effect of arsenic upon the palate; it
is certain, the taste is very faint, but ex-
treme irritation of the portions of the lining
mucous membrane of the mouth and other
parts, quickly follows its contact. The length
of time after arsenic has been swallowed,
that symptoms take to shew themselves,
varies much, depending in all probability
upon the state of the stomach as to empti-
ness, or the reverse. Sometimes they appear
in a few minutes, at other times not for hours.
Poisoning by arsenic is distinguished by
faintness, nausea, intense burning pain at
the pit of the stomach, and vomiting of its
ordinary contents, followed by that of a turbid
brown fluid, and mucus, often streaked with
blood; intense burning heat in the throat, and
thirst; purging ensues, cold sweats, convul
sions, death. The eyes may become inflamed.
but this is more general when the case is

AROMA-The pleasant odoriferous principle of either animal or vegetable substances.

+ ARSENIC.-The danger arising from paper bangings coloured with arsenical green is now sufficiently wellknown. It is the flock papers which are most likely to be injurious, and of course the more confined the room the more likely the chance of mischief. People generally are now so well aware of the deleterious effects of articies of dress coloured with arsenical green, that danger from such a cause must be wilfully curred.

prolonged, as it may be, in consequence of, the small dose, or from other circumstances; in this case an eruption on the skin is not unfrequent. The symptoms of course vary, particularly that of pain, which occasionally has been almost entirely absent. It must, too, be remembered, that the symptoms of British cholera and those of arsenical poison, very closely resemble one another. When poisoning by arsenic is suspected, of course the first measure is to procure efficient medical aid. In the meantime, it is requisite to get as much of the poison as possible evacuated from the stomach; it is seldom necessary to produce vomiting, that most generally comes on soon; but if it has not done so, five-and-twenty grains of white vitriol-sulphate of zinc-if procurable, should be given at once, in a little water; if this is not done, a table-spoonful of mustard in water, or tickling the throat with a feather, should be resorted to; milk, which by its coagulation may envelope the poison, or thick mucilag nous drinks olive oil, alone or mixed with lime water, may, any or all, be given, and with them, magnesia. The great object must be, to clear the stomach of the poison as thoroughly and speedily as possible, for unlike many other poisons, there is no chemical antidote to arsenic which can be relied on. A preparation of iron has been vaunted, but it is of doubtful efficacy; if either this, or the stomach pump is used, it will be in medical hands. In following the directions already given, the friends or neighbours of the poisoned person will be doing good service. Should the patient survive, and pass on to the second stage of arsenical poisoning, inflammation of the stomach, nervous symptoms, &c., will perhaps end life, or recovery may follow, but these changes must necessarily be attended to under medical guidance. White arsenic is not the only preparation of the metal by which poisoning occurs; the colouring substances known by the name of King's yellow, and Scheele's green, are both compounds of arsenic, and being frequently, and culpably, used in confectionary, have proved fatal. Similar symptoms occur, and similar treatment is to be followed as after poisoning by white arsenic. Whether in poisoning by arsenic, or by any other agent, the vomited matters should always be carefully preserved in a vessel by themselves, for medical inspection; and if there is any suspicion of foul play, some responsible person should place them under lock and key. Did those who perpetrate the crime of poisoning by arsenic, know beforehand, with what certainty the chemist can separate, for exhibition in a court of

justice, the instrument of their wickedness, perhaps from the body of the victim, years after it had been buried; selfish fear, if no other consideration, might stop the deed. An Act to Regulate the Sale of Arsenic,

14° Victoria, Cap. xii.

Whereas the unrestricted sale of Arsenic facilitates

the commission of crime: Be it enacted by the
Queen's most excellent Majesty, by and with the ad-
vice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal
and by the authority of the same as follows:
and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled,

1. Every person who shall sell any Arsenic shall forthwith and before the delivery of such Arsenic to the Purchaser, enter or cause to be entered in a fair and regular manner, in a Book or Books to be kept by such person for that purpose, in the form set forth in the Schedule to this Act, or to the like effect, a statement of such sale, with the quantity of Arsenic required or stated to be required, and the day of the so sold, and the purpose for which such Arsenic is month and year of the Sale, and the name, place of abode, and condition or occupation of the Purchaser, into all which circumstances the person selling such quire of the Purchaser before the delivery to such Arsenic is hereby required and authorized to inPurchaser of the Arsenic sold, and such entries shall in every case be signed by the person making the same, and shall also be signed by the Purchaser, unless such Purchaser profess to be unable to write [in which case the person making the entries hereby required shall add to the particulars to be write"]. And when a Witness is hereby required to the Sale, shall also be signed by such Witness, together with his place of abode.

entered in relation to such sale, the words "cannot

II. No person shall sell Arsenic to any person who the Sale be made in the presence of a person who is is unknown to the person selling such Arsenic, unless known to the person selling the Arsenic, and to whom the Purchaser is known, and who signs his name, together with his place of abode, to such entries beand no person shall sell Arsenic to any person other fore the delivery of the Arsenic to the Purchaser, than a person of full age.

III. No person shall sell any Arsenic unless the Indigo, in the proportion of one ounce of Soot or same be before the Sale thereof mixed with Soot or half-an ounce of Indigo at the least to one pound of Arsenic, and so in proportion for any greater or less quantity: provided always that where such Arsenic is stated by the Purchaser to be required not for the use of Agriculture, but for some other purpose for which such admixture would, according to the representation of the Purchaser, render it unfit, such Arsenic may be sold without admixture in a quantity of not less than ten pounds at any one time.

IV. If any person shall sell any Arsenic, save as authorized by this Act, or on any sale of Arsenic shall deliver the same without having made and signed having obtained such signature or signatures to such the entries hereby required on such sale, or without entries as required by this Act, or if any person purchasing any Arsenic shall give false information to the person selling the same in relation to the parauthorized to inquire into of such Purchaser, or if ticulars which such last-mentioned person is hereby any person shall sign his name as aforesaid as a Witness to a sale of Arsenic to a person unknown to the person so signing as Witness, every person so offending shall for every such offence, upon a summary_conviction for the same before Two Justices of the Peace in England or Ireland, or before two Justices of the Peace or the Sheriff of Scotland, be liable to a penalty not exceeding Twenty Pounds.

V. Provided that this Act shall not extend to the Sale of Arsenic when the same forms part of the in