ticity. The invalid bed lift of Messrs Hooper & Co., is very valuable in some severe cases, where it is impossible to change the patient's bed without great pain and trouble. Iron beds, without curtains of any kind, are by far the most healthy for general use, and for public institutions no other kind will do. vapour baths invented or patented, that it | morning, but always retain the same elaswould be invidious to enumerate; any who wish to procure them will have no difficulty in doing so. There is, however, one form of vapour bath so simple and inexpensive that it deserves mention. Having procured three or four new bricks, as porous as possible, let them be boiled in water for about an hour and half, by which time they will be thoroughly saturated with the heat and moisture. Place the heated bricks upon In cases where there is great difficulty the floor, and seat the patient upon a chair of breathing, so that the patient is forced to over them; let a blanket, pinned closely sit up in bed, a bed rest will be found of round the neck, fall so as to cover the great value. One should be obtained that patient's chair and limbs, the steam thrown can be moved or inclined at different angles out is most abundant, and forms a most according to the wish of the patient, so efficient vapour bath. as to cause as little inconvenience as posBED.-Heal's spring beds, although ex-sible in changing his posture. Bedsteads pensive, are a decided improvement upon for invalids can be obtained with a part of Fig. 1 represents a patient raised up from the Water Matress, and supported on the Lift, which is furnished with a suitable opening for the abovenamed objects. those of feathers, hair, &c., inasmuch as when the body is moved they at once regain their position, and do not allow the same extent of the accumulation of the secretions of the body, of heat and moisture. They also save a great deal of hard work to domestic servants, as they do not require to be shaken up and tumbled about every FIG. 2. the sacking made to rise at the head so as to support the back. This may be elevated to any desirable angle by means of two upright pieces with holes and pins through the bed-frame. While in this position the feet of the patient should always be supported by a foot-board, to prevent him slipping down in bed. Fig. 2 represents a patient at rest on the Patent Bed-Lift, the Lift not being in use. BLINDNESS (COLOUR). It was discovered by the late Dr George Wilson, the distinguished Professor of Technology, in the University of Edinburgh, that this is a much more common affection than is generally supposed. He proved conclusively from his experiments that a large number of persons were unable to distinguish the different colours, and also, that these same persons were quite unaware of the fact themselves. It follows that Railway Companies FIG. 3. Fig. 3 represents the back por tion of the Lift in use, which can be adjusted to any required inclination. should be exceedingly careful with regard to this particular in the selection of their servants, as it is easy to suppose how accidents might arise from the wrong interpretation of signals. A remarkable form of temporary colour blindness is produced by the administration of the new remedy, Santonine, for long round worms. Patients taking this drug complain that they see everything coloured green or red, and they are often afraid that the condition may continue, whereas it always ceases when the medicine is left off for a few days. It colours the urine of a deep citron yellow tinge, and this is at once changed to a brilliant scarlet on adding a few drops of solution of caustic potash to it, hence we may easily understand how the tissue of the eye may be acted upon to cause the above-mentioned effects. Santonine has even been tried as a remedy in some cases of blindness, but without much success as yet. some and agreeable article of diet, and is found to agree better with some persons than bread made in the ordinary way. The chief objection brought against it is, a tendency to become disagreeably dry. The process for aerated bread, which was first proposed by Dr Dauglish, consists in preparing the dough with water which has been fully impreg nated with carbonic acid gas. This is done under pressure in air-tight receptacles, and when the pressure is removed, of course, the gas expands the dough which it has been the means of forming; in fact, the dough effervesces, and the "sponge," as the dough is called, in this case is formed instantaneously, instead of, as under the old mode, by the slow extrication of carbonic acid gas, formed at the expense of a portion of the flour, which was thus altogether lost. Bread made in the usual way with yeast or leaven has the first principles of fermentation, decomposition, and putrescence commenced in it, and when taken into a stomach in which, from disease or the weakness of infancy, the gastric juices are not suffi ciently powerful to arrest the fermentive process, it becomes a source of disconfort, flatulence, diarrhoea, &c. On the contrary, the aerated bread, being vesiculated or lightened by the mechanical action of the fixed air or carbonic acid gas, has none of the putrefactive elements in its compoIn some cases, colour blindness is com-sition. It is therefore easily digested and plete, and in others it only exists to a slight degree. The following table of Dr Wilson's will show how frequent this defect is: blue "" 1 in 55 confound red with green. "" brown 44 1 in 60 1 in 46 Hence, one in every 17.9 persons is colour blind. Most persons will be surprised to learn from the above table what a large proportion of people are unable to distinguish colours; but it is not after all so astonishing when we reflect how many people have peculiarities as to their other senses of taste, smell, touch, and hearing. Dalton, the celebrated chemist, was colour blind, and hence the affection is often called "Daltonism." BREAD, AERATED. There exist in most of our large towns manufactories for the production of this form of bread. Being very light, it is in many respects a whole assimilated, and may even be eaten quite new by the dyspeptic without his feeling any of the discomfort which new leavened bread generally produces on all but the most vigorous stomachs. The aerated bread has a like salutary effect on infants when they are obliged to be brought up wholly or partially by hand. The aerated bread forms a soft, jelly-like compound, when mixed with milk and water, which is easily sucked through the tube of a common feeding-bottle, and with a little fine sugar makes a food of which infants grow very fond. It may be stated that it is more economical to bake bread at home, provided the flour can be obtained of the best qua lity, and the baking arrangements are such as to secure the production of good bread on every occasion. Brown bread, now so largely used, especially by those of a costive habit of body, is made of wheat flour ground | be injected into the nostrils with a syringe coarsely, and wholly or partially left un- and warm water should be, at the same dressed, or of a mixture of this with rye, time, freely injected. In such cases, barley, or oatmeal. tonics, cod-liver oil, and residence at a BREATH.-Some persons suffer habit- bracing part of the sea coast are very ually from tainted breath; and many beneficial. It is again repeated, however, remedies have been proposed. The first that such cases, especially if ulceration be thing to do is to ascertain the cause of this suspected, should at once be put under the very disagreeable affection. If it is de- care of a medical man. The odour of the pendent upon carious teeth, the dentist breath in the affection called pyæmia, should at once be consulted. The holes or which carries off so many of our cases of cavities in decayed teeth, besides at times capital operation, especially in large and giving off an offensive odour from their crowded hospitals, is of a peculiar sweetcarious or ulcerating surface, become filled ish, haylike odour, very familiar to with particles of food, which rapidly surgeons who dread the occurrence of this undergo decomposition from the constant symptom after an operation, knowing but passage of the heated breath over them. too well that it is not unlikely to be folWhen foul breath proceeds from ulcera-lowed by fatal consequences. tion of the gums, whether connected or not with bad teeth, a medical man should be consulted, as also when there is ulceration about the palate or posterior part of the nostrils. People who suffer from foul breath, from what cause soever, should never employ musk, or any other aromatic substance, with a view to covering or masking the unpleasant odour by a stronger one. Such practices are always disgusting, and, of course, have no effect in remedying the evil. The The following is probably the best and most effectual wash for destroying the odour from all sloughy sores or conditions of the mouth, gums, or throat, giving rise BURNS.-The following may be laid to foul breath:-Take of solution of Per- down as at once the simplest and the manganate of Potash, one ounce. 15 best, as well as the most readily appli drops of this, mixed with two or three cable, and the least painful and troubletable-spoonfuls of water, may be used some method of treatment. Suppose a frequently for rinsing the mouth. If the person, whose clothes have been set on foul breath proceed from disordered condi- fire, to be badly burned. The clothes should tions of the stomach or bowels, and be at once be cut off and removed. The accompanied with an offensive odour of patient must, however, be kept warm, the evacuations, 10 drops of the solution, as he invariably suffers much from cold mixed with two table-spoonfuls of water, and depression soon after a burn. may be swallowed twice a day, with the burned surface should next be smeared best effect. A good plan also, in cases of over with a feather with some oily subthe latter kind, is to take 5 grains of stance, it does not much matter what, powdered charcoal three times a day, provided it be fresh. Carron oil is good, if either alone or with an equal quantity of it can be had (ie., equal parts of olive or white bismuth. Charcoal biscuits are linseed oil and lime water). Next, linen or prepared for this purpose, and may be had muslin is to be steeped in this oily subat some of the principal chemists. Animal stance, and laid over the burned parts. charcoal is the most effectual. In a very Those parts which are much burned. bad case, which was quite incurable, and ought to be well protected with this, very offensive, a respirator of charcoal and finally a layer of cotton wool should might be worn, such as is recommended to be put on and secured by some light turns be used in cases where it is necessary to of bandage. Unless in the case of a slight be exposed to foul or to infectious odours. scald, in spite of all that has been said or The breath has such an exceedingly bad written to the contrary, nothing can be odour in cases of mortification of the more cruel or absurd than to cover burns lungs, that it will be necessary to employ over with cotton wool, as it sticks to the any and all of the means recommended surface firmly, and becomes saturated with under the head Disinfectants, in order to discharge, which adds to the misery and make the atmosphere of the room, or even pain of the patient by its unpleasant smell. of the house in which the patient is situ All attempts to remove the cotton wool, ated, at all tolerable. The peculiar odour too, cause great pain to the patient, whereof the breath in patients who are under- as, if the oily dressing recommended above going what is called a course of mercury, be first applied, both it and the wool may is so characteristic as to have received the be removed at pleasure, and the dressing name among medical men of mercurial changed and renewed as often as may be fotor. In cases of bad breath caused by necessary, or fresh dressings of another offensive discharge from the nose, the kind, or poultices, may be applied, accorddiluted solution recommended above shoulding to the nature and demands of the case. BURNETT'S SOLUTION, or, as it is sometimes called, Sir Wm. Burnett's Disinfecting Fluid, is one of the cheapest and best liquid disinfectants-see article Disinfectants. It is composed of a solution of chloride of zinc, and, from its cheapness, has been much used in the army and navy. When diluted with water, it may be used to cleanse night chairs, water closets, chamber utensils, &c., and is especially useful for this purpose in cases of gastric or enteric, or, as it is often called, typhoid fever, in which the stools are not only offensive, but are the means of conveying to others the contagious poison peculiar to the disease. The solution is so cheap that it may be freely used for the above and for similar purposes. It is not so good for washing the hands as some other disinfecting solutions (Condy's, for example), as it does not form a good lather with soap. It may be used as a stimulant, disinfecting and deodorising dressing to foul-smelling ulcers and sores, but for such purposes it must be freely diluted, according to the directions which are furnished for its use in the different ways recommended. CALABAR BEAN, THE ORDEAL BEAN OF OLD CALABAR.-This is the seed or bean of a plant called the Physostigma venosum. It is of a brown coffee colour, kidney shaped, and about one inch long, by half an inch thick. The kernel is the active part. When given internally, it acts as a powerful poison, causing paralysis. The Calabar bean has attracted much attention lately, owing to the discovery by Dr Argyll Robertson, of Edinburgh, that when a solution of it is applied to the eye, it causes contraction of the pupil. Now, previous to this, medical men were not acquainted with any substance which could be practically used for this purpose. It is well known that the opposite effect, viz., dilatation of the pupil of the eye, can be readily produced by belladonna, or by its active principle atropia, which are extensively used for this purpose in the treatment of eye diseases. The Calabar bean is used to counteract this effect of belladonna when it is excessive, or when it continues too long. It is also used in the treatment of disease of the eye where it is necessary to produce an effect the opposite to that of belladonna, and it is capable of application to many cases of alteration of the power of vision owing to the faulty adaptation of the structures of the eye to distances. A drop or two of the solution of an alcoholic extract in glycerine is applied to the eye, or still better, what are called Calabar bean papers are used for this purpose. CARBOLIC ACID is obtained from the distillation of coal, of which process it is one of the products. It is an oily-looking liquid, having an odour and taste some what resembling creasote. Like creasote also, it possesses the property of destroying noxious smells and vapours, and is a powerful antiseptic or preserver from decay and putrefaction. It is given internally in the dose of one drop made into a pill, in cases of obstinate vomiting, and it might be tried in cases of sea-sickness, but its chief use is as an external application to foul and gangrenous sores or ulcers, and in cases of disease of the bones in which the discharge is very offensive. One part of the acid should be added to 8 or 10 of water to form a lotion. Some have advocated carbolic acid as a powerful disinfec tant, directing that flat shallow vessels should be filled with a solution of the strength of the above lotion, and distributed through the sickroom, or that rags be dipped in it, and suspended at various parts of the apartment. Carbolic acid forms long needleshaped crystals, (which are very readily dissolved,) and is sometimes obtained in this form. A weak lotion of carbolic acid has been used with benefit in some cases of uterine affections, where the discharge was of an offensive character. CERIUM. The oxalate and the nitrate of this metal have been used in medicine, though it has not been thought worthy of a place in the British Pharmacopœia. These preparations have been principally used to allay vomiting, especially that occurring during pregnancy, and during the course of pulmonary consumption. Dr Simpson, of Edinburgh, has recommended the oxalate to be used for the vomiting of pregnancy, and it has been extensively used for this purpose, but with doubtful effect. It is a white powder, and is given in the dose of from one to three grains. The salts of cerium have been used by some practitioners in the treatment of epilepsy, but here, also, it is not certain that their use has been followed by good results. CHANGE OF TYPE.-The change of the type of disease is perhaps the question of all others which at the present time is most angrily discussed in the ranks of the medical profession, names of the highest eminence being ranged on both sides of the disputants. The question is this:-Is disease, as observed now, the same as disease observed forty years ago, and if so, how are we to account for the great change in practice, which may be best illustrated by the fact that now there is almost an entire disuse of bleeding instead of its nearly constant employment? or, on the other hand, has the type of disease changed, and are our inflammations of a different charac ter than formerly, and can this different character be proved by the result of au examination of inflamed parts after death, as contrasted with those formerly examined? It will readily be understood how very few medical men are in a position to give an opinion upon a subject which requires so much experience and so much extended observation to settle it. Here, as in most similar questions, both parties are probably right to a certain extent; that is to say, our diseases at present, as a rule, are not of the severe or in medical language, sthenic type which marked them fifty years ago, owing, doubtless, to the influence of many external circumstances, while it must also be admitted that a closer, a more accurate, and a more advanced ob servation of the phenomena of disease, has satisfied the minds of medical men that the severe bleedings of many of the more ignorant of the routine practitioners of days gone by were unnecessary and even hurtful. It is well known that there were many in the times alluded to, who looked with great distrust and apprehension upon the indiscriminate blood-lettings of their brethren who ruthlessly ordered poor dying men and women to lose 50 or 60 ounces of blood, because they were feverish! In short, were one to sum up all that has been said upon this subject, it would amount in substance very much to this-that whether the type of disease has changed or not, the bleeding system was carried to a most enormous excess; that the type has probably not changed quite so much as those of the old school would have us believe, and that at the present time there is not a little danger of the non-bleeding system being overdone by those who treat diseases ac cording to the theories advanced by others, and not upon the merits of each individual Mix. Oxide of zinc, . Carron oil, one drachm half-an-ounce Simple ointment,. half-an-ounce from their liability to absorb poisonous substance into the blood. For the treatment of chapped hands, M. Testelin recommends the application of honey heated in an oven, and deprived of its viscidity by the removal of the froth formed under the influence of heat. It should be applied over the hands whenever they are washed, and spread with gentle friction. The above-mentioned author asserts that he has thus succeeded in curing chaps, and in preventing their return, in servant maids whose hands are frequently exposed to the contact of water, and who usually suffered from this inconvenient affection throughout the winter. He prescribed the same remedy with entire success in Brussels to a clear-starcher, although this person did not for a single day discontinue her employ ment. CHILBLAINS, when the skin is unbroken, are said to be quickly cured by the following:-Take of tincture of iodine, two drachms; chlorinated solution of soda, six drachms. Apply over inflamed parts twice or thrice daily, drying in before the fire. The following ointment is also very good, and may be used whether the skin is broken or not:-Take of benzoate of zinc, one scruple; fresh lard, one ounce. Mix. To be applied night and morning. The following domestic remedy is also sometimes of service:-Shake well together in a bottle, spirits of turpentine, white vinegar, and the contents of an egg, in equal proportions. Rub gently when the chilblains are in a state of irritation, and until the redness and swelling are dissipated. Two parts of glycerine to 100 of collodion make an excellent protective application. When there is great pain and irritation, the following powerful remedy may be used:-Take of tincture of aconite, an ounce and a half; atropia, two grains; rectified spirit, half-an-ounce. Mix. Mark Poison. Twenty drops to be rubbed into the affected parts night and morning. N.B.-It is not to be applied where the skin is broken. CHILD. It not unfrequently happens Glycerine, either alone or with a small that a mother, for some time at all events quantity of sugar of lead added to it, is after the birth of her child, especially if it very useful, and ought to be applied to the be her first, is unable to suckle it without hands of those who suffer much in this great pain, owing to the nipple being so exway, after each time they are washed. ceedingly tender, that when the child conN.B.-Those who are obliged, from the tinues its efforts to suck, darting pains are nature of their occupation, to wash felt through the whole breast. Some nurses their hands frequently, are the great are ignorant and foolish enough to believe, sufferers from chaps, the chaps and to tell young women that this is good or cracks themselves becoming for them, and ought not to be relieved, dangerous, in some occupations, when the fact is that many women are |