king arrived at the end of the prayers, and, on the candidate's ascending the pulpit, one of his majesty's aides-de-camp presented him with a sealed paper. The preacher opened it, and found nothing written therein: he did not however, in so critical a moment, lose his presence of mind; but, turning the paper on both sides, he said, "My brethren, here is nothing, and there is nothing; out of nothing God created all things," and proceeded to deliver a most admirable discourse upon the won ders of the creation.-Bramsen's Letters of a Prussian Traveller.

MEMORY AND RECOLLECTION.

Beasts and babies remember, i. e. recognize; man alone recollects. This distinction was made by Aristotle.-Ethics of Aristotle.

LORD CHATHAM.

His eloquence was of every kind, tranquil, vehement, argumentative, or moralizing, as best suited the occasion. In 1764, he maintained the illegality of general warrants with great energy in the House of Commons. "By the British Constitution," said he, "every man's house is his castle; not that it is surrounded with walls and battlements, for it may be a straw-built shed. Every wind of heaven may blow around it, all the elements of nature may enter in, but the king cannot, the king dares not."Parliamentary Debates.

HEYLIN.

This celebrated man, soon after publishing his "Geography of the World," accepted an invitation to spend a few weeks with a gentleman who lived on the New Forest, Hampshire, with directions where his servant should meet him to conduct him thither. As soon as he was joined by the gentleman's servant, they struck off into the thick of the forest, and after riding for a considerable time, Mr. Heylin asked if that was the right road; and to his great as tonishment received for answer that the conductor did not know, but he had heard there was a very near cut to his master's house through the thicket, and he certainly thought, as Mr. Heylin had written the Geography of the World," that such a road could not have been unknown to him.

66

PETER THE GREAT

Having directed the translation of " Puffendorff's Introduction to the Knowledge of the States of Europe" into the Russian language, a monk, to whom this translation was committed, presented it to the emperor when finished, who turning over the leaves, exclaimed with an indignant air, "Fool! what did I order you to do? is this a translation?" Then referring to the original, he showed him a paragraph in which the author had spoken with great asperity of the Russians, but the translator had omitted it. "Go instantly," said the Czar," and execute my orders rigidly. It is not to flatter my subjects that I have this book translated and printed, but to instruct and reform them."

HOGARTH.

Soon after the celebrated Hogarth set up a carriage, he had occasion to visit the Lord Mayor, (Mr. Beckford). When he entered the Mansion-house, the weather was fine, but being detained some time, it rained heavy when he came out; and leaving the house by a different door to which he entered, he quite forgot his carriage, and immediately began to call for a hackney coach, but finding none on the neighbouring stauds, he sallied forth to brave the storm, and actually reached Leicester Fields without bestowing a thought on the comforts of having a vehicle of his own, until Mrs. Hogarth, surprised to see him so wet and splashed, asked him where he had left it.

ORME.

When this intelligent historian presided in the export warehouse of Madras, one Davidson, who acted under him, one day at breakfast, being asked by Mr. Orme of what profession his father was? Davidson replied, that he was a saddler. And pray, said he, why did he not make you a saddler? I was always whimsical, said Ďavidson, and rather chose to try my fortune as you have done, in the East-India Company's service. But pray, sir, continued he, what answered the historian, rather sharply, was profession was your father? My father, a gentleman. And why, retorted Davidson, with great simplicity, did he not breed you up a gentleman ?

ANECDOTE.

Doctor Garth, who was a great frequenter of the Wits' Coffee-House (the CocoaTree, in St. James-street,) sitting there one morning conversing with two persons at rank, when Rowe, the poet, (who was seldom very attentive to his dress and appearance, but still insufferably vain of being noticed by persons of consequence,) entered, and placing himself in a box nearly opposite to that in which the docter sat, looked constantly round with a view of catching his

Report of Diseases treated at the Public Dispensary, New-York, during the month of July, 1818.

-ACUTE DISEASES.

FEBRIS Intermittens, (Intermittent Fever,) 5; Febris Remittens, (Remittent Fever,) 6; Febris Continua, (Continued Ferer,) 22; Febris Ephemera, (Ephemeral Fever,) 3; Febris Infantum Remittens, (Infantile Remittent Fever,) 14; Phlegmone, 3; Ophthalmia, (Inflammation of the Eyes,) 5; Otitis, (Inflammation of the Ear,) 2; Cynanche Tonsillaris, (Inflammation of the Tonsils,) 3; Pneumonia, (Inflammation of the Chest,) 14; Pneumonia Typhodes, (Typhoid Pneumony,) 1; Pertussis, (Hooping Cough,) 8; Hepatitis, (Inflammation of the Liver,) 1; Icterus, (Jaundice,) 3; Rheumatismus, (Rheumatism,) 4; Cholera, 18; Dysenteria, 4; Hæmorrhagia Uteri, 1; Convulsio, 1; Dentitio, 3; Erysipelas, (St. Anthony's Fire,) 3; Urticaria febrilis, 1; Vaccinia, (Kine Pock,) 9; Effects of Drinking Cold Water, 6.

CHRONIC AND LOCAL DISEASES.

Asthenia, (Debility.) 6; Vertigo, 6; Cephalalgia, (Head-Ach,) 5; Dyspepsia et Hypochondriasis, 10; Hysteria, 1; Colica et Obstipatio, 17; Colica Pictonum, 2; Paralysis, (Palsy,) 1; Palpitatio, 1; Asthma et Dyspnoea, 9; Bronchitis Chronica, 2; Phthisis Pulmonalis, (Pulmonary Consumption,)3; Rheumatismus Chronicus, 8; Pleurodyne, 3; Lumbago, 4; Nephralgia, (Pain in the Kidneys,) 1; Epistaxis, 1; Hæmorrhois, 1;

Menorrhagia, 5; Dysmenorrhoea, 1; Diarrhoa, 13; Leucorrhoea, 1; Amenorrhea, 16; Cessatio Mensium, 2; Conceptio, 4; Prolapsus Ani, 1; Plethora, 3; Hydrops, (Dropsy,) 2; Ascites, (Dropsy of the Abdomen,) 1; Vermes, 3; Tabes Mesenterica, 1; Scrophula, (King's Evil,) 1; Syphilis, 3; Urethritis Virulenta, 5; Phymosis, 1; Tumor, 1; Fungus, 1; Contusio, (Bruise,) 8; Stremma, (Sprain,) 1; Luxatio, (Dislocation,) 1; Vulnus, (Wound,) 3; Abscessus, (Abscess,) 2; Ulcus, (Ulcer,) 5; Ustio, (Burn,) 2; Strophulus, 1; Lichen, 4; Erythema, 1; Impetigo, 1; Porrigo, 3; Scabies et Prurigo, 2; Herpes, 1; Aphtha, 2; Eruptiones Variæ, 3.

July has been in general clear and dry, and accompanied almost daily by remarka ble heats, such as have not often been experienced in this place. The highest temperature of the mornings, at 7 o'clock, was 84°, lowest 64°, mean 729; highest at 2 o'clock P. M. 95°, lowest 66°, mean 82° 1-2; highest at sunset 88°, lowest 65°, mean 789. Greatest diurnal variation 18°. Mean temperature of the whole month a little more than 770-A heat the most ardent prevailed from the 8th to the 17th inclusive. There have been but four days on which the thermometer did not indicate summer temperature, and these were either overcast or rainy; twice it was at 769; three times it stood at 79°; on 21 days it ranged between 80 and 92°; and on the 12th, between 3 and

4 o'clock P. M. it attained to the height of 989, in the shade, in a northern aspect, or, according to the observations of some, to 100°. To this excessive heat on the afternoon of the 12th, there succeeded, in the evening, the most brilliant and incessant lightning in the south and south-west, accompanied at intervals by the loud roar of distant thunder, but without rain. So copious was the electric fluid, and its coruscations so unceasing, that the clouds were in a state of constant illumination. Its arrowy and zigzag lines were longer, broader, and more dazzling than the writer recollects to have ever before seen. Much lightning, with some thunder, and a moderate shower, occurred also on the evening of the 13th. We had likewise a small quantity of rain on the 3d, 4th and 7th, a shower on the 9th, a considerable rain on the 21st and 22d, and a refreshing shower on the night of the 27th. The whole quantity of water that has fallen may be estimated at a little more than 2 1-2 inches on a level.-The wind has blown twothirds of the time from the S. and S.W.:the other third was about equally divided between the N.E. and S.E., and winds from the W., N.W. and N. The barometrical range has been from 29.70 to 30.17 inches. Although this month has been rather dry, vegetation has not languished; the crops of grain are in general good, the hay harvest is fine, and the fields of maize or Indian corn have seldom, if ever, had a better appearance at this season of the year.

Nothwithstanding the general heat experienced, the public health continues favour able. No unusual or malignant disease has made its appearance; nor if we except Hooping Cough, which is still prevalent among children, is there any disease that can be said to be epidemical. The numerical increase which has taken place in the bills of mortality is to be attributed, partly to the influx of foreigners and strangers; partly to the greater Fatality among children under two years of age; and partly to sudden deaths, among the labouring class of the community, in consequence of exposure to the solar rays, and the imprudent use of cold water when the body was preternaturally heated. This month appears also to have been more than usually fatal to the consumptive; but for the origin or commencement of their complaint we must refer to a period more remote than that embraced in this report. From the stimulating and exhausting effects of a heated atmosphere, or from some other cause, an extreme high temperature appears, in this climate at least, to be scarcely less detrimental to those whose lungs are delicate and diseased, than extremes of cold. The integrity of health is best preserved in a moderate and uniform temperature, which is always productive of an amelioration and diminution of disease.

On referring to the list of morbid affections treated during this interval, it will be found

that Continued Ferer has again taken the lead of every other acute disorder. Of the cases of typhus which have occurred, many doubtless owed their origin to contagion, since they could easily be traced to exposure to the infection; and others, which could not be referred to any specific contagion, afforded ample proof of their infectious nature by communicating the disease to persons exposed to its influence. This fever has continued to preserve, in most instances, the form of Typhus Mitior; but in a few cases it has been seen assuming the more aggravated symptoms or characteristic features of Typhus Gravior.

The cases of Intermittent and Remittent Fever which were observed, have offered nothing remarkable or unusual. In most instances they showed nothing untoward in their symptoms, but readily yielded to the ordinary methods of treatment. The Infantile Remittent has been common. The symptoms and characteristic features of this fever have been described in former reports, and by the treatment which was there recommended, the disease has been brought to a favourable termination.

Disorders of the stomach and bowels under the different forms of Vomitus, Cholera, Dysenteria, and Diarrhea, have prevailed rather prematurely. These diseases seldom spread extensively, in this climate, until August or towards the beginning of the autumnal season. When severe and frequent vomiting of acrid bilious matter is connected with much intestinal relaxation and irritability, it constitutes, in combination with them, one of the most formidable diseases to which the human body is subject, and which, without the seasonable employment of efficacious remedies, to check its advancement or moderate the violence of its symptoms, often rushes with alarming rapidity through its different stages, suddenly prostrating the energies of the system, and reducing it to a state of irrecoverable exhaustion. It is not very uncommon for a severe cholera to destroy a patient in twenty-four, and sometimes in twelve or even six hours, particularly in hot, sultry climates.

The cases of Amenorrhoea have been unusually numerous, and, in a few instances, extremely obstinate.

The present season has afforded many instances of the pernicious effects of free and sudden draughts of Cold Water when the body is much heated, as well as fatigued by labour and exercise. It would be tedious to enumerate all the evil consequences immediate and remote, which flow from this cause. In very hot summers, when the thermometer rises above 85°, it destroys many in the very streets, who sink down at once into a state of irrecoverable ruin, and the more certainly if with the morbid effects of the pernicious draught there be combined the violence of spirituons liquors,

and that of the sun. The danger to be apprehended is generally in proportion to the preternaturally heated and excited state of the body, the degree of coldness in the water, and the quantity that is suddenly taken. When these circumstances concur in a high degree, the patient within a few moments after swallowing the water is affected by a dimness of sight; he staggers in attempt ing to walk, and unless supported, falls to the ground; he breathes with difficulty; a ratling is heard in his throat; his nostrils and cheeks expand and contract in every act of respiration; his face appears suffused with blood, and of a livid colour; his extremities become cold, and his pulse imperceptible; and, unless relief be speedily obtained, the disease terminates in death in four or five minutes." (Rush.) This description includes only the less common, but more violent and rapidly tragical effects produced by a large and sudden draught of cold water, when the body is greatly heated. In ordinary cases the patient is seized with acute spasms in the stomach and chest, attended with great oppression and inexpressible anguish. The spasms are seldom permanent, but occur only at intervals, and sometimes with pains so excruciating as to be productive of syncope, or even asphyxia. In the intervals between the spasms, he is much relieved, and to appearance is sometimes quite well.

Liquid laudanum has been considered the only certain remedy for this disease. This given, as in other cases of spasm, in doses proportioned to the violence of the symptoms; spirituous fomentations to the chest, abdomen and extremities, or the warm bath, if it can be readily obtained; clysters of spirits and water, or warm milk and water; and rubbing the body with spirits of ammonia, or other stimulating embrocations, constitute the means commonly resorted to in the treatment of this complaint. Where the vital powers appear to be suddenly suspended, the same remedies are directed to be used which have been found so successful in cases of persons apparently dead from drowning.

For the purpose of allaying excitement and irregular action, as well as to prevent local congestions, or to guard against their effects where they have already taken place, it is frequently necessary, in addition to the above remedies, to employ the lancet, and sometimes very freely, particularly in robust and plethoric habits. The head is very apt to be affected in this complaint, and in consequence of a determination of blood to that part, the brain becomes oppressed, and there is reason to believe that a mortal apoplexy has not unfrequently been the

result. After bleeding, the Semicupium, or half bath of warm water, has sometimes been attended with immediate relief. Stimulating cataplasms of mustard applied to the region of the stomach are also highly beneficial. On account of the febrile excitement that generally takes place very soon in this disease, we cannot approve of the promiscuous administration of ardent spirits and other heating remedies, except, perhaps, where they are given at the very commencement. Occasional draughts of warm water, to which a little whey may be added, would in general be found more useful, together with clysters of the same, or of warm milk and water.

Quinsies, peripneumonies, obstructions and inflammations of the liver, and other parts of the abdomen, are some of the more remote and less immediately dangerous consequences which flow from the free use of cold water, when the body is much heated by exercise, labour, or exposure to the sun.

In the general bill of mortality for the month of July, 330 deaths are recorded: from

Abscess, 1; Apoplexy, 5; Cancer, 3; Casualty, 5; Child-bed, 1; Cholera Morbus, 12; Consumption, 58; Convulsions, 29; Contusion, 1; Cramp in the Stomach, 1; Diarrhoea, 13; Drinking Cold Water, 9; Dropsy, 3; Dropsy in the Head, 10; Dropsy in the Chest, 1; Drowned, 9; Dysentery, 8; Epilepsy, 1; Fever, 1; Fever, bilious, 1: Fever, Hectic, 1; Fever, Inflammatory, 3; Fever, Typhous, 41; Gravel, 1; Hæmoptysis, 1; Hæmorrhage, 1; Hives, 2; Hooping Cough, 14; Inflammation of the Brain, 3; Inflammation of the Chest, 5; Inflammation of the Stomach, 1; Inflammation of the Liver, 7; Inflamation of the Bowels, 3; Insanity, 1; Intemperance, 3; Jaundice, 2; Killed or Murdered, 2; Locked Jaw, 1; Marasmus, 2; Measels, 1; Mortification, 3; Old Age, 14; Palsy, 3; Pneumonia Typhodes, 2; Scrophula, 3; Sore-Throat, 1; Spasms, 1; Sprue, 1; Still-born, 3; Sudden Death, 3; Suicide, 1; Syphilis, 4; Tabes Mesenterica, 7; Teething, 7; Unknown, 4; Worms, 4.-Total 330.

Of this number there died 69 of and under the age of 1 year; 31 between 1 and 2 years; 16 between 2 and 5; 11 between 5 and 10; 11 between 10 and 20; 37 between 20 and 30; 47 between 30 and 40; 48 between 40 and 50; 25 between 50 and 60; 13 between 60 and 70; 14 between 70 and 80; 7 between 80 and 90; and 1 between 90 and 100 years.

JACOB DYCKMAN, M.D
New-York, July 31st, 1818.

"THE

HE chief glory of a nation," says Johnson," is its authors," and though to vulgar minds the profession of that illustrious writer may seem to deduct something from the value of his axiom, we cannot persuade ourselves that a position coming from the author of the Rambler-one who occupied so eminent a station among the literali of his own times-will be encountered by the opposition of any whose opinion ought to be an object of consideration. It is a laudable pride which induces men of every liberal profession-the lawyer, the architect, the physician, the artist, &c. to panegyrize the particular science or art to the study and practice of which they have devoted themselves; it is a consequence naturally resulting from that exclusiveness of attention they have bestowed upon it, and which has not only rendered it more especially valuable in their eyes from the difficulties and impediments they have struggled with and overcome in its attainment, but has likewise informed them with a larger knowledge and acuter perception of the benefits to mankind generally of which it is susceptible of being made the channel or instrument. The lawyer may be listened to with candour and indulgence while he descants on the splendour and indispensible utility of a science adorned by some of the greatest names on record and we scarcely feel disposed to smile VOL. III.-No. VI. 51

1818.

at the professional enthusiasm that views the glory encircling the memory of an Ulpian, a Hale, or a Hardwicke, as surpassing that of individuals, equally distinguished, it may be, but moving in departments altogether different:-to the architectural professor, whose whole life is dedicated to the study of a science to which the most illustrious nations of antiquity stand indebted for so large and brilliant a portion of their fame, and which holds out to all polished states some of the surest means of perpetuating their present greatness and renown-to the architect it may be rationally permitted to consider his peculiar sphere of action as the one most intimately allied with the symbols of intellectual and national grandeur:-in such men as Hippocrates, Harvey, Sydenham, Cruikshank, and Rush, the physician contemplates individuals whose illustrious and laborious talents have won from nature the knowledge of her profoundest secrets-the utility of the medical art is daily, hourly, almost momentarily, made apparent to him-and it surely will not be thought marvellous should he assign the highest rank to a profession illustrated by characters so eminent, a profession of whose importance he is a constant and experienced spectator:-and the artist,-a term we could wish to see consecrated to the professors of painting and statuary, to distinguish them from the engravers of