ory, as the most probable, which considers this organ as a diverticulum for the blood during digestion. We know that when the stomach and intestines are distended with food, there is an increased afflux of blood to the whole villous membrane of the alimentary canal, and, therefore, an additional quantity of blood to be returned through the portal vessels. But, as these are not well calculated for forwarding this mass of fluids, it follows that the meseraic veins must become gorgedunless the splenic vein ceases to discharge the usual quantity into the vena porta. A diminution of its discharge probably effected by a distention of its minute ramifications. The French experimenters found that a dog's spleen, which usually weighs but a few ounces, weighed 24 ounces, in two hours after the application of a ligature to the vena porta. In most animals, the spleen has a rosy tint, when they are fasting-becoming of a blueish colour when chymification has begun, and acquiring a blueish black colour and turgidity when the chyme has passed the pylorus. The theory is specious, and not entirely new; but it is far from being unexceptionable.

7. The Liver. The LIVER and its secretion are next to be considered, as auxiliaries in the work of DIGESTION-and, as many of our modern doctors would sayin the work of INDIGESTION.

The BILE has been analyzed by the French candidates, and its composition was found to agree very nearly with the analysis of Thenard, (resin, picromel, and yellow colouring matter, as organic ingredients, and phosphate, muriate, and sulphate of soda-muriate of potass, phosphates of lime and magnesia, free soda, and a little iron, as saline ingredients,) together with cholesterine discovered af ter Thenard's analysis. The German physiologists, however, have discovered several other organic principles in the bile, showing it to be one of the most complex of the animal fluids. They nearly agree with Thenard and the French candidates, as to its saline ingredients; but they consider the picromel of the former as a compound of resin of bile and a crystalline principle, possessing all the properties of sugar, except that of fermenting-and containing azote, so as to resemble exactly the sugar of gelatin, as procured by

Braconnot. They still allow this compound, which has the property of rendering the resin soluble in water, to retain the name of picromel. In addition, they have discovered the existence of asparagin in the bile, and this substance appeared in the form of colourless crystals, soluble in sixteen parts of water-not soluble in alcohol--very soluble in nitric acid. This biliary asparagin has also the property of rendering the resin of bile soluble in water. Besides the above principle, they have also discovered in bile, the mucus of the gall-bladder, casein, albumen, gliadine, (that part of glutin soluble in alcohol,) a little osmazome, oleic acid, margaric acid, acetic acid, and a new, or cholic acid. They have made many other discoveries respecting the component ingredients of the bile, which we think it needless to record. Enough has been said, to show that the bile is a compound which the chemist will not easily imitate! We shall state one observation on the means of detecting bile. When nitric acid is added in small successive portions to fluids containing bile, it causes first a green, then blue, next violet, and, lastly, a red colouration, which becomes yellow on standing, or on the addition of a large excess of acid.

Use of the Bile. Our readers are well aware that Mr. Brodie made some experiments, a few years ago, from which he was led to infer that the bile was necessary for chylification, since no chyle could be found in the intestines or lacteals when the excretory duct of the liver was tied, although the ligature did not prevent the chymification in the stomach. The results of Mr. Brodie's experiments were confirmed by Mr. Mayo. Unfortunately for experimenters, the researches and operations of both the German and French physiologists have given the negative to the experiments of Brodie and Mayo, as they have found the chylifactive process go on in those animals whose biliary ducts were secured by ligature. The German candidates remarked that the animals so operated on, were first attacked with vomiting soon after the ligature was applied-then with thirst and aversion to food. On the second or third day, the eyes became yellow-stools chalky and fetid-urine yellow. Some of the animals died-some were killed. Of the latter, some had recovered from the jaun

dice-owing to a remarkable phenomenon observed also by Mr. Brodie, the re-establishment of the obstructed bile-duct. They observed that chymification went on as before; and, in the small intestines, they found nearly the same principles as in sound animals, with the exception of those derived from the bile.* The contents of the great intestines, were also nearly the same as in healthy animals, excepting the absence of the biliary principles; but these fæcal contents emitted an exceedingly fetid and unpleasant odour. The lacteals and thoracic duct contained abundance of yellowish fluid, which coagulated like ordinary chyle, the crassamentum acquiring the usual red colourin short, the only difference was, that in the animals experimented on, the chyle never found white. The reason which they assign for this is, that where the bile is obstructed, the fatty matters of the chyme are not dissolved and mixed with the rest of the fluid, thus giving it the white odour in healthy animals. This explanation seems supported by the fact that, when animals are fed on food containing no fat, the colour of the chyle is not white. The German professors, then, confine the use of the bile (as far as chymification is concerned) to the solution of fatty matter in the chyle. We do not think that they are by any means author

was

* Legallois, in reviewing this part of the German work, observes that Magendie found the chyle white in two instances after ligature of the biliary duct; but that the attendant circumstances are not sufficiently detailed The French physiologists took especial care that the animals had fasted a long time after the ligature, and that their bowels should be well cleared before the new food was introduced. Under these precautionary measures, the thoracic duct was found distended with a yellowish fluid nearly transparent, and having a saltish taste. The experimenters regarded this as genuine chyle; but Legallois remarks: "Cependant il faut avouer que son analyse chimique le rapproche singulièrement de celle de la lymphe, telle que l'a donnée M. Chevreul: il n'en differe essentiellement que par une difference de quelques centièmes dans la quantité de la fibrine." REV. MED. p. 258.

ized to draw such a conclusion. They go on, however, to other supposed uses of the bile. They attribute to it a stimulant property, by virtue of which it excites the flow of the succus intestinalis, as is pretty clearly proved by the dry state of the intestines in jaundiced subjects, and in animals whose bile-ducts have been tied. They also think it prob able that the bile stimulates the intestinal muscles into action. Thirdly, it may contribute to azotize or animalize those articles of food which do not contain azote. Fourthly, they believe that it tends to prevent the putrefaction of food during its course through the intestines. Fifthly, it tends to liquify and dissolve the fatty matters in the food. Lastly, the physiologists in question are disposed to allow that the bile is an important excretion-and that the liver is highly useful in throwing off a considerable proportion of carbon, which is not thrown off by the lungs in a state of oxidation. The authors endeavour to support this doctrine by many ingenious arguments drawn from anatomy, human and comparative, as well as from physiology and even pathology. But we need not pursue this subject any farther. Those who attentively observe the phenomena presented to their view, both in health and disease, are well aware of the important part which the condition of the bile plays in the animal economy, in both the above states.

8.

Succus Intestinalis. The German professors observed that, in animals which had fasted long, there was seen, on the inner surface of the intestines, a thin layer of firm mucus, of a faint yellow colour. They also observed that, if pebbles or pepper had been swallowed a little before death, a quantity of thinner ropy mucus, and an augmented secretion of bile had been poured out. The French physiologists, moreover, observed that when the villous coat of the duodenum was exposed and cleaned, and then touched with diluted vinegar, the membrane immediately exhaled a clear fluid, while the biliary and pancreatic ducts discharged much bile and pancreatic liquor. It is evident, however, that the exact composition of the succus intestinalis can never be correctly ascertained, as it cannot be obtained free from admixture of other secretions. Both classes of experiment

ers believe that it possesses the power of dissolving the food. There cannot be a doubt that a finish is given to the assimilation of chyme as it passes along the intestines. It was ascertained that the acidity of the chyme diminished as it descended lower in the bowels, and that it entirely disappears in the cæcum.

9. The Chyle. In respect to the CHYLE itself, there is not much to be said. The German physiologists deny that it exists at all in the intestines; while the French maintain that it may be found even in the stomach. They all agree as to the material chemical ingredients in that fluid. Dr. Marcet's analysis is substantially corroborated. The chyle is known to consist of two portions-serous and fibrinous; the latter separating, like that of the blood, by spontaneous coagulation. The firmness of the coagulum would seem to depend, in a great measure, on the quantity of fibrine. Chyle, however, scarcely coagulates before it has passed the mesenteric glands. After that, the fibrine begins to appear, and is much more abundant after the addition of the lymph from the spleen, which contains a large proportion of fibrin. The quantity is lessened in the chyle of digestion-and increased in the chyle formed after ligature of the ductus communis choledochus. It abounds in the lymph from the lower extremities.

In like manner, the chyle contains no red particles before passing the mesenteric glands; but does so immediately afterwards-and more especially after mixing with the lymph from the spleen. The chyle frequently contains fatty matter-but little or none after fasting, or if the animal is fed on matters not containing fat-most of all, when the food is very fat; when, for example, butter is mixed with it. This fatty matter does not appear to be dissolved, but exists in a state of minute division and suspension, giving the chyle its peculiar white colour. The serum of the chyle is generally alkaline. From the above and other facts, the German physiologists infer that the fibrin, the colouring particles, and the albumen of the chyle, are supplied either not at all by the intestinal lacteals, or at least, in much less quantity than by the lymph, which is formed by the blood; that the food supplies chiefly fatty matter and other principles soluble in alcohol,

especially osmazome.

These inferences are liable to some objections; but we have not time or space for going into the subject farther in this place.

In conclusion, it will be remarked that, although no brilliant discovery has been made, yet many interesting facts have been brought to light, which may ultimately bear on the practice of medicine as well as enlighten our views of the animal economy. On this account, we have endeavoured to draw up an exposé of the labours of the above-mentioned distinguished physiologists in as concise a form as we possibly could; and hope that no very material facts have been omitted, short as our analysis has necessarily been.

26. PYTHAGORAS REDIVIVUS.

Sir George Gibbes has published a short paper in the November number of the Medical and Physical Journal, the tendency of which is to revive the ancient doctrine of Pythagoras. It has long, indeed, been admitted, that no particle of matter can be annihilated. It may change its form, but still it is matter in some shape or other. Sir George considers it well ascertained, "that all the animal tissues are resolvable on decomposition into minute bodies, which, in water, and under the influence of the sun, possess life and activity." These animalcula, or ultimate points of vital activity, cannot be further decomposed, except by fire, which renders them amenable to chemical laws, and changes them into gas.

The vitality and activity of the INFUSORIA depend on the influence of the sun under which every pool of water becomes tenanted by myriads of them. The sun, then, the source of life as well as light, supplies the vitality in all the endless variety of organized and living action, " and modifies matter, in all these processes, in a manner totally different from all physical and chemical principles." In the dissecting room, our author observes, vitality is not lost, although the life of the individual is gone; "for every part of the organized structure resolves itself into new arrangements, and myriads of vital rudiments re-assert their rank in the living world."

More than 30 years ago, our author instituted a series of experiments, that appeared, then and now, conclusive, as to the essential purpose which the animalcula infusoria perform in the growth of vegetables. He examined with a microscope the green matter which forms on water, the animalcula infusoria, and the fibrilla of the roots of other vegetables, whilst growing in water. Myriads of animalcula," says he, " may be seen around the extremities of such vegetables, and it appears that these minute living bodies agglutinate themselves together, and absolutely themselves become the added part; so that the fibres seem to be nothing more than a congeries of these animalcula, forming the growing part." Again" If a basin of water be half shaded from the sun, whilst the other half is exposed to its rays, we find the shaded water to be without animalcula, whilst they swarm by myriads in the exposed portion." If a sprig of mint be placed in this water, the fibres of the roots extend and grow in the illuminated portion, but make no advance in the dark part.

The animalcula are seen to be supplied on the one side, and to fix themselves on the ends of the fibres, increasing them longitudinally. On the other side, the animalcula being absent, the roots do not grow. The increase of the several parts of vegetables seems entirely dependent on the supply which they receive of these animalcula by the roots, leaves, &c. "for the leaves and blades of corn, even when growing in a room, are terminated by drops of water, evidently supplying these monades, which arrange themselves according to the necessities of the growing vegetable, and according to the impulse originally given, and continually supplied by the seed of the plant." These views are certainly very ingexious, and by no means improbable. We

27. THE INSTRUMENT OF JUSTICE.

In the November Number of the Medical and Physical Journal, Mr. Mayo, surgeon to the Winchester Hospital, has related an interesting case of a fleshy tumour, Occupying the greater part of the temporal fossa of the right side, in a young man, on whom Mr. Bell had previously operated at the Middlesex, without success. The tumour had an elastic feel, and was now tient was anxious for an operation, and disposed to protrude the ear. The pa Mr. Mayo attempted to remove the swelling by excision; but, finding it adherent to the cranium, which felt rough, as if from absorption of the external table, he cut away as much of the diseased mass as he could see or feel, and then filled the cavity with lint, dipped in oil of turIn about a week, a fungous pentine. substance, resembling the original tumour, began to protrude, and various escharotics were employed, to check the these circumstances, a consultation was morbid growth, without effect. Under held, and it was deemed advisable, as a dernier resort, to tie the carotid artery, and, by thus cutting off a great supply of blood, to arrest the progress of the tumour. The operation was performed without accident; but the advantage was only trifling and temporary. The tumour slowly increased, and sometimes bled profusely. He became affected with fits, resembling epilepsy, and was finally worn out.

On dissection, the brain was found adherent to the dura mater, at the part and, when peeled off, (from within) the pia mater and substance of the brain appeared to have been absorbed by the pressure of the tumour, which now presented itself, passing through a portion of the temporal and parietal bones, and occupying the temporal fossa of the sphenoid bone within the cranium, still closely covered by the dura mater. The tumour weighed about two pounds, appeared to be of uniform consistence, and resembled pancreatic sarcoma. The morbid growth is preserved in the Windmill-street Museum.

And now for the INSTRUMENT of JusTICE-the LIBERAL JOURNAL! The case

is thus fairly and properly introduced. "Editor Roderick, with considerable generalship, has placed the account of this immediately previous to Mr. Earle's case, in order that the reader might be led on, step by step, from one USELESS operation to another." The whole account of the case is then given, in the minutes of dissection, without stating one single iota of any thing that happened previously to the post-mortem examination-thus judging a medical practitioner, not by the events which occurred, or the phenomena which presented themselves during the life of a patient, but solely by the appearances on dissection!! We appeal to every honest man in the profession, whether the annals of the Inquisition, or the tribunals of Turkish despotism, ever presented so diabolical a judicial proceeding as the above! Yet this is the Journal which boasts of its independence, while it proves itself, in every number, the fiend-like tool of a faction, without a single spark of judgment, justice, or liberality, in its composition. But, henceforth we shall be in a position to quickly disseminate the antidote with the poison of these scandalous delinquencies, and flagrant violations of equity and truth-by which we hope "to do the state some service."

28. SECTION OF THE PNEUMO-GASTRIC NERVES.

[M. DUPUY. Veterinary School of Alfort.]

It is now ascertained, beyond all doubt, that section of the par vagum, on both sides, destroys an animal, say the horse, in a few hours, by paralyzing the muscles about the larynx, and thus causing asphyxia. When death is thus produced, we cannot properly ascertain the real effects of the interruption of the nervous influence on the stomach, lungs, and other organs. M. Dupuy, therefore, in his experiments, opens the trachea of the horse, by which the animal is made to live from fifty to sixty hours. The gentleman in question, has laid some experiments lately before the Medical Society of Paris, in which the effects of the pneumo-gastric

section are 'shown. Thus, the nerves were divided in both sides of a horse's neck, and portions cut away. Tracheotomy was then immediately performed. The animal was carefully examined at certain periods, and also bled before and after the operation, in order to ascertain the effects of the section on the blood, as well as on various functions. Two hours after the section, there was no alteration in the functions of respiration, circulation, &c. The animal continued to eat as before. In four hours, the breathing was accelerated--the blood from the carotid was now darker in colour than beforethe animal ate and drank, but deglutition seemed performed by a convulsive action, and liquids returned by the wound in the trachea. At the end of 16 hours, the breathing was slow and deep-much mucus flowed from the wound in the trachea, and the food returned by the same aper ture the action of the heart is much weakened-arterial blood is now nearly as dark as venous. The fourth examination, at the end of 28 hours, showed no material alteration. At 40 hours from the operation, the animal had great difficulty in swallowing-the blood from an artery was quite black-the oesophagus was felt to be crammed with food--and the horse was comatose. At 52 hours, the breathing was stertorous, aud he soon died.

Dissection. There was nothing wrong in the brain. All the parts forming the aperture in the larynx were swelled and red, so that the passage was almost entirely closed. The mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea was red, and otherwise discoloured, but these were considered cadaveric phenomena. The Inngs were inflamed and hepatised-the bronchia were filled with mucosities. The

substance of the heart was much softened,

The esophagus was filled with alimentary matters, as were the pharynx and nasal cavities. The stomach was filled and distended with food almost dry, and adherent to the mucous membrane of the

and its cavities filled with black blood.

organ, which was of a red colour. There was no chyme in any of the intestines. The liver was enlarged, and there were several large black spots on the spleen.

From the above, and other experiments of a similar kind, it is evident that section of the pneumo-gastric nerves stops the sanguifactive (arterializing) process in the lungs-paralyzes the esophagus

and puts an end to the secretion of