practice to all other preparations which contain the bydro-cyanic acid; for, unlike the distilled water of the plant, and pure prussic acid, it contains the same proportion of the acid, and is of the same power whether recently prepared or old, when made in one place or another, after exposure to the air, to light, or to heat. We think also that the oil of olives, or of almonds, is the most proper vehicle, in the proportion of an ounce to twelve drops of the essence; or in a smaller dose when employed by friction externally."-(Journal of Science.) 6. New Kind of Truss. A TRUSS of a very ingenious construction has lately been submitted to our inspection, backed by a strong recommendation from a medical friend, who has proved its efficacy in his own particular case: it is the invention of a person of the name of Coles, residing at London-bridge; and, although it is not very easy to convey an accurate idea of any instrument by mere words, we may perhaps be able to afford some explanation of the difference which exists between this and the common truss, by remarking that two spiral springs are introduced between the truss and the pad, which, whilst it admits of a self-adjusting movement, perWe are acquainted with mits a certain degree of yielding pressure. several cases in which these trusses are now made use of, and the principle appears to us sufficiently novel and ingenious to induce us to draw the attention of the medical profession to investigate its merits. OBITUARY. THE following particulars relative to the recent lamented death of Dr. PETT, of Clapton, we have obtained from Mr. TRAVERS, who politely drew them up at our request:— རྩྭ At eight o'clock on the morning of Saturday, the 28th of December, Dr. Pett assisted a medical friend in examining the body of a lady who died of peritoneal inflammation after child-birth, on the Thursday preceding. At nine o'clock the same evening, being in his usual health and spirits, and while engaged at cards, he complained of an uneasiness in the middle finger of his right hand. On minute examination, a slight superficial wound was discovered. It was then touched with lunar caustic, and some time afterwards with a drop of strong sulphuric acid, neither of which applications was felt. On going to rest, he again applied the lunar caustic to the wound for the space of half a minute, which application was followed by pain, soon increasing to intensity; and, an hour after he had been in bed, he was attacked by a severe rigor, which continued more or less for three hours. The pain spread from the finger along the arm to the axilla, and was so agonizing as to lead him to observe, that he had never before known what pain was. The night he described as one of dreadful suffering, without intermission. In the morning, the expression of his countenance, and the altered manner of the man, struck his medical friend with instant alarm. The finger was white, and without sensation. At twelve o'clock on Sunday, au incision was carried through the wound to the bone, which was not felt by Dr. Pett. In the course of this day, the arm became swollen, and the superficial absorbents conspicuous from inflammation. The pain affecting the arm extended to the axilla and pectoral region. The finger in a few hours became discoloured and gangrenous as far as the second joint, where suppuration of the soft parts afterwards took place. The high excitement of the nervous system, marked by a flushed countenance, a ferrety eye, vigilance, great anxiety, short and quick respiration, rapid and voluble speech, and unnaturally irritable manner, were accompanied by a very moderate acceleration of the pulse, which soon became intermittent, and then irregular. On the morning of Tuesday, the arm had recovered its natural appearance; it was neither swollen nor painful, nor were any absorbent lines visible. A considerable effusion had taken place in the cellular substance of the axilla, and over the pectoral muscle: it was marked by an erythematous blush, was painful, and crepitated on pressure as in emphysema. The symptoms varied but little; but increased ditticulty and hurry of respiration, and increased feebleness, were marked at each visit. He expressed a sense of confusion; but there was no further evidence of disturbed intellect than the deviation before adverted to from his natural characteristic calmness. The fulness at the axillary edge of the pectoral muscle being sensibly increased on the Wednesday morning, a lancet was pushed deeply into it, but only a bloody serum issued. On the Wednesday evening, about six o'clock, he died, having survived the injury about 105 hours. The body was inspected on Friday, and no recent morbid appearance whatever was discovered in the chest or abdomen. The heart was unusually large, and its substance flabby, The internal structure of the liver had undergone considerable chronic degeneration. The head was not examined. MONTHLY CATALOGUE OF MEDICAL BOOKS. It having been hinted to us that gentlemen, sending copies of their Works, prefer having their titles given at length, it is our intention, hereafter, to comply with this suggestion: but it is to be observed, that no books can be entered on this list except those sent to us for the purpose in the lists hitherto transmitted, we find that the names of works have frequently been given as published, which have not appeared for weeks, or even months after. Observatio de Affectibus Morbosis Virginis Haviniensis cui Plurimæ acus e variis Corporis partibus excisa et extractæ sunt. Auctore J. D. HERHOLDT, Medicine Doctore et Professore, protomedico Nosocomii Regii Fredericiani, Auctore Medicinæ Militaris Nautica, Equite ordinis Danebrogici, Membro plurium Societatum Doctarum.-1822. pp. 44. An Essay on the Absorbent Vessels, showing that their Action is not liable to be influenced by the artificial Agents commonly applied. By HENRY SEARLE, Surgeon.-1823. pp. 26. An Essay on the Medicinal Efficacy and Employment of the Bath Waters, illustrated by Remarks on the Physiology and Pathology of the Animal Frame, with Reference to the Treatment of Gout, Rheumatism, Palsy, and Eruptive Diseases. By EDWARD BARLOW, M.D. Graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, one of the Physicians of the Bath Hospital, and of the Bath City Infirmary and Dispensary, and Physician of the Charitable Society for the Relief of Lying-in Women.—Bath, 1822. pp. 200. An Appendix to the Midland Flora; comprising also Corrections and Additions referring to the two former Volumes, and occasional Observations tending to elucidate the Study of the British Fungi; concluding with a general Index to the whole Work, and a general Index of Synonyms. In two Parts. By THOMAS PURTON, F.L.S. Member of the Royal College of Surgeons. Embellished with thirty coloured Engravings. Vol. III. Part I. and II.-1821. pp. 575. METEOROLOGICAL JOURNAL. By Messrs. WILLIAM HARRIS and Co. 50, Holborn, London. The quantity of rain during the month of December, 1822, was 1 inch and 40.100ths. |