circumstance of the phosphate, as well as the arsenite of silver, being precipitated of a yellow colour. Upon the first precipitation of these two salts, I allow, there is a great resemblance; but, if we suffer them to remain undisturbed and exposed to the light for a few hours, the difference will be very observable, the former becoming gradually of a brown colour, while the latter assumes a blackish hue. To satisfy myself still further on the subject, I made the following experiments: Exp. I.-To a solution of arsenic was added a watery solution of sulphuretted hydrogen. The liquid was immediately changed to the well-known yellow colour, and after some hours a precipitation took place. -- Exp. II. To a solution of phosphate of soda was added, as in the preceding experiment, the sulphuretted hydrogen; but no change was perceptible. Walworth; Sept. 8th. For the London Medical and Physical Journal. On Turpentine in Puerperal Peritonitis; by Mr. RICHARD EDGELL, Surgeon. BOUT three years ago my attention was strongly ex A cited by the cases published by Dr. Brenan, of Bublin, upon the use of Spirit of Turpentine in the Puerperal Peritonitis; and which were very strongly confirmed by Dr. Douglas. From those cases, it appeared to me that a very reasonable hope might have been entertained of an antidote to this very rapid and frequently-fatal disease. The doctor's medicine had certainly the appearance of a desperate remedy; and, being analogous to no other system, there appeared to be too great a responsibility attached to the practitioner who should be bold enough to adopt it ;-and a disregard to the common courtesies of the profession involved him in personal disputes with his neighbours. But, on the other hand, he was borne out by the cases, as far as they went, towards the confirmation of his doctrine. The animosity which existed between him and those professional gentlemen who had the best means of detecting any falsehood, and exposing any fallacy, is now certainly in his favour; inasmuch as no such detection nor exposure has been made. Let us, therefore, consider how the matter now stands. To say that in proportion as a disease becomes desperate the remedy is interesting, is no more than a truism. That this disease, after its first stages, becomes rapidly desperate, is evident: how is it, therefore, that this mode of treatment has not excited greater interest? When it was first exhibited, it was considered as adding fuel to fire; and an explosion was expected both of the patient and the system. But so far was it from this, that the fever was allayed, and the inflammation dissipated. This extraordinary fact is so contrary to all theoretical reasoning, à priori, that it is of itself sufficient to dispel prejudice and encourage hope. In cases of peritonitis, it very frequently happens, that in the usual mode of treatment, after every expedient has been exhausted, the inflammation terminates rapidly in gangrene.. Certainly, under these circumstances, and on the near approach to this crisis, this powerful remedy may be resorted, to, on the faith of the reported cases, by the most cautious practitioner. Under these considerations, I have adopted the use of spirit of turpentine. In your Number for May, 1816, I com-. municated a case of puerperal peritonitis,which appeared to me to be strongly in favour of the use of spirits of turpentine; and I will now beg leave to state a case within my own prac tice, which, besides its relation to the subject in question, is deserving of notice, from a singular recurrence of the disease some time after it had been dispelled. In the month of January last, I attended a lady who was attacked on the third day after delivery with peritonitis, which gave way to the following treatment, viz. two large bleedings, and a powder containing fifteen grains of calomel, followed by a draught of infusion of senna with sulphate of magnesia; and the spirit of turpentine was employed at the same time, as a liniment, over the region of the uterus. In the third week after delivery, the patient was again attacked by the same disease. The usual means of depletion by repeated bleedings, generally and locally, each time, ad deiiquium, and the free use of calomel, were resorted to without success. The patient was rapidly sinking, when it was agreed, in consultation with Mr. Lowe, to have recourse to the stimulating system. A drachm of rectified spirit of turpentine was administered every two or three hours, a large blister was applied over the abdomen, and Madeira wine and opium were freely given. From the time of this change of treatment an amendment took place, and the recovery was permanent. The spirit of turpentine, used internally in this case, certainly added to the stimulus, and as certainly did no harm. Let us now consider, what facts appear to have been established, and what desiderata remain. And first, it is clear, that spirit of turpentine, used either externally or internally, has not, as might at first have been expected, aggravated the inflammation inflammation in puerperal peritonitis, but that, on the contrary, in every case which has been reported, whether used substantively, or in combination with other stimulants, it has been attended with favourable effects. Secondly, that it has prevailed in cases of great extremity, and in which it is probable, that other stimulants would have been insufficient. Thirdly, that its operation has been almost instantaneous, which, in this rapid disease, is a most happy circumstance. As to further desiderata, first, it is most important, that it should be ascertained in what state of the disease, whether at its commencement, or at any particular period of its progress, the turpentine may be most advantageously used? Secondly, whether it should follow a general, or what, system of depletion? Thirdly, whether the internal or external application of the medicine be most adviseable, and in what cases? Fourthly, whether the external use of the spirit may not have a reference to Dr. Sutton's suggestion of infrigidation, or of the refrigerative plan of treatment? Lastly, whether the turpentine, or any other successful mode of treatment in the puerperal peritonitis, is not equally, or how far, efficacious in all other cases of inflammation of the peri toneum? Much has been done under an undefined administration of the medicine; how much, therefore, may be reasonably expected, when its properties shall have been accurately explained! I have been stimulated to these reflections and observations by the recent occurrence of several cases in this city of peritonitis, which have terminated fatally, although every thing was done which experience could suggest according to the usual mode of treatment, but without the aid of turpentine. As far as my own experience and information have gone, I think that the medicine ought to be resorted to in extreme cases. If it is to be exploded, it should be upon authorities and reasons at least equivalent to those which have been given for its adoption. Bristol; Sept. 22, 1817. For the London Medical and Physical Journal. Outlines of Zoonosological Tables; by Dr. THOMAS PARKINSON. THE plan I have adopted for the improvement of medical science consists of an entirely new Nomenclature in every department; and each department is provided with its own peculiar Nomenclature. NO, 226. Each Each department of medical science is limited to its natu ral province. 1. ANATOMY is limited to description and demonstration of the distinguishable parts and peculiarities of the animal frame. 2. PHYSIOLOGY is limited to description and demonstration of official capacities and modes of function in health. 3. NOSOLOGY is limited to description and demonstration of those states of the animal and vital actions which are between health and death, and those arrangements of organization, or function, which are the resulting consequences of primary morbid affections. 4. THERAPEUTICS is limited to the description and demonstration of indications, and agents employed for the prevention, mitigation, and removal of diseases. The technical terms of anatomy are such as express the peculiar constructions and compositions of the distinguishable parts of the body. CLASSES-EXAMPLES-SOLIDS. 1. MYELEUTHYTONA. From Muλ05, the medullary substance, and subus, straight; signifying straight fibres with brain. The characteristics of nerve. 2. HEMEUTHYTONA. From Aua, blood, and vous, straight; signifying straight fibres with blood. The characteristics of muscle. 3. HELASMATA. From Exaoua, laminated fibre. The characteristic of elastic fibre. 4. ENYPHANTA. From EvvQaww, to intertex, intertexed fibre. The characteristic of membrane. These are all the classes of solids, each of which may be considered an abstract solid. But each class has its genera accordingly as it is associated with another class, or with other substances,* or is thrown into varied forms or shapes. Hence MYELEUTHYTONA has two genera : 1. Myeleuthytona Hæmeuthytodes. An association of nerve with muscle. As perceiving organs and the brain within the head. 2. Mycleuthytona Enyphantodes. An association of nerve with its investing membrane. As the nervous cord. HEMEUTHYTONA has two genera: 1. Hæmeuthytona Stereoses. Solid muscle. Muscles in general. HELASMATA has three genera. :— 1. Helasmata Stereoses. Solid elastic fibre. Elastic ligaments. ENYPHANTA has ten genera :— 1. Enyphanta Platynodes. Simple broad membrane. Dura and pia maters, pleura, peritoneum, fascia, &c. * N.B, In genera 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Enyphanta secretas, its own associates. 2. Enyphanta .Enyphanta Siphonodes. Tubulated membrane. Vein, duct, &c. 3. Enyphanta Helasmatodes. An association of membrane with elastic fibre. The substance of the lungs, corpora, penis, &c. 4. Enyphanta Hæmeuthytodes. An association of membrane with muscle. The intestinal canal, &c. 5. Enyphanta Collodes. An association of membrane with albumen. Cartilage. 6. Enyphanta Siphocollodes. The same association tubulated. The annular cartilages of the trachea and bronchia, the cartilaginous meatus of the ear, &c. 7. Enyphanta Coniodes. An association of membrane with lime. Bone. 8. Enyphanta Siphoconiodes. The same association tubulated. Large bones of the extremities, the bony meatus of the ear. 9. Enyphanta Steatodes. An association of membrane with fat. Adipose membrane. 10. Enyphanta Siphogyrodes. Membrane tubulated and convoluted, to form a gland. The liver, FLUIDS. Fluids have two classes: 1. PERIRROTICA. From giggew, to circulate. Fluids circulating in vessels. 2. LIMNETICA. From Aun, stagnant. Fluids not circulating in vessels. The first class has four genera, but no varieties. 1. Hæma. From Apa, blood. Perfect arterious blood. 2. Hæmatodes. From Asualwons, bloody. Imperfect blood; venous blood. 3. Diaphanodes. From Aiapans, limpid, or diaphanous. Lymph. The second class has three genera, with their respective varieties: 1. Urodes. From gov. Urine. 2. Cholodes. From xoan. Bile. 3. Spermatodes. From Exεgua. Semen. 4. Ophthalmodes. From Oglaλμos. The eye. 5. Copriodes. From Korgos. Dung. The second genus has two varieties: 1. Hydalodes. From Twp. Water. The third genus has two varieties: 1. Hydalodes. From Twp. Water. 2. Blennodes. From Bevva. Mucilage. The three large cavities are denominated TELEOSES, from TEλewσis, an elaboratory or workshop. There are three TELEOSES: 1. Phreneteleosis. From gny, the mind, and rλswois, the elaboratory of the mind. The encephalon. 2. Hæmateleosis. From Atua, blood, and TEλwo15, the elaboratory of the blood. The thorax, Tropheteleosis. From rgon, nourishment, and reλwors, the ela boratory of nourishment. The abdomen. |