the abdominal cavity. Again we do not find the fluctuation present in uterine fibroids that almost invariable forms a prominent diagnostic sign in ovarian disease. (I except from this statement those very uncommon cases of fibro-cystic disease of the uterus that I have already spoken of.) The gradual development and increase of the ovarian tumour in one or other inguinal region too is absent in fibrous tumours of the womb, and until an ovarian tumour has attained considerable dimensions the os and cervix are not altered in size or shape, this remark you will at once perceive does not hold good when a growth is in the uterus, and the increase in the length of the cavity of the womb, which, in interstitial and submucous growths, is so readily made apparent by the sound, is absent in ovarian tumour, at any rate until the latter disease is of such a size that it could not possibly be mistaken for a fibroid. The careful examination of a few of these cases will enable you also to recognize the undeviating relation that exist between the uterus and the fibroid and this is absent in ovarian disease, for in the latter the tumour is, generally, easily to be isolated from the womb. Another point too will help you, ovarian disease is much more rapidly developed than these hard uterine tumours of which I am speaking. These ovarian cases are at times, however, very puzzling; and I advise you, whenever a reasonable doubt exists in your minds as to the nature of a given case, to suspend your judgment; think on the conditions present; renew your examination until calm, and it may be prolonged deliberation have enabled you to solve the problem. I have in this lecture already touched upon the diagnosis of fibrous tumours and pregnancy, so that but few words are needed upon this head. Remember that a pregnant uterus, when manipulated with the hand, contracts, and the outline of the uterus, upon visual examination, becomes distinct. To Mr. Ingleby we are originally indebted for the mention of this fact. This does not happen to the uterus in which a fibrous body is contained. In pregnancy, too, the uterus increases in size far more rapidly than happens in fibroid growths, and in the cases we have under consideration the recurrence of menstruation-the absence of mammary signs-the absence also of that universal purple hue of the vagina which is always present after the fourth or fifth month in pregnancy, all assist in negativing the idea of pregnancy. I think, gentlemen, I have now placed before you most of the practical points that it is essential for you to carry in your minds in reference to the diagnosis of these hard growths of the uterus. When we next meet I propose, after saying avery few words indeed upon the prognosis of fibroids, to go into the subject of their

treatment.

Original Communications.

manipulation of the most skilful dairymaids. At length, about two months ago, a specimen of sow's milk came into my possession: I am indebted for it to Thomas Baldwin, Esq., the Superintendent of Irish Agricultural Schools, and Director of the Glasnevin Government Model Farm, On submitting it to analysis the following results were obtained :-Specific gravity, 1,041; colour, white, without any bluish shade; flavour very rich, resembling that of the skimmings of cow's milk; reaction, very faint alkaline. 100 parts contained :

The analysis was conducted as follows ;A. A weighed portion of the milk was acidulated with a little acetic acid to prevent the formation of a skin, mixed with pulverised quartz (which had been previously boiled in hydrochloric acid, washed and ignited) and evaporated in the water bath to dryness.

B. The residue was treated with strong ether, by which the fats were dissolved. The ether was then evaporated and the residue of fats weighed. The fats were finally burned in a platinum capsule, and left no residue, proving the absence of mineral matter or casein.

C. The substance from which the fats had been removed was subjected to a nitrogen combustion, and from the amount of nitrogen obtained the proportion of casein and other nitrogenous substances present in the milk was estimated in the usual manner.

D. The proportion of lactin was found by difference, and also by the sulphate of copper method.

E. Determination of the mineral matter (ash) 5 grammes of the milk were evaporated to dryness and the residue burned in oxygen gas. The amount of solid matter obtained by desiccating a weighed quantity of milk was slightly in excess of the sum of the weights of the individual constituents. It must, however, be borne in mind that the mineral matter in the nitrogenous substances is weighed twice-first as a constituent of the casein, and, secondly, as an ingredient of the ash. Its amount, however is trifling.

A comparison of the milk of the sow with that of the cow and other animals will show how extremely rich is the former.

Composition of the milk of different animals.

1,000 parts contain

Matter.

Water. Butter.

Cheesy

Sugar. Mineral

matter.

Woman Cow Goat Ewe

Ass

Sow

864.20 31.30 844.90 56.87 832.32 51.31 904.30 55.26 899.12 28.53 818.00 60.00

48.80

47.70

6:00

35.14 36.91

6-18

69.78 39.43

7.16

BY PROFESSOR CHARLES A. CAMERON, PH.D.,M.D., Analyst to the City of Dublin.

WITH the exception of the milk of the sow, the lacteal secretions of the domesticated animals have been repeatedly analysed. Scheven appears to have been the only chemist who has published an analysis of sow's milk; but his results are so different from those of an analysis of sow's milk made by myself that I am induced to publish my analysis. In the sow's milk examined by me there was six per cent. of fat, whilst in a specimen analysed by Scheven, the proportion of that constituent was under two per cent. It is not very easy to procure a specimen of sow's milk, and perhaps this is the reason why it has not hitherto been frequently analysed. I endeavoured on several occasions to obtain a small quantity, but the sows appealed to at my instigation were obdurate-they would not yield a drop, even when subjected to the dexterous

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 100000 1000-00

The following particulars relative to the sow whose milk I have described were furnished to me by Mr. Baldwin "The sow whose milk I sent you is a pure Berkshire; she had pigged six days before the milk was withdrawn; she has a fair litter, and is an average nurse. She is receiving the sort of diet suited to her condition, namely, a mixture of small and damaged potatoes, pulped roots, and a little grains, the potatoes and roots being subjected to the action of steam. The food is not too rich, but just sufficient to keep herself and her young in a good healthy condition."

Pig's milk is extremely rich, containing, as it does, nearly 50 per cent. more nutritive matter than is found in that of the cow. It is not unlikely that in certain forms of disease where a milk diet is prescribed the use of so concentrated a liquid food might prove serviceable.

ON SOME POINTS OF INTEREST CONNECTED WITH THE EPIDEMIC OF MALARIAL FEVER OF MAURITIUS IN 1867.*

No. II.

By WILMOT H. T. POWER,

Assistant-Surgeon, 2nd Battalion, 13th Light Infantry.

Causes of relapses.-From meteorological observations taken for a year after the arrival of the regiment in England, I cannot but conclude that the cause of relapses is a fall of temperature, especially if sudden, mere dampness having no effect; in other words, damp warm weather, such as the last two winters, is unfavourable to the occurrence of relapses. And this is of practical importance in regard to the question of sanitary stations for malarialised a fine bracing air is not the best, but rather a warm equable men, for undoubtedly for the first few years what is called climate. As is well known, fatigue and exposure greatly tend to bring out the fever in men who have been exposed to malaria; and this was well shown when the regiment went to Flat Island (where there was no malaria), for they were knocked down by fever far more frequently then than when they were in Port Louis, in the very heart of the

The mild continued malarial fever was especially prevalent in November and December, 1866, prior to the outbreak of the epidemic, and it seems probable that the ordinary "febricula" of hot climates is due to a very small dose, as it were, of the poison.

The severe continued malarial fever presented the same symptoms as have been often described before.

The varieties of intermittent were also just as they occur in other countries, quotidian being by far the most frequent form, and tertian next.

The remittent fever did not prevail much amongst the men of the 13th. As to the so-called "bilious" form, I saw no cases in my regiment; and I cannot help fancying that it is a mixed disease-viz., actual malarial fever, occurring in a person who has previously been thoroughly malarialised, and especially if his previous attacks of fever have been untreated.

Malarial collapse.-The main symptoms are, sudden coma, with dilated pupils and coldness of body, in a person who has had an attack of ague, severe or mild; he is, in fact, convalescing, but not so rapidly as he ought; he complains of literally nothing but weakness. Five such cases occurred in the 13th; the first was not treated with quinine, and died; the other four recovered well, though almost pulseless, cold, and comatose when the quinine was administered. The post-mortem signs were, a huge spleen, and a profound anæmia of all other parts of the body; veins and arteries empty of blood; no congestion anywhere; a small yellow clot in right side of heart. I have been unable to consult many authorities on this subject, and have not seen any account of this form of disease. The absence of fever, with the suddenness of the coma, render it extremely dangerous. In two of my cases the orderlies supposed the men to be asleep.

Period of incubation.-Thirty-six men escaped the fever, and of these two had the first attacks of ague in England, six months after leaving Mauritius.

Read before the Army Medico-Chirurgical Society of Portsmouth, March 3, 1869.

day, and had scarcely any duty and were well fed, whereas in Flat Island all these conditions were reversed.

Thus, then, the cause of a relapse or of the actual fever in a malarialised person would seem to be any agent or agents which produces a depressing effect on the system.

66

Treatment.-Quinine, in doses of twelve to thirty or forty grains; no emetics, no purgatives, no clearing out the primæ viæ" was found necessary. Arsenic, quinoidine, &c., were tried, but were found to be uncertain in action.

Occurrence of dysentery.-No such disease as malarious dysentery occurred-in fact, though a very dangerous and fatal dysentery attacked the regiment at Flat Island (where there was no malaria), those men who were left behind in Mauritius, in the fever districts, did not at all suffer from it. Ipecacuhana was of no use in this form of dysentery, but the tinct. ferri perchlor., in doses of from 200 to 600 minims per day, acted like a charm.

Literature.

HOSPITAL PHARMACOPŒIAS.*

MR. SQUIRE, whose labours in this direction have so often obtained the commendation of all concerned, is not satisfied with the success he has obtained with his work on the British Pharmacopoeia, and has now reduced to order, and gives us in one neat handy volume the pharmacopoeias of seventeen of the Metropolitan hospitals. The forms thus collected are managed in groups for easy reference and comparison, and will be useful to not a few of our brethren. Here they will find the approved prescriptions of our metropolis, as adopted for hospital use, where elegance has sometimes to give way to economy. We should think Poor-law and Dispensary medical men would find the work particularly useful. The book is "got up Mr. Squire's former and more important work. in a manner to make it a worthy supplement of

giving both light and heat, and being capable of boiling or keeping warm water, &c., it is also very inexpensive.

The SECRETARY then read a paper by Dr. Elliott, of Hull,

ON THE EFFECTS OF TOBACCO AND NICOTINE ON THE GOAT.

In experiments he had made he found that an ounce of shag tobacco eaten from his hand by a goat had no effect at all, he then injected beneath the skin of the neck ten minims of nicotine, violent symptoms were produced in thirty seconds, loss of power in limbs, hurried respiration, muscular tremor, pulse rose from 80 and 90 to 160, death momentarily expected, but in twenty hours after the operation the goat was quite well again. Dr. Elliott considered that the complete loss of power when sensation was unaffected and the heart's action strong, has a practical bearing favouring the opinion of Professor Haughton that nicotine is the best agent we possess for the treatment of tetanus and poisoning by strychnia.

A discussion then took place in which the President, Dr. RICHARDSON, Mr. MILLER, and Dr. LEARED joined.

An interesting paper by Dr. Lowe of Lynn, on a case of ENCEPHALOID DISEASE OF RIGHT KIDNEY,

was then read, in the discussion of which Dr. HARE, Dr. THOROWGOOD, and Dr. RICHARDSON took part, regret being expressed that time did not allow of its being more fully entered

upon.

The thanks of the society were unanimously accorded to Dr. LowE, and Dr. ELLIOTT, for their valuable papers, and to Messrs. JONES and CEELY, for the lamp communication.

Summary of Science.

[The Editor of this Summary wishes it to be understood that he is not responsible for the ideas, theories, or the correctness of statements made in any of the papers quoted in the compilation.]

(Specially Edited and Compiled for the Medical Press and Circular.) By C. R. C. TICHBORNE, F.C.S., M.R.I.A., ETC.

TWO NEW ELEMENTS.

SOME time since, Mr. Church observed some curious absorption bands produced on viewing zircons from Ceylon. Mr. H. Sorby attributes the bands to the presence of a peculiar earth, which he names jargonia. In a letter addressed to the editor of the Chemical News, dated April 13th, he states that he has discovered spectrum evidence to prove that independently of jargonia, zircons from different localities contain two distinct earths, occurring in variable proportions, so that some appear to contain little or none of one and others to be chiefly composed of it. However, until we know a little more of the chemistry of these two supposed elements from the investigations of Messrs. Sorby and Church, it would be premature to consider their existence definitely proved.

66 CATHARISM."

6

UNDER this name Mr. Charles Tomlinson describes pheno. mena which he has been investigating for some years. The term is used in this sense by the author: a surface is said to be catharised when it is chemically clean, which differs from what we understand by clean. The very substances which would ordinarily be used for cleaning a surface would indeed de-catharise the surface. "The term 'molecular change,' says the author, "is, according to my views, a vague one in physico-chemistry; the term catharised condition' has, at least, the merit of clearness. The Greek word signifies pure, or clean, but is very different from what is ordinarily understood in the application of 'clean.' It is a well-known fact that bodies in the ordinary state separate as nuclei, gases, salts, or vapours from solution. Thus, if a wire, rod, or other solid substance is placed into an effervescent fluid, it is immediately covered with gas upon its surface, &c." Liebig, Oested, and Schönbein, and Gay Lussac, had investigated the phenomena connected with this subject, but their explanations do not seem satisfactory. Mr. Tomlinson says that bodies that are exposed to the air and to the products of respiration and of ordinary combustion, that are handled or wiped with a cloth, contract more or less a greasy film, which lessens the attraction between the liquid portion of a solution and such surfaces, whilst the attraction between the gasof such solution remains the same. The dust of a room is more or less contaminated with greasy or organic matter, and acts as a nucleus. If such dust be collected on a filter, and washed with a solu

tion of caustic potash, rinsed with water, and dried out of contact with air, it ceases to act as a nucleus. A nucleus, then, may be defined as a body that has a stronger adhesion for the gas, or the salts, or the vapour of a solution than for the liquid which holds it in solution. Mr. Tomlinson is of opinio that the phenomena of supersaturated solutions are explain in this manner. That a salt of greater solubility is not form and that the state of supersaturation, so far from being one appearance only, is one of fact, not appearance. The action of nuclei explains the sudden bursts of vapour occasioning the jumping or rebounding of ebullition. If the vessel be chemically clean, or has boiled itself clean, the "soubresant" commences. If, instead of an unclean body, we introduce a catharised body into a vessel in which a liquid is boiling with little or no bumping, we may at once bring about such violent bumping as to endanger the safety of the vessel. A little sand steeped in sulphuric acid, and well rinsed with water, or in a weak alkali, is sufficient for this purpose in a flask in which distilled water is boiling. It is said that pointed or rough bodies are better promoters of vaporisation than smooth ones. Make them all alike, chemically clean, and they act alike in impeding rather than promoting the liberation of vapour. It is true that rough bodies are apt to store up between their furrows or teeth that unclean matter which acts so well as a nucleus.

The most remarkable property about charcoal is its untiring activity. No amount of heating or washing in acids or alkalies suffices to catharise it. These processes seem to improve its strong attraction for gas, or vapour in solution. When once in action, it will continue for days and weeks together to give off vapour from the boiling liquid, so that the charcoal does not require to be renewed. A practical hint may be taken from this observation of Mr. Tomlinson.

VALERIANIC ACID AN ANTIDOTE FOR STRYCHNINE.

DR. PALMER of America (American Journal of Pharmacy) says, that having occasion to poison four cats, he gave strychnine to two of them on beef. Both died. To the other two he gave it on small tufts of valerian, and without producing the slightest effect. (We think this requires verification.— ED. S.)

FLUORINE IN THE BRAIN.

PROF. HORSFORD (Yale College) states that fluorine is an undoubted constituent of the brain. The reagents, &c., used in determining this point were carefully examined for that element before the experiments. He was induced to investigate this subject from the circumstance that fluorine is so frequently associated with phosphorus.

DETECTION OF SULPHUR AND PHOSPHORUS IN ORGANIC

SUBSTANCES.

THE first is accomplished by Dr. -Schönn, by heating the substance with potassium or sodium. Hair, feathers, dry skin, and nails, may be at once submitted to ignition with the metal. White of egg emulsion, saliva, and muscle, should first be calcined on a piece of platinum, and the animal charcoal so obtained be ignited with the sodium or potassium. Sulphide of sodium is formed. The test tube, after the igni tion, is broken, and its contents are placed in a small quantity of water, rendered acid by a few drops of sulphuric acid. Sulphuretted hydrogen is evolved. If the quantity of sulphur is very small, nitro-prusside of sodium should be used as a

test.

The phosphorus is detected by igniting the organic matter previously charred, with magnesium wire, or pulverised magne sium. Phosphide of magnesium is formed, and the fused mass on cooling disengages phosphuretted hydrogen gas on moistening with water.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE OF THE HUMAN BODY.

THIS subject has been re-investigated, and, according to a communication by Dr. Sydney Ringer, to the Royal Society, it would appear that the average maximum temperature of the day in persons under 25 years of age is 97.7 Fahr.; of those over 40, 98.8 Fahr. There occurs a diurnal variation of the temperature, the highest point of which is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. At about the last-named hour the temperature slowly and continuously falls until between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. The maximum depression is reached at about 3 a.m. It again rises, and reaches very nearly its highest point by 9 a.m. In persons under 25 the variation amounts to 2.2 Fahr.; in persons between 40 and 50, 85 of a degree. The variations are independent of the food we eat. By hot water, or vapour bath, the heat of the body could be raised very considerably. The temperature under the tongue noted was

between 1039 and 104°, a fever temperature. Cold baths lower the surface, but the heat so soon returns that it proves that the cold bath is very little use as a refrigerator.

SUBSTITUTION OF SODIUM FOR PHOSPHORUS IN MATCHES.

contagion emanating from such diseases as erysipelas, &c., the fact, if admitted, of it being capable of self-generation added nothing to the weight of the argument for a modification of our hospital system. He pointed out the fact proved in the case of the Vienna Lying-in Hospital, that the hands of students engaged in dissections were frequently the cause of the disease, the mortality in that hospital having fallen from 11 per cent. to 1 on precautions being adopted for thoroughly cleansing and disinfecting the pupils' hands. Dr. Atthill denied altogether the correctness of the proposition "that the

portions he uses are :

Sodium

Nitrate of potassium

4.65 per cent. 61.39. 33.96 29

Sulphide of antimony Caoutchouc dissolved in petroleum is used for the adhesive paste instead of gum. This plan of making matches has been favourably taken up by some of the German manufacturers.

DECOMPOSITION OF CARBONIC ACID BY GREEN LEAVES.

M. BOUSSINGAULT has, in experimenting upon this subject, made use of a method which is at once elegant and instructive. He introduces a stick of phosphorus into a mixture of carbonic acid and hydrogen, or a mixture of carbonic acid and nitrogen. No white fumes are produced in this case from the slow combustion of the phosphorus; but if a small green leaf is introduced, white fumes immediately appear from the products of oxygen, resulting from the decomposition of the carbonic acid. This action stops immediately that the leaves are taken out of the light.

THE MORTALITY IN LYING-IN HOSPITALS.

THE meeting of the Dublin Obstetrical Society, adjourned for the purpose of discussing Dr. Evory Kennedy's interesting communication on this subject, took place last Saturday evening, and was attended not only by the great majority of the obstetric physicians of Dublin, but by a large proportion of the profession generally. Before the debate was opened,

Dr. Evory Kennedy said that he desired to be permitted to correct a statement which he had made at the previous meet

ing. He had found that the mortality in the Vienna Hospital, which in 1838 had been fearfully high, had, according to Professor Faye, greatly diminished since then, and had recently been as low as one per cent. This result Professor Faye had attributed to careful sanitary precautions in respect of the cleanliness of the students in attendance, but Dr. Kennedy did not desire to be understood as adopting this view, but as simply recording the statement.

Dr. George Johnston, Master of the Rotundo Hospital, said that his experience by no means justified the assertion made by Dr. Kennedy, that metria was endemic in lying-in hospitals, or even that when it was epidemic it made its first appearance in these institutions. He considered that common sense would afford a denial to such a statement, for it was incredible that the favourable sanitary conditions of an institution which afforded a cubic space of 1,800 feet to each patient should not afford a safeguard against zymotic disease, as compared with filthy and miasmatous condition of the dwellings of the poor. The circumstances of distress of mind under which many of the patients were admitted were eminently favourable to the production of metria, which should not be, therefore, charged against the institution. The high reputation which the Rotundo Hospital enjoyed would itself cause an apparent increase in the mortality, for it attracted to it all the most dangerous cases, which were afterwards unjustly debited against the hospital administration.

Dr. Atthill, while agreeing with Dr. Kennedy that metria was, under certain circumstances, contagious, sometimes epidemic, and to a great degree preventible, doubted the correctness of the proposition "that any parturient female may generate and absorb herself a poison capable of producing metria." He, more over, considered it of little importance, for as it is admitted on all sides that it frequently, indeed generally, is the result of the

direct proportion to the number of females cohabiting together during their puerperal state ;" and to prove its fallacy showed, from the statistics quoted by Dr. Kennedy, that on the eighteen occasions on which over 2,500 patients had been delivered in the Dublin Lying-in Hospital within one year, the mortality had been low, and that even on taking a period of five consecutive years, during which 12,691 women were delivered, the mortality was but 1 in 168-a low mortality, considering the large number of bad cases admitted into it from all parts of the city and country, while now that the number delivered annually was not half as numerous as formerly, the death-rate was much higher. These facts he deemed conclusive, as proving that the development and absorption of the contagion of metria bore no relation whatever to the number of females "collected together during their parturient period." Dr. Atthill concluded by pointing out that the very age in which we lived altered the circumstances of lying-in hospitals, because seek the shelter of an hospital no longer existed, and thus the the necessity which formerly drove ordinary natural cases to class of cases presenting themselves for admission were incomparably more grave than they were some years since.

Dr. Thomas More Madden said that he thought that Dr. Kennedy's estimate of the mortality from puerperal fever would be found to be inaccurate. The proportion had been set down by him for a long period at 1 in 314, but Dr. Madden thought the figures would not show this result. Within the last year 1,131 cases were admitted. If Dr. Kennedy's calculation were correct, 37 of these should have died of puerperal fever, but, in point of fact, only 16 so died.

Dr. Kennedy explained that his statement had referred to the general mortality, and not to that from metria alone.

Dr. Kidd laid before the Society the statistics of fifteen years' practice in the Coombe Hospital. 6,573 patients had been delivered at their full term. The total mortality was 1 in 77, of which 1 in 119 was due to puerperal fever, and 1 in 219 to other causes; 15 cases had been removed, of the result of which nothing was known; but even assuming them all to have died, the mortality would have been only 1 in 65. Dr. Kidd thought that contagion could not be said to be the greatest cause of puerperal fever, for its variations were so great as to put the uniform operation of any such cause out of the question. The disease varied in its symptoms as much as it did in its frequency, and Dr. Kidd was of opinion that the outbreaks of it were in a much greater degree due to atmospheric peculiarities than to contagion. He was, however, of opinion that the baneful effect of an hospital atmosphere could not be denied. Dr. Kennedy's plan of isolation was not new. It had been tried already in St. Petersburg, and the result was that, while the mortality for the seven years preceding isolation was 1 in 32, that for the seven succeeding years was 1 in 34.

Dr. Mapother concurred with Dr. Kennedy in the deductions from his comparison of town and country hospitals.

Dr. Churchill, President of the College of Physicians, considered that Dr. Kennedy had erred in attaching too great importance to contagion and too little to the epidemic character of the disease. He said his experience by no means bore out the statement that the mortality was altogether in

significant in small hospitals. Dr. Churchill then produced three tables of mortality in various hospitals, and he deduced from them the conclusion that the discrepancy between small and large hospitals was not at all so remarkable as was supposed by Dr. Kennedy.

Dr. John Morgan quoted a fact which appeared to challenge the theories both of contagion and of miasmatous poisoning. In the Lock Hospital there was a small ward containing two beds. In it 74 women had been delivered in five years, under obviously unfavourable conditions of mind and body, and yet only one case of metria had occurred.

After some observations from Dr. Hewitt, and a short reply from Dr. Kennedy, the debate was again adjourned till the next meeting of the Society.

Correspondence.

DUSTBINS AND DISEASE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MEDICAL PRESS AND CIRCULAR.

SIR,-Under this heading I have repeatedly called attention, through the columns of this and other medical journals, to the injurious practice of allowing decaying animal and vegetable matter to be thrown into dustbins; such receptacles should be used exclusively for the purpose for which they are intended-viz., for the cinder ashes, which would cause no injury or annoyance if left for any length of time. I am glad to see that you call attention in to-day's MEDICAL PRESS AND CIRCULAR, to the action which has been taken in the matter by Dr. Hearne of Southampton; an example which ought to be followed in other towns; for the complaint is a general one, take Brighton as another instance: the "Ash-heap nuisance" has been a standing subject on the agenda for the consideration of the Town Council, many months, I may say years, and of course the "heap" has been growing and the "nuisance" spreading all the time. Now it is the simplest thing possible to avoid such accumulations; the authorities and householders are alike pusillanimous on the subject; in the first place, it is "bad economy," in every sense of the term, to allow any household refuse to be thrown on the dust-heap, and it could be avoided by means of a very inexpensive contrivance; I suggested the plan in the Builder some months ago, it is to have a grating fixed in the form of a lid to the top of the dustbin, this can be temporarily secured by a padlock which is removed for the purpose of emptying the "bin" when necessary; the grating effectually prevents anything but the cinder-ash being deposited in the receptacle.

Then with regard to the contractors for the removal of the dust, they might, if so inclined, enforce a rule which is to be found in most bye-laws relating to the subject; to the effect that the collectors are prohibited from removing any refuse with the ashes; and it is also contrary to the regulations for them to receive fee or gratuity of any kind for the removal of extraneous matter, not coming under the description of dust collection. Considering how potent for mischief the effluvia from these "poison nests prove in the spread of fever, diarrhoea, and other disorders during the summer months, it is quite time that the subject should be vigorously dealt with, and the Royal Sanitary Commission could not better inaugurate its work than by commencing a raid against dust-heaps, and such

like nuisances. May 6, 1869.

I am Sir,

Yours Obediently,

SANITAS.

NITROUS OXIDE IN DENTAL SURGERY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MEDICAL PRESS AND CIRCULAR.

SIR, Mr. Dennant in his letter on the Nitrous Oxide states, "that he infers my cases will improve as I advance in investigation," they have not improved. One gentleman lately was very violent, jumping up and striking at every person in the room; on recovering he insisted upon having the tooth extracted without the gas. Another case I can vouch for, a maid servant was so ill from the effects of the gas as to be obliged to relinquish her situation, and has been greatly incon

venienced in consequence. I believe Mr. Dennant will bear me out in asserting that in two cases the cachinations of the patients interfered with the operation.

I admit I am one of the "greatest objectors "-I have seen the gas administered very carelessly on some occasions. I also have seen the gas carefully and successfully given by Mr. Dennant, but from all I have witnessed I can only come to the conclusion that your opinion (which by-the-bye remains unanswered), "that the use of the Nitrous Oxide in private practice is indeed a false possession."

I have formerly had great experience with the laughinggas, having administered it to thousands after a series of lectures; and I am anxious to have your opinion and explanation how it is, that on such occasions, there was no cyanosed ap pearance, no approximation to smothering or danger. İn almost all the cases the inhalation resulted in dancing, immoderate laughing, acting, fighting, &c., &c. I remember one man who came on every occasion of the lecture, and inhaled the gas two or three times during the same evening, constantly opened the ball with a very excellent performed sailor's hornpipe. The exhibition I refer to was after lectures, at the Adelphi during the whole of the Lent season. On other occasions there was no surgeon present, I being at that time only a pupil attending hospital lectures, &c., &c. I apologise for this long epistle. I have an interesting case of great mischief resulting from vitiated saliva, if you think it will interest your readers I will, with pleasure, forward it. Brighton. Yours truly,

W. S. WHATFORD, M.R.C.S.

CRIES OF A FETUS IN UTERO.

THE Scalpel states that Dr. Dubreuilh, of Bordeaux, had under his care a girl of sixteen, who, towards the end of gestation, was seized with eclampsia. Chloroform was used, and a very small male child was extracted. The breach of a second child now presented, and, just as the water broke, the persons present heard the cries of the child, as if they issued out of a box, and they continued until the delivery was ef fected by the feet. The cries were heard at the moment the accoucheur pushed up the breech to seize the feet. Air had probably then penetrated into the uterus, which was not quite filled by the second fœtus, and the latter, having inspired it, began to cry.

POULTICES.

The Journal des Connaissance Médicales publishes an article by Dr. Hébert, on a subject which may not be uninteresting to families-viz., cataplasms, those especially which have mustard for their base. The seeds of the black kind, which, in a pulverised state, are used for poultices, owe their properties to a liquid, acrid, and volatile substance, being nothing but essence of mustard. This, however, does not exist ready formed in the seed; it is generated by a kind of fermentation, caused by the action of an albumenoid body, called myrosine, which plays the part of leaven, on a peculiarly fermentescible compound, mysonate of potash, This transformation, which has been called sinapisic, can only take place by the intervention of water at a temperature higher than freezing-point, and lower than 75 deg. Centigr., those being the usual conditions requisite for producing fermentation. This is a circumstance which is not commonly taken into account in practice. The generation of the essence of mustard diminishes under a temperature ranging between 50 and 75 deg. Cent., and entirely ceases at the latter. Hence, boiling water, or even such that cannot be borne by the hand, will spoil both the poultice and the sinapised footbath. Again, alcohol, acids, metallic salts, and any other agents, having the power of stopping fermentation, or retarding it, are detrimental. Besides the two principles already mentioned, through whose joint action the essential oil of mustard is produced, the seeds of this plant contains various others, among which there is a fixed and inactive oil, having some of the properties of that of rape-seed, and which may easily be extracted from mustard powder, either by strong pressure, or, better still, by acting upon it by lixivation in a sulphuret of carbon. When this oil is extracted, what remains is much more powerful, and will, moreover, keep indefinitely. Many years ago, M. Robinet attempted to bring this mustard-flour, deprived of its fixed oil, into general use; but prejudice and routine proved too strong for him; and it was not until this powder was gummed to paper, then cut into squares, and sold in elegant tin boxes, that it came into fashion. But what every family should keep in mind is this, that mustard poultices ought not to be made with hot, but with lukewarm water.