taste is limited to the perception of acid, salt, sweet, and bitter. These simple tastes compounded with smells form "flavours." Various cases are then considered which seem in contradiction with this opinion-cases, namely, in which smell is apparently lost, and yet the perception of flavours remains. These cases are explained, and the contradiction shown to be only apparent. A second group of cases follows, in which anosmia resulted from lesion of the nerve centres. It is shown that anosmia is a frequent accompaniment of aphasia, and it is argued that the explanation of this is to be found in the proximity of the so-called external root of the olfactory nerve to the part of the brain usually affected in aphasia, a proximity which renders the two parts very liable to be involved in one common lesion. The relative importance of the external and of the other roots of the olfactory bulb is considered, and it is held that the latter have little, if anything, to do in the perception of olfactory sensations. Lastly, a case of anosmia, recorded many years ago by Dr. Hutchinson, is discussed at length. A negro began, in his twelfth year, to lose his colour, and, in course of time, became perfectly white. The loss of colour was accompanied by loss of the sense of smell, almost, if not quite, complete. This seems to have been hitherto considered a fortuitous coincidence. The author argues that such is in the highest degree improbable, and accounts for the anosmia by the destruction of the pigment of the olfactory region. Numerous arguments are used to show that this pigment plays an important part in olfaction, and that the keenness of this sense in man and mammals depends, in great part, on the intensity and extent of nasal pigmentation. Reasons are also adduced for believing that pigment is of use in the reception of auditory impressions, so that there would be a certain similarity in this respect between the three main organs of special sense-the eye, the ear, and the nose. Finally, an hypothesis is advanced as to the manner in which the pigment operates, and especially as to the manner in which it operates in olfaction. February 8, 1870. EDWARD MERYON, M.D., Vice-President, in the Chair. Present-37 Fellows and 6 visitors. Books were presented from Mr. Spencer Watson, and from the Royal Academy of Sciences of Munich and the "Société Impériale de Chirurgie" of Paris. The following gentlemen were elected Fellows of the Society: Reginald Harrison, F.R.C.S. Charles Fredk. Oldham, M.R.C.S. The following communications were read: I. The Action of Citrate and Acetate of Potash, of Spiritus Etheris Nitrosi, and of Oil of Juniper, on the Urine in Health. By FRED. BARHAM NUNNELEY, M.D., Lond., York. Communicated by J. E. ERICHsen, F.R.C.S. (Received November 8, 1869.) (Abstract.) The author had made the necessary experiments upon himself, and the method pursued was to estimate the water, urea, and solids of the urine, each day for about twenty-eight days, during the middle twelve days of which the medicine was taken, the days before and after being medicine free. Citrate of potash was taken to the extent of from 10 to 18 drachms in twenty-four hours; was found to increase the water by 24 ounces and to diminish the urea by 84 grains and the solids by 60 grains. The acetate of potash, in daily doses of from 2 to 3 drachms, exerted a similar influence in a somewhat less degree. The spiritus etheris nitrosi (10 to 18 fluid drachms in twenty-four hours) slightly increased the water, and diminished the urea by 54 grains and the solids by 122 grains. The oil of juniper (30 to 40 minims in twenty-four hours) slightly increased both the urea and the solids. II. Case in which a Gold Plate with Artificial Teeth was Swallowed, detected in the Stomach, and Removed. By LOUIS STROMEYER LITTLE, F.R.C.S., late Surgeon to the London Hospital. Communicated by T. B. CURLING, F.R.S. (Received December 9, 1869.) (Abstract.) A woman was admitted into the London Hospital, who, two days previously, during an epileptic fit, had swallowed a gold plate to which some artificial teeth were attached. This produced so much irritation that no food had since been retained, and as the foreign body could readily be felt in the stomach by means of an ivory-tipped probang, Mr. Little passed an ordinary œsophageal coin-catcher, and after several attempts succeeded in hooking the plate and drawing it up as far as the pharynx, where it lodged. Considerable difficulty was experienced in removing it from this situation, although this was ultimately effected, and the patient recovered without a bad symptom. The plate, which had sharp, projecting extremities, measured 13 inch in length by 14 inch in width, and fixed to it were three incisor teeth, one canine, and one bicuspid. The author advocates attempts at extraction in similar cases, urging that if a foreign body has passed down the œsophagus and through the cardiac orifice of the stomach, no great difficulty will be met with in its withdrawal through the same passage, provided no force be used; and he referred to some experiments by Mr. Pollock, to show that the removal from the stomach of even a small plate by the natural efforts is very improbable. III. On Morbid Changes in the Nervous System associated with Diabetes. By WILLIAM HOWSHIP DICKINSON, M.D., Assistant-Physician to St. George's Hospital. (Received January 14, 1870.) (Abstract.) Diabetes has hitherto been regarded as a functional disorder, and has been attributed to erroneous action rather than structural change. This view, however, must be looked upon as only provisional. Function is simply the expression of structure; structure and function are inseparable as cause and effect. Where, as in diabetes, function is permanently altered, it follows of necessity that there should be equally abiding changes in the mechanism of the organs concerned. In this belief, the various organs of diabetic subjects were subjected to a searching examination, and it was found that the nervous system was the seat of important alterations, an observation which gained significance from the discovery of Bernard that puncture of a certain part of the medulla oblongata rendered the urine saccharine. (The details of the examination of the organs in five diabetic subjects were laid before the Society, and the pathological changes in the brain and cord illustrated by a series of drawings representing their naked-eye and microscopic appearances.) The results obtained in the five cases were briefly these. Peculiar morbid changes were constantly found in the cerebrospinal system. In all, the alterations were of the same nature, and for the most part in the same situations. The earliest alteration recognised was a dilatation of the arteries; this was followed by a degeneration of the nervous matter at certain points external to them. An extension of the degenerative process occasioned destruction and excavation of the tissue around the vessel. Cavities were thus produced, often large enough to be striking objects, even without the microscope, which contained blood-vessels, extravasated blood, grains of pigment, and the products of nervous decay. Finally, the contents appeared to become absorbed, so that simple vacuities were left. As to their situation, the changes occurred in constant association with arteries. They were found in every part of the spinal cord and encephalon, attaining their greatest development in the medulla oblongata and pons Varolii, The excavations were frequently in connection with folds of pia mater, and were often disposed with lateral symmetry. Several spots were found to be affected uniformly in all the cases examined, namely, the olivary bodies, the vicinity of the median plane of the medulla, the grey matter of the floor of the fourth ventricle, and in particular a spot just internal to the origin of the facial nerve. This point presented a remarkable sameness in all the cases, a large excavation lying generally on both sides in connection with a process of pia mater. Another spot, which, in four of the five cases presented a considerable cavity, was found near the front of the pons in the median line, also in connection with the pia mater. The optic thalami and corpora striata were involved to a slight extent. The septum of the ventricles and the white matter of the convolutions displayed the alterations in a remarkable manner, as also did the corpus dentatum of the cerebellum. The changes especially affected the white matter, though the grey matter at the floor of the fourth ventricle and of the spinal cord are exceptions to this statement. The cells of the grey matter were generally perfect. The deterioration was not general, but was limited to the vicinity of the arteries. Such parts of the sympathetic system as were examined, namely, the upper cervical and semilunar ganglia, were apparently natural. The only constant change found in the viscera was epithelial accumulation in the liver and kidneys. |