of course, at the same time, the tampon pressure and friction through the walls of the abdomen, and cold applications to the vulva,) and I consider it invaluable, by the power it has of maintaining the uterus in a state of contraction.

Again in case of retained placenta after abortion, when it is very difficult, or perhaps impossible, to remove it by mechanica. means. Here the ergot acts to expel the piacenta, and, prevent blood poisoning and consequent fever.

In cases of passive uterine hemorrhage, or excessive menstru ation, nothing has proved more efficacious in my hands, than equal parts of liquor ergotae and tinct. cinnamon, given in one or two drachm doses, every three, four or six hours, according to circumstances.

All these uses and many more, will suggest themselves to the intelligent practitioner. I only wished to call the attention of the profession to a simple method of preserving the virtues of the ergot in a form always convenient and alway reliable.

ART. III.-A Monstrous Birth.

BY E. MENDENHALL, M. D., Zionsville, Ind,

EDITOR LANCET AND OBSERVER: About 2 o'clock on the morn ing of October 20th, 1868, I was called upon to attend Mrs. of twenty-eight years of age, in her third confinement. I found her already in the second stage of labor. She said her time was not up by six to eight weeks. Her pains were frequent and strong. A hasty examination was made, and I found some unrecognizable substance protruding and passing through the va gina. Three pains only took place after taking my seat at the bedside, when the foetus was expelled. It gasped for breath, and two or three inspirations took place, after which it breathed no more. The cord was then severed and tied in due form, and the child wrapped up and laid out of the way. After the expulsion of the secundines, which took place naturally in about fifteen minutes, the woman was bandaged and allowed to rest.

I then proceeded to examine the child. The anterior aspect of the body and limbs of the child were of the natural shape and dimensions of one of seven months, and its color was that of a child who had breathed, or whose blood had been oxigenated. The dimensions of the face, however, were fully one-third or onehalf less in proportion, and almost round. The eyes were round, of a grey color, very prominent, wide open, and appeared as though it were staring at some one. Its nose was flat, and its lips slightly parted, with the tip of the tongue protruding. The chin appeared to start out from the chest, about three-fourths of an inch below where the top of the sternum usually is. It had no neck, and the shoulders emerged just beneath the lower portion of each ear. The ears were rather large, and like a scoop in shape, the back and tips of each being covered with hair. Altogether the anterior appearance of the face and head resembled that of a cat or horned owl.

The posterior portion of the cranium, the cervical vertebra and a portion of the upper dorsal, were absent. The appearance was that of a frightful wound inflicted by some projectile, which had carried away all that portion of the cranium lying posterior to the middle of the anterior fontanelle, and above the attachment and behind the ears, scooping out, in its passage, a portion of the cerebral substance and the vertebra as before stated, and then emerging from the center of the space betwixt the scapulæ. The surface appeared to be covered with medullary matter, diffused over with blood, and the whole enveloped with a thin pellicle or transparent covering, which had probably contained an aqueous fluid.

Such is a brief description of this defective and deformed specimen of humanity, without any pretention to any very precise anatomical accuracy.

Now, as every effect in nature, or in the material universe, is the result of some pre-existent producing cause, the query naturally arises, what caused the defect and malformation in the case under consideration? The woman was in the enjoyment of good bealth. With an anxious desire to ascertain, if possible, the occasion of this aberration from the ordinary course of nature, the inquiry was made in regard to her previous condition, state of health, occupation, etc.; and she replied, that did not cause it, but she knew what did; and that she knew something was wrong

ever since that took place. I asked what that was? Her response was, that about six weeks after she supposed herself to be pregnant, her brother shot a cat in her yard, and supposed he had missed it, as it bounded away under the house. He reloaded his gun and called to her to go to the opposite side of the house and drive the cat toward him, that he might shoot at it again. She reluctantly attempted to comply with the request, and went around the house and saw the cat lying there dead, with its bow els hanging out, and the top of the head either shot away or cov ered over with blood, and appeared to be looking wildly at her At this sight she screamed and came very near fainting, and had to be helped in the house. From that time to the present, that cat was in her mind, and she was fearful it would affect her child

Now, the question may be asked, did the sight of that eat, under the circumstances and at that particular time, have any thing to do with this malformation, or was it a mere coincidence? If it was a coincidence, what caused it? The woman was of a nervous temperament, truthful and ordinarily intelligent.

Might not the sight and consequent image impressed on the sensorium commune, of a highly sensitive and susceptible sub ject, just during the formation stage of the foetus, be likely to affect injuriously, or otherwise, the growing germ? Is there any thing more unreasonable in this, than the procuring the stripes and streaks in Jacob's cattle? Let those who ridicule and laugh at the idea of mental impressions in the mother, affecting her offspring during its formative process, give a more reasonable and satisfactory theory, if they can.

Without assenting to the various superstitious notions entertained by some on this mysterious subject, I can not resist the conclusion arrived at from observation (and from what is on record), that many of the defects, deformities and marks, so-called, are the direct result of mental impressions or physical weaknesses of the mother during the forming period of the foetus in utero.

That many women of a different temperament, or at a subsequent stage of gestation, are thus exposed and escape such dire results, proves just nothing at all. A great deal depends, also, upon habit; for it is well known that women, who are accustomed to witness sights and scenes of horror, cruelty and the shedding of blood, lose all feeling of dread or fear of the occurrence of such things in their presence. While some will faint at the sight of blood, or shrink from seeing the decapitation of a fowl, others

will look upon the worst aspects and most shocking forms of cruelty and torture of both men and animals, or even engage in the destruction of life with the utmost composure, and with evident delight and pleasure. With such there is little danger of defects and malformations being the result of merely mental impressions.

ART. IV. Remittent Fever and Complications.

BY DR. F. W. HUNTER, Burnside, Ills.

This disease has prevailed more extensively in the military tract of Illinois during the last eighteen months, than I have observed in a practice extending over a period of eight years.

At this time, January 13th, it is the principle affection we are called to see. Is it not a freak of the disease to prevail in midwinter? The disease has, to some extent, metamorphosed as winter approached. Now, the predominating symptoms are pharyngitis and neuralgia, while in warm weather gastric disturbanc gave most distress.

The mild and limited course of some cases, and the violent, alarming and protracted career of others, is worthy of note. Two or more cases in a family may present entirely different symptoms, but the practitioner has no difficulty in making a diagnosis. So completely has this affection occupied the field, that were it not for the variety of symptoms accompanying it, one would be almost justifiable in forming a diagnosis, and indicate a course of treatment without seeing the patient.

The practitioner that has treated both remittent and spotted fever, can not help but notice the marked resemblance of man symptoms. However, the career of these maladies are quite op posite. The introduction of cerebro-spinal meningitis into locality, is marked by extreme mortality in the beginning. First cases are characterized by greater malignancy than subsequent ones, during the first week the majority die suddenly; then it assumes a milder form, and a large share of those, attacked toward the close of its career, recover. It gives rise to the supposition, that the poison floats in the atmosphere surrounding us, and is gradually exhausted. Not so with remittent fever. Mild cases.

may occur at the beginning, and grave ones at the close of the epidemic, and vice versa.

Delirium has been manifested alone in patients ranging from two years of age to five, and only with those suffering from high grade of fever. Delirium arose in about one-tenth of my cases. Earache, during the past month, has constituted a prominent feature among children suffering from remittent fever.

Intermittent fever has not, in a single instance, preceded an attack of remittent, nor has it been a sequel. In a number f cases relapses have occurred, but remained simple remittent fever One case was clearly a combination of typhoid and remittent both elements were clearly marked during the first week, when the intestinal trouble gave way, leaving a simple case of remittent. Five cases assumed a continued form, running from three to eight weeks. In no one of the five cases was an opportunity afforded to try the abortive plan, not seeing any of them until the fever had become continuous. Three of the above patients were over sixty years of age, and one of the three over seventy The latter had suffered for over thirty years from a large indolent ulcer on the leg. At the end of four weeks he left his bed; appetite strong; ate fried mush, and relapsed. Running a second course of four weeks he again convalesced, making a rapid recovery for one of his age. The ulcer which had annoyed him so long, had healed without any treatment being directed toward it. A year has since elapsed, and the old gentleman enjoys excellent health.

In a case of obstinate delirium, paraphlegia ensued, with partial aberation of the mind. Three months has passed away since this child, aged two years, was taken down. It is now slowly regaining the use of its lower extremities; mind appears almost restored.

In a few cases high fever and delirium precluded the administration of quinia in sufficient doses to cut short the disease. Not a single case where remissions occurred, failed to be arrested by large doses of sulph, quinia. Continued cases were put upon a supporting plan, with small doses of quinia throughout the disease. Cold water was used freely in all cases. Purgatives were only given to overcome constipation, and then injections were preferable when convenient.

With young children the symptoms are similar to what ha