during the night, about nine hours after the first stroke of the snake. After death, the tissues around the wounds inflicted by the fangs of the snake were found to be infiltrated with bloody serum and tenacious blood, which did not appear to possess the power of coagulating. The muscular fibres, in the region of the wounds, which had been subjected to the direct action of the poison, were evidently in a state of softening and disorganization. The bloody fluid issuing from the various cut surfaces presented a tenacious appearance, and was of a dark purplish-brown color, and changed very slowly and imperfectly to a lighter color when exposed to the action of the atmosphere. The coloring matter of the blood-corpuscles had evidently been altered, and had escaped in many cases from the blood cells. The infiltration of all parts around where the poison had been injected, and the flow of the blood out of the vessels which had not been ruptured by the fangs of the snake, as well as the bloody color of the effused serum-all point to profound changes both in the blood and in the capillaries and muscular tissues. A simple prick with a sharp instrument, like that of the fangs, certainly could not produce the pouring out of disorganized blood and bloody serum, through all the pectoral muscles. The blood and bloody tissues subjected to the immediate action of the poison, remained black, and did not change, even after several hours' exposure to the action of the atmosphere. The brain was not more congested with blood than usual, and the physical and microscopical examination failed to detect any alterations characteristic of the action of the poison on the nervous structures. The spinal cord, in like manner, presented no special alterations. Heart somewhat relaxed--empty, and apparently softer than is usual with the heart of birds. The intestines, liver, stomach and spleen presented no special alterations, except that the liver appeared to be somewhat more congested with dark blood than usual. The blood-corpuscles, under the microscope, appeared in many cases to be swollen and altered in shape. Experiment No. 3.-A portion of the dark, black and purplish-black flesh and blood, from the breast of the cock, killed by the stroke of the copperhead, as related in the preceding experiment, was introduced beneath the skin, on the side of a young kitten, three weeks old, and secured by a bandage. Twenty-four hours afterwards, the wound looked healthy, and the kitten did not appear to be at all affected. During the night, the mother pulled off the bandage and licked out the meat and blood. No injurious effects were observed from the action of the flesh of the cock. Experiment No. 4.-Augusta, Ga., May 12th, 1862.The copperhead appeared to be much exhausted by its strokes of the dog and cock, and its poison appeared to lose its activity, for a fine large pointer dog, which was bitten on the foot and lip by the snake, at the conclusion of the experiments, was but slightly affected. The temperature of the rectum, which stood before the stroke of the snake at 103°.1 F., remained at the same point, and whilst there was some swelling of the foot and lip, it was comparatively slight. The action of the poison was manifested chiefly in a tendency in the dog to sleep, and also in a slight increase in the frequency of the beats of the heart. The effects were only temporary, and the dog recovered entirely in a few days. Experiment No. 5.-Augusta Ga., June 5th, 1862.The copperhead used in the preceding experiments was allowed to rest for near one month, in order that it might accumulate a stock of poison. The fine large black cur dog, which had been employed in the first experiments, and which at this time was very fat and strong, was selected for the trial. Temperature of rectum 103 ̊.7 F. Action of heart, 100 per minute in standing posture (this number represents the impulses of the heart against the walls of the thorax). The copperhead inflicted several severe bites upon the fore-legs and nose of the dog. In five minutes the effects were manifest. During the infliction of the wounds by the snake, the dog cried out loudly and shivered with pain. In eight minutes the nervous syɛtem had given way entirely; this loss of nervous power was ushered in by convulsive movements, the voiding of fæces, dilatation of the pupil, laborious breathing and inability to stand, complete prostration of the muscular system, frequent convulsive efforts to void fæces, and apparent loss of consciousness. The temperature of the rectum, during this period of twenty-five minutes, remained at 103°.7 F., and then rose to 104° F. During the period that the thermometer remained stationary, the breathing of the dog was stertorous; as the heat rose the dog appeared better, passed a great quantity of urine, and then the breathing became better. Up to this period, after the strokes of the reptile, the action of the heart could scarcely be felt. One hour after stroke of snake, temperature of rectum 104° F. Action of heart so rapid and feeble as scarcely to be felt, and it cannot be counted with accuracy. The dog appears a little better, and notices when called. Two hours after bites of snake the action of the heart can be felt with sufficient distinctness to be counted, and is now 160 per minute in the recumbent posture; the dog has again voided a large quantity of urine, and appears sensible; the respiration, which was before 48 per minute, is now 40, and is no longer stertorous; the animal raises his head and notices when called, and the pupils are less dilated; and when raised up upon the fore-legs, maintains his position and appears quite sensible. June 6.-Next morning, dog looks badly-dysenteric flux from the bowels-bloody discharges of altered bloodcorpuscles, having a dingy, dark, purplish look. Temperature of rectum 1019.3 F. Extremities feel cold. Leg much swollen-the swollen leg feels warmer than the other extremities. Animal very weak and feeble. Action of heart 145; respiration 24. With the diminution in the frequency of the action of the heart, and the diminution in the frequency of the respiration, the intellect appears clearer. The evacuations of the bowels resembled in appearance tar, presenting a black color, and consisting almost entirely of altered and partially coagulated and concreted blood. When broken up and spread upon a glass slide, these tar-like excrements presented the appearance of a semitransparent bloody jelly. Under the microscope but very few blood-corpuscles could be seen, and these were altered in shape; it appeared as if the walls of the corpuscles had been dissolved, and the coloring matters had discolored the thick mucus and the thick serous, and exuded glutinous and fibrous matters. Whether the destruction of the cell-walls of the bloodcorpuscles occurred in the intestines after the passage of the blood out of the blood-vessels, from ruptured vessels, or whether there were but few ruptures of the capillaries of the intestinal mucous membrane, but rather a transudation of the altered blood with its co!oring matter through the walls of the capillaries, was considered important to be determined. The large quantity, and the black color of the intestinal discharges, led me to view them as of the nature of a hæmorrhage. Six o'clock P.M.-Action of heart 145; respiration 22. Dog very lethargic and feeble in motions, but perfectly sensible. Has discharged more of the tar-like bloody matter. Temperature of rectum 101°.4 F. The dog drank a large quantity of cool water, and in a few moments the temperature fell to 100°.4 F., and remained at this point for three-quarters of an hour. 1st. The primary and chief action of the poison of the American copperhead (Trigonocephalus Contortrix) is upon the blood. 2d. The poison of the copperhead is directly destructive to the colored blood-corpuscle, altering its physical and chemical properties and relations, and rendering it unfit for the performance of its important offices in circulation, respiration, and nutrition. 3d. The poison of the copperhead appears to have an affinity more especially for the coloring matter of the colored blood-corpuscles. June 7, 2 o'clock P.M.-Action of the heart about the same in frequency as on yesterday, but more feeble; the dog rose up to pass excrements, and the pulsations or beats of the heart increased to 184 per minute. Respiration slow and regular as before. Temperature of rectum 103.1 F.-there has been an increase of heat. The dog still passes from the bowels, black, bloody, gelatinous, tar-like matter. The surface of the wound on 4th. Under the action of the poison of the copperhead the leg is of a dark color, and emits a dark-colored serous the animal temperature is but slightly increased, notwithfluid. The dog appears to be sensible, but is very slug-standing the profound changes inaugurated in the blood; gish and indisposed to motion; drinks water freely, but and after the establishment and propagation of these patho-· refuses food-has refused to eat ever since the stroke logical changes the temperature descends. of the reptile. Lips also much swollen. During the night this dog died. 5th. The action of the heart is increased in frequency, and diminished in force, under the influence of the poison of the Trigonocephalus Contortrix. This increase in the rapidity of the pulsations of the heart is not, as in the case of febrile diseases, attended by a marked rise of animal temperature. This difference may be due to the peculiar and direct action of the poison upon the colored 6th. In its action upon the cerebro-spinal nervous system, the poison of the Trigonocephalus Contortrix resembles a mild narcotic-whilst rendering the animal sluggish and stupid, it may produce death without the establishment of profound coma. Autopsy 30 hours after death. The fore-leg which had been struck by the copperhead was infiltrated with bloody serum; all the fibrous tissues of the leg and thigh beneath the skin, up to the abdomen and beyond, were greatly infiltrated with dark purplish-black serum. Under the microscope this presented numerous oil-glo-blood-corpuscles. bules and altered blood-corpuscles, with ragged star-like edges; long acicular crystals were also seen floating amongst the altered blood-corpuscles. The blood, from the swollen infiltrated cellular structures of the head and nose, where the snake inflicted the severest bite, presented a peculiar appearance; thousands of small 7th. The profound alterations induced in the constituacicular crystals were mingled with the altered blood-tion of the blood by the poison of the American coppercorpuscles, and as the bloody serum and effused blood head give rise to passive haemorrhages into the cellular dried, the blood-corpuscles seemed to be transformed structures, and from the intestinal mucous membrane. This into crystalline masses, shooting out into crystals of phenomenon recalls strongly the passive hæmorrhages hæmatin in all directions. The blood-vessels of the in certain febrile diseases, and especially of yellow fever. brain were filled with gelatinous coagulable blood, which Some have supposed that the black vomit of yellow presented altered blood-corpuscles and acicular crystals. fever was the resultant of the effects of the preceding The muscular system everywhere presented a dark intense fever. Do not the present experiments indicate purplish color. The heart was filled with coagulated that it is rather the resultant of the action of a poison black blood. When spread upon a glass slide, the blood-upon the blood and gastro-mucous membrane? We have corpuscles almost immediately commenced to assume a here also an illustration of the mode in which dysentery crystalline form. Blood-vessels of brain filled with dark might be produced by a poison introduced into the blood; membranes and structures of brain presented a blood. normal appearance; there were no lesions of the brain recognizable to the eye. The exterior fibrous sheath of the spinal cord presented a red appearance, as if the coloring matters of the blood had been effused; structure of spinal cord natural; vertebral arteries filled with coagulated blood. Stomach.-Mucous membrane of this viscus greatly congested the stomach contained a considerable quantity of bloody water. Small Intestines.-Congested with blood, and presenting a dark purplish appearance. Some portions were more congested with blood than others. The congestion was especially great in the ilium, colon, and rectum. The lower portions of the intestinal canal-the ilium, colon, and rectum resembled raw flesh, and contained the dark, tar-like, altered blood. The peritoneum presented a purplish reddish color, as if saturated with the disorganized blood. The internal coat of all the arteries was in like manner stained by the coloring matters of the blood. The liver was congested with blood, and rapidly underwent decomposition. Spleen somewhat enlarged. The fibrous tissue of the lungs was infiltrated with bloody serum. All the organs and tissues appeared to have suffered. From the preceding experiments, designed to illustrate the mode of action of a poison about which little or nothing was known, we conclude: A CASE OF HYDROPHOBIA. OF MONTCLAIR, N. Y. I was called to-day to see Mr. T. L., a robust and healthy man, æt. 61-from whom I learned that on the previous day he had commenced feeling unwell, that he was nervous, had rheumatism, as he called it, in his left arm and shoulder, and that he had difficulty in drinking water. This difficulty in drinking he had first noticed about twelve o'clock on the preceding night; when feeling thirsty, he had attempted to take some water, and found himself frightened at its approach, and unable to drink it without considerable effort. About two hours before I saw him he had been advised by a friend to apply "wet cloths" to his painful shoulder, and on their application, he received, as he expressed it, "a tremendous chill." I requested him to drink some water-he took the glass, but on its approach, looked at it in an anxious, startled manner, sighed deeply, and as he brought it towards his lips, his breathing seemed to be one long jerking expiration, and when he drank the water, it was with a convulsive effort. I gave him some tincture of valerian from a teaspoon, which he took with comparative ease. His pulse at this time was 80, his temperature 98, his surface cold and damp. Fearing hydrophobia, but not wishing to alarm the family, I made no inquiries suggestive of this disease. In the course of an hour, however, I ascertained from his son, that Mr. L. had been bitten by a dog, on the 10th of May last, that he had sought professional aid at the time, had the usual remedies applied, and that the wound had healed readily and perfectly. I recommended that a consultation be had, and it was agreed to send for Dr. O'Gorman of Newark, who arrived about midnight. In the meantime the patient had been visited by my friend Dr. J. J. H. Love, who had prescribed "Bibron's Antidote," a remedy which he had found effectual in curing rattlesnake bites, during his connection with the army. This remedy was given for seven or eight hours with no apparent effect. Dr. O'Gorman confirmed the diagnosis of hydrophobia, and suggested the administration of morphia in the form of Magendie's Solution by hypodermic injection. This treatment was persevered in, with the result shown in the sequel. During the first night the solution was twice injected, the first dose being about five, and the second about ten minims. The effect was marked. In the morning he was much calmer, and was able to drink with greater ease. I should have mentioned that in the early part of the night, he had become rapidly worse. He would sit for ten or fifteen minutes, in a state of composure, during which time he would converse rationally, and manifest no other signs of indisposition than a certain wild and restless expression of the eyes. Then of a sudden he would start to his feet, walk excitedly about the room, complain of thirst, and be seized with a fit of spasmodic retching and vomiting. On one occasion I noticed that his pulse, which in the intervals of calmness was regular, suddenly ceased and lost one or two beats, just before one of his spasmodic attacks. more frequently till about noon, when he was no long- REMARKS ON PULMONARY PHTHISIS OF BOSTON, MASS. (No. 1.) PROFESSOR NIEMEYER, in his lately published treatise upon phthisis pulmonalis, lays great stress upon the fact that many pathological processes have been confounded with tuberculosis. His dissent from the general belief in the hereditary transmission of tubercles is a very important point. But he does not explain his views as to the nature and origin of tubercles. Speaking of a croupose, scrophulous, gelatinose pneumonia, he distinguishes between an acute catarrhal pneumonia with accumulation of young, indifferent and round cells in the alveoles (page 12) and a chronic catarrhal pneuDuring the following day, till three o'clock, the mor- monia which may originate in perfectly healthy lungs, phia was given once in about two hours in doses vary- and which may either be the inception or the conseing from five to fifteen minims of the solution, according quence of pathological changes leading to tuberculosis, to the symptoms. To such an extent did the patient (page 17). The word pneumonia is here used in its improve under this treatment, that, to a person unac- broadest sense. The question arises, what is to be quainted with his previous history, he would have understood by pneumonia under the circumstances? seemed to be but slightly indisposed. Between three It is not said where and how the young, indifferent, and seven o'clock P. M. no morphia was given. When I round cells are to be formed? It is very difficult to saw him at the latter hour, he was very much worse, comprehend how pneumonia can begin as a chronic all his symptoms having returned with increased severi- condition in healthy lungs. The statement that a ty. His pulse was now 120, and his temperature 98. bronchial catarrh can directly infect the alveoles and The morphia was again resorted to, and its former tran-lung-tissue requires discussion. In a therapeutical view quillizing effect realized. It was now noticed, however, he declares himself powerless in the treatment of that it was necessary to use the remedy in larger quan- tuberculosis. tities in order to produce the same result as before. How can a primary tubercle originate in a healthy lung, the other organs not exhibiting evidence of former pathological processes, thus excluding emboli? The information which we receive from autopsies can help us but little towards answering this question, because we observe consequences and not the origin. We can only speculate upon what may occur under given circumstances. At about eight o'clock P. M. of the second day, I made a microscopic examination of a specimen of the patient's blood, with negative results, except that there seemed to be considerable irregularity in the contour of the blood corpuscles. During the night he became somewhat delirious, but was easily managed. He took several glasses of milk and some ale, with comparative ease. In the morning another intermission of four The contraction of the right ventricle forces the hours occurred in the administration of the morphia, blood into the lungs until it reaches the capillaries, and its withdrawal at this time was attended, as in the and prevents regurgitation. Respiration is the proformer instance, with a decided change for the worse. pelling power which moves the blood through the When I saw the patient at seven o'clock in the morn- capillaries; and it is carried from the lungs into the ing, he was wandering about the fields, very delirious, left heart partly by inspiration, but mainly by the and having, every ten or fifteen minutes, violent parox-sucking power of the left auricle and ventricle. I conysms of coughing and retching. I gave him, in the course of an hour, two large doses of morphia, but its effect in diminishing the severity of his attacks was not appreciable. During his spasms he coughed up large quantities of frothy saliva and tenacious mucus. At about ten o'clock he commenced to fall when his spasms came on, and to struggle upon the ground-this he did more and sider it unnecessary to argue the correctness of this statement. From it we conclude that if respiration ceases, the motion of the blood through the capillaries slackens until it entirely stops. In physiological textbooks it is stated that the exchange of air in the lungs is effected by the law of diffusion of gases. I deny the correctness of this statement. From experiments which I have made with carbonic acid in water, and with different kinds of blood under pressure in lime-water, I have reason to believe that blood does not contain any absolutely free carbonic acid, as is stated in books. The experiments made by several physiologists for evolving carbonic acid from blood do not show the presence of free carbonic acid at all, only the fact that blood contains carbonic acid, or that carbon is held in such a way as to be easily converted into carbonic acid. Herrmann in his Physiology states: "The pressure of the carbonic acid in the alveoles is so high that the law of diffusion of gases hardly serves for the explanation of the disengagement of carbonic acid. There must be other than simply physical processes to account for the disengagement of the carbonic acid." Traube supposes the existence of substances which aid in the transformation (Uebertragungs-stoffe). The absorption of oxygen by the blood does not follow Dalton's law; the introduction of oxygen immediately disengages carbonic acid. The view that the capillaries lying in contact with the alveoles dismiss their carbonic acid, and absorb oxygen directly, loses its ground as soon as we consider that the blood-vessels touch the alveoles in one point only, that both gases would meet in this same point, passing through two membranes, offering considerable resistance, and being of different structure; and the quantity of gas and enormous rapidity with which the exchange actually takes place. It seems to me absolutely necessary that the blood-serum which holds the carbonic acid must meet the oxygen in a third place, independent of the capillaries and alveoles. This place can only be the meshes of the elastic tissue. I cannot see how it can be difficult to understand the ultimate process of respiration when we consider that the capillaries throughout the body are penetrable by the blood-serum (especially in the lungs, as seen by injecting them); that the walls of the alveoles are penetrable by air only under normal conditions; that the meshes of the elastic tissue are constantly extending and contracting through respiration; that oxygen has the power to disengage carbonic acid immediately from the serum; that the blood has a decided and strong affinity for oxygen; that the oxygen cannot reach the globules except through the serum, and that the serum holds the carbonic acid to be disengaged and not the globules. As the alveoles collapse, and the elastic tissue extends, the serum fills its meshes; between expiration and inspiration the whole surface of the alveoles is thus open for the oxygen to act on the serum; during inspiration by the distension of the alveoles the blood-serum is pressed back in the capillaries, and the whole blood is thus propelled forward. The ignorance in which physiology has, so far, left us upon this point is, in my opinion, the reason that the origin and nature of tuberculosis and the definite process of pneumonia have not found their ultimate explanation. permit. It is hardly necessary to state that the degenerating blood-globules would instigate degeneration also in the cells of the tissue. This process will account for the nuclei found in tubercles, as well as for the fatty cells, pus-cells, and the new cells which are nothing but blood-globules, both white and red, in different stages of degeneration. It also accounts for the peculiar fact that tubercles never exceed a certain magnitude, a phenomenon which has never been explained as yet. The observation that primary tubercles always begin in the apex and never in the bases of the lungs cannot be accounted for except by the above theory, which, answering the microscopical examination of tubercles in all complications, as well as bearing account with all pre-existing theories, has the advantage of being comprehensible and not requiring extraordinary agents necessary for explanation. The theory of a specific new formation which ends with its beginning is incomprehensible. The existence of a "materia morbi," or the inherited nucleolus, which can be hidden for twenty years, and then make its appearance as an unavoidable tubercle, may be found unnecessary. The theory that a tubercle is the result of a certain plasma which, having been originated by a certain blood-diathesis, exudes into the alveoles, is contradicted by microscopical examination of tubercles. The theory that tubercles are the result of an inflammatory process does not account for the isolated miliary tubercle. The tubercle resulting from an embolus presupposes a pre-existing primary affection. The view of Virchow that tubercles are a new formation, originating from the connective tissue cells, analogous to other new formations, is inconsistent with the fact that they never exceed the small size in which they appear. PROGRESSIVE LOCOMOTOR ATAXY. PHYSICIAN TO ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL, PHILADELPHIA. J. FD, æt. 41, widower, born in England, by trade a carpenter, late a private in the Pennsylvania volunteers; states that, about October, 1862, he was attacked with dysentery, which was followed immediately by typhoid fever. This lasted some four or five weeks, and was of rather a mild character. When recovering, however, he found that he was unable to walk properly; that his gait was unsteady, and the movements of his lower limbs particularly uncertain. After a time, though not improving, he was returned to his regiment, and put on light duty at headquarters. His condition at this time was attributable to weakness resulting from the fever, and as he was afraid of being considered a "shirker," he made extraordinary efforts to perform the light duties assigned him; consequently Returning to the formation of tubercles, I repeat he tottered and stumbled around, and so painful did his that the motion of the blood lessens to complete stag- movements become at last to his superiors, that in nation as soon as respiration entirely ceases in any part November, 1863, he was allowed to rest from duty altoof the lungs, the blood-globules accumulating and form-gether. In April, 1864, he was sent to Turner's Lane ing a thrombus. [The sigh which we are obliged to take from time to time, especially when inactive in a stooping position, is the precaution of nature to prevent this accumulation, and is in no way necessitated by want of oxygen.] The consequence is an enlargement of the capillary vessel before this thrombus, which, owing to the pressure of the right heart and the increasing thinness of its walls, is liable to burst under certain circumstances. Thus blood-globules escape into the meshes of the tissue, where they act as foreign bodies, undergoing such changes as circumstances will Hospital, Philadelphia, where he remained under treatment until September, 1864, without experiencing any improvement. Since then he has been under the care of several physicians, but without perceptible benefit. For the past year he has taken no medicine, and he does not perceive that he has suffered any aggravation of his symptoms as a consequence of this abstinence. Nux vomica, iron, iodide of potassium, and faradisation, are the principal remedies that have been employed in his treatment, the last being the only one which, he says, did him any good. He has never been addicted to the excessive use of tobacco or spirituous drinks, nor has he, at any time, been accustomed to masturbation (which last vice the ancients considered as the cause of this disease). The principal points exhibited by this case are the following: 66 passed into a healthy condition. The anterior columns and roots of the nerves presented no abnormity." Rokitansky* (vol. iii., page 335) passes over this disease with very slight notice, merely stating that atrophy of the lumbar portion especially, under the name of Tabes Dorsalis, has long obtained the attention of physicians, as a consequence of the decay of the generative powers and of spermatorrhoea. From thence the wasting gradually extends, as has been said, and becomes a total atrophy." Duchenne, Trousseau, Wunderlich, Friedreich, BrownSéquard, and others, have more recently and learnedly written upon this disease, and to those who would wish to make themselves au fait in the various views advanced by these eminent gentlemen, I would refer them to the originals. I merely offer the history of this case as one that might be interesting to your readers, and as a contribution to the history of a class of cases comparatively rare in this country. In conclusion I would direct attention to the apparent cause of the disease in this case, viz., typhoid fever, which I have not seen thus far mentioned as one of its causes. I have seen paralysis, insanity, spasms, long-continued functional disease of the heart, &c., the results of typhoid fever, and in this case we see another of the terrible sequelae of this dreaded disease. The gait is tottering, and the movements of the upper as well as the lower limbs uncertain and trembling; in walking he feels as if he were treading on some soft yielding substance like wool or hair, and is obliged to carry the head forward and the eyes looking downward, otherwise he would be certain to fall. If he attempts to move forward while looking upward, he immediately loses his balance and runs great danger of falling backwards. In the dark, or with his eyes closed, he finds himself unable to move about at all without the aid of the touch. Pain in the lumbar spine is complained of, but pressure there does not appear to excite particular uneasiness or pain- a prickling sensation in the skin and a general flushing at times are complained of. His upper extremities are not so much affected as the lower ones, and are less so than in the beginning; formerly he states that he had some difficulty in carrying food to the mouth, or in executing any of the movements of the hand and arm, now, however, though the limb trembles, and the motions are made slowly, still he can execute these tolerably well. His grasp upon large objects is strong though not steady; small objects he is unable to hold; he finds great difficulty in buttoning his clothes, and where the buttons are small he fails completely in accomplishing it. All virile power is entirely lost, and has been for the last two years, no erection being experienced during that time. He is very emotional, and at times very de-cal spondent, and during these fits of despondency he is strongly impelled to commit suicide. His vision is not impaired, but his memory is somewhat weakened. In the beginning he suffered much from incontinence of urine, but now is able to retain it pretty well. His bowels are regular and appetite is pretty good. His mother died of paralysis; his father is still living. GARIBALDI has written a letter severely commenting upon the treatment of his wounded followers in Rome. The correspondent of the Standard, however, states that out of 175 prisoners taken at Mentara and Monte Tarioli about 50 have died in the hospitals of Sant' Onofrio and Sant' Agata, and that this proportion is almost identi with that in the case of the Zouaves engaged in the same combats as the Garibaldians; moreover, that every pitals at Rome. Amputations have in most cases not care has been bestowed upon the wounded in the hosbeen followed by good results, but this is accounted for by the climate and unhealthy season.-Lancet. SURGEONS OF SICK ASSURANCE SOCIETIES.-It is anI would add, that though he states that he has lost nounced that 165 medical practitioners in Birmingham flesh since he was attacked, his limbs and body do not all, save 12-have signed a declaration affirming the appear emaciated or thinner than might be expected. This case came first under my notice about two years ago, and since then I have had occasion to examine him several times for the Pension Office (he being on the Invalid Pension Roll of this city). It being the first case of the kind that I had ever seen, my attention was directed to it very particularly, and I have watched its progress with a great deal of interest. During the time that it has been under my notice I do not think that any change has been observable. Romberg, in his beautiful work on the Nervous System, gives under the name of "Tabes Dorsalis a very clear and accurate description of this disease, the pathological condition of which he states to be an atrophy of the posterior columns and roots of the spinal cord and nerves. In his description of the post-mortem examination of one case (vol. ii., page 399) he states, "The spinal cord, compared with the fresh cord of a man of the same age, only amounted to two-thirds of its normal size; I was not a little surprised to find that the atrophy was confined to the lower part of the posterior columns and nerves. The medullary tissue of the former had almost entirely disappeared, so that they were translucent and of a greyish-yellow color. The posterior roots of the nerves were deprived of their matter, and presented a watery appearance. From the middle of the dorsal nerves upwards, the atrophy A Manual of the Nervous Diseases of Man. By M. H. Romberg, M.D. Two vols. Sydenham Society. 1858. principle that five shillings per member shall be the minimum payment received by surgeons of sick assurance societies. The fee has hitherto been only two shillings and sixpence. OVARIAN TUMORS CURED WITHOUT AN OPERATION.Dr. D. L. Miller, of Chicago, Ill. (Am. Journal Med. Sciences), in a report on Obstetrics, before the Illinois State Medical Society, mentions three cases of ovarian tumor with recovery without an operation. Under a treatment of laxatives and tonics, with, alternately, the iodide and bromide of potassium, chlorate of potassa, bitter tinctures, nutritious diet, and counter-irritants over seat of tumor, the tumor disappeared. In the first case the tumor disappeared at the end of ten months. In the third case, the female was 36 years old, the mother of two children. Tumor first detected after an attack of peritonitis; at the end of three years and four months had reached the size of the foetal head. After a long treatment by laxatives, tonics, and nutritious diet, with counter-irritation over tumor, and as alteratives, iodide and bromide of potassium, the growth of the tumor ceased. In May, 1867, the patient was delivered of twins. June 2, 1867, a careful examination failed to detect any enlargement of either ovary. Prof. M. queries whether the diminution in the size of the tumor was due to the continuous pressure exercised for so many months by the enlarging uterus. A Manual of Path. Anat. By C. Rokitansky, M.D. Four vols. Philadelphia. |