Progress of Medical Science.

The presence of an aching pain of the back is one of the most constant symptoms; pain is also felt across the shoulders and on the top of the head and forehead. Sleep is a marked symptom; the patient will often be awakened by frightful dreams.

Academy of Sciences, on fermentation and on the source of muscular power; and in this connection showed that Pasteur's most famous discovery, which seemed to most EXCESSIVE LACTATION AND TREATMENT. - Professor strikingly disprove Liebig's former theory of fermentation, Graily Hewitt, of London, speaks very truly, when that is, the multiplication and propagation of the yeasthe states that the process of lactation constitutes a plant which Pasteur claimed to have produced in a mixgreat drain on the system of the mother. This long-ture of tartrate of ammonia, sugar, and the ashes of yeast, continued supply of nourishment to the infant is pro- was based upon a gross error. Liebig explained that, acductive of very injurious effects on the body and mind, cording to his analysis, the chief ingredient of yeast was a when the mother is without a good constitution and substance which, like the casein of milk, contained health. nearly one per cent. of sulphur, and which, in a state of putrefaction, made itself known also to those who are no chemists by its fetid odor. But as the materials used by Pasteur for the purpose of making the yeastplant grow, contained no sulphur, his statement as to the multiplication of this plant under the conditions mentioned by him, was simply an impossibility. The proofs adduced by Pasteur with reference to the disappearance of the ammonia and its consumption for the support of the fungus are called frivolous observations by Liebig. Pasteur has overlooked the fact, that with the yeast-ashes he added soluble and insoluble phosphates to his mixture, which with the calcined magnesia added for the purpose of driving off the ammonia necessarily caused the formation of the well-known phosphate of ammonia and magnesia; and that in this view the means which he employed to determine the quantity of ammonia made this substance indeterminable. missing ammonia was not, therefore, consumed by the growth of the fungus, but had simply entered into a

The Treatment. The first indication is to wean the infant. The mother can pretty safely, for the child, wean it at the age of six weeks or two months.

To procure sleep is the next important indication. One or two grains of opium may be given at bed-time. Opium is relied upon when puerperal mania actually

comes.

The diet should be of the most nourishing and easilydigested variety; eggs, milk and beef tea, and meat two or three times a day, if it can be borne. Large quantities of stimulants are often required.

He concludes that in all cases, whether there be mental alienation or not, tonics-iron, quinine, or bark -are indicated.

The

THE DIAGNOSIS OF A MALIGNANT TUMOR BY MICROSCOP-chemical combination, the formation of which Pasteur ICAL EXAMINATION. Professor Waldeyer, of Breslau has overlooked. In reference to the labors of Fick, (Lancet, May 2, 1868), remarks, that the diagnosis of Wislicenus, and Frankland, which are by many conthe malignity or innocency of a tumor from a microsco-sidered as proofs against Liebig's theory of muscle-labor, pical examination must be abandoned; as the malignity Liebig observed that this depended upon an imperfect of a tumor does not depend alone on its anatomical structure, but upon other conditions-like locality, and the general condition of the patient. A particular form of tumor will remain perfectly innocent in one case; in another, evidence of intense maliguity will be seen in

a tumor of the same anatomical elements.

AVOIDANCE OF AMPUTATION IN CERTAIN CASES OF SEVERE INJURY.-Jonathan Hutchinson, F.R.C.S., Surgeon to the London Hospital (Medical Press and Circular), speaks as follows on amputations:-Of late years exceedingly few amputations for injuries have been performed by me. The difference in risk to life between a primary amputation and a severe compound fracture seems to be very little. Nor have secondary amputations been favorable when resorted to in patients who were doing badly. You may infer that the patient will ordinarily succumb if the shock of an amputation be added, provided he is bearing the compound fracture badly. In asking medical men to avoid as a general thing the performance of secondary amputation, cases of traumatic gangrene are not included. In summarizing the principal points obtained from experience, he concludes:-1st. As a means of saving the patient from irritation and exhaustion, he thinks less highly of amputation. A compound fracture is very dangerous, but not more than a primary amputation. 2d. In secondary amputations, estimate the local conditions and almost disregard the constitutional ones. 3d. As to the time for secondary amputations--wait until the inflammatory fever has subsided, also until suppuration is established. You may amputate with safety when the wound is granulating, and the patient eats well.

FERMENTATION AND SOURCE OF MUSCULAR POWER.Professor Von Liebig recently delivered an address to the mathematico-physical class of the Munich Royal

conception of the nature of the organic processes under consideration. The working capacity of a muscle in the living body can as little be calculated by the combus tion of a piece of dried muscle, as the above-named investigators wish to do, as the soaring for hours of a bee, or the labor which it performed in propelling its weight of body for miles, can be determined by the combustion of a dried bee. The muscle in the living body behaves like the apparatus in a watch, which gradually gives out the force accumulated in it: a freshly prepared frog's leg presents snch an apparatus, with a check, that of a frog's heart, one without the check; the latter continues to labor for hours, just as in the living body; the former moves as soon as an irritation removes the check, and by hanging small weights to the leg, labor could be performed with it, ie., the weight could alternately be lifted to a certain height, without blood or the supply of any nutriment.-Allgemeine Med. Central Zeitung.

THE PATHOLOGY OF SHOCK.-Mr. LeGros Clark, in his lectures on surgical diagnosis as reported in the Lancet, said:

It

The great characteristic of shock was the vital depression produced by some exciting cause, acting primarily on the nervous centres and heart, and secondarily on the organs of respiration, secretion, &c. might be produced by physical causes, when it was often most intensely marked, by mental emotion and by blood-poisoning. The predisposing causes by which the effects of shock are increased were mental peculiarities, the nervous temperament, and structural disease of some viscus interfering with the elimination of the products of organic combustion, and the consequent blood-poisoning which takes place. At different ages the effects of shock were differently manifested. early life the impressibility was greatest, and reaction

In

least; old age offered the reverse conditions; while middle life presented the time when the effects of shock and phenomena of reaction are best marked. The shock produced by railway accidents was often severe, especially in its remote effects.

The lecturer then detailed at considerable length some observations he had made on the temperature in shock. His results agreed in the main with those of Mr. Jordan, of Birmingham. The temperature generally fell one or two degrees, and subsequently rose during reaction to between 100° and 103°, and then in favorable cases gradually declined. The lowest in which recovery took place was 91-2, in a case of cut-throat; the highest 105°, after compound fracture. The lowest temperature in fatal cases was 89-6; the highest was 106°.

Reaction was the rebound of the organism after the depression of shock. It might be so great as to be fatal, but this was rare; in ordinary cases excess was more promising than deficiency. The question of operating during shock was very important; the lecturer believed that operations might be undertaken safely during shock if they did not involve loss of blood. During reaction they were borne badly, except in those cases in which the apparent shock was out of proportion to the cause, and then it was better to wait till the shock had passed

off.

The cause of death from shock was then discussed. Mr. Clark believed that it depended--in such a case, for instance, as a blow on the epigastrium-upon the impulse on the branches of the pneumogastric producing paralysis of the brain, and consequently of the sympathetic, resulting in arrest of the heart's action.

FOLLOWED

A CASE OF COMPOUND FRACTURE OF THE CRANIUM, BY APHASIA. Carl H. Smith, M.D., of Kenton, Ohio (Boston Med. & Surg. Journal), mentions a case of compound fracture of the cranium, followed by aphasia, which came under his own immediate care. A male, aged 34, was admitted to Dennison (U. S. A.) General Hospital, in August, 1864, on account of an injury from a railroad accident. When brought in, he was unconscious, and was at once operated on. During the operation of removing fractured bones, one and one-fourth ounces of brain were lost.

For six weeks, he remained in a semi-conscious condition, being fed by the mouth and rectum. At the end of two months he began to look about himself, but the use of his speech was lost. His intellect was in perfect order, but memory was disordered in its relation to language. For three months he remained in this condition, when he began to learn word after word with assistance, just as if he had never seen a letter. He was able to converse a little in about eight months, but would halt in quest of words. He was not attacked with paralysis during convalescence.

weed cures obstinate cases of asthma. The rosin-weed, silphium laciniatum, known also as the "polar plant," or "compass plant," is a member of the large order Composita, and is found on the high rolling western prairies. The stem is from three to ten feet high, and rough, with white hairs. The leaves are one-half to two feet in length. Four to eight large heads, with yellow | rays, are borne on the stalk, and it flowers in July and September. The plant has a bitterish taste, but pleasant aroma. The best form for administration is the fluid alcoholic extract, twenty to forty drops being the dose.

HEMORRHOIDS.-The following local application is valued highly by Dr. A. E. Hull, of New York, in this

affection.

that it will be about the consistence of thick cream upon
R Manna, iij. Dissolve in boiling water, q. 8., so
turated in a mortar with mercury, q. s., to give the sul-
cooling; add sulphur, 3 iss, to this, previously tri-
mixed with the sulphur; add rhei pulvis, q. s., to make
phur the color of gunpowder. The manna should be
mass, and divide into balls about the size of rifle bullets.
One of the balls, dipped in olive oil, may be introduced
Set away to harden, after being rolled in rhei pulvis.
up the rectuin every night, or every other night, as the
case may be.-The Drug. Cir. & Chem. Gazette.
INSTANTANEOUS HAIR-DYE.-
B Argenti nitr
Plumbi acet.
Aquæ distill.
Aq. Colonensis.

-The Drug. Cir. & Chem. Gazette.

.parts 5 1

100

แ

1

ON SNAKE POISONS.-Mr. Frank Buckland (Lancet), after repeated investigations of the poison emitted from all kinds of snakes, is prepared to say, that the poison— particularly the cobra poison-acts upon the system of the person bitten, by curdling the blood, which is arrested in the heart. He therefore counsels the free use of stimulants; but is not prepared to say what the antidote may be. He thinks that it may be reasoned out pretty correctly.

INGROWING TOE-NAIL.-S. B. Kelly, Franklin, N. H. (Boston Med. & Surg. Journal), practises the following method for this affection. The growth at the side of the nail is burned down with caustic potash; then the caustic is applied to the portion of the nail you wish to remove, being careful not to injure the matrix. The section of the nail can be wiped off in a few days, it having been dissolved by the caustic, leaving the surface smooth and healthy for the nail to grow over. The operation is attended with very little pain.

SEVERITY OF THE LATER CASES OF TYPHOID FEVER.

CUTTING OF THE LEECH, has lately been introduced in Dr. Hudson, in his lecture on Fever, now being pubGermany, so that the blood will flow out of his body lished in the Med. News & Library, states that while as fast as he sucks it from the patient. In this way, an the epidemic typhus generally becomes less fatal, the ounce, or even two ounces, may be drawn by a single contrary is rather the tendency of the endemic typhoid leech. The spring lancet is preferred, though a thumb of summer and autumn, which gradually augments in lancet will answer. The left side is preferred for the severity, the poison becoming more intense, as decomincision, and at the time when the leech has nearly fill-position advances, until a change in its character foled himself, and just before he is ready to stop sucking. lows upon a change of season. The application of a warm sponge keeps away the coagulated blood from the wound. The same leech may be repeatedly applied, and incised at intervals of days or weeks, if carefully kept in clean water.-Pacific Med. and Surg. Journal.

ROSIN WEED (SILPHIUM LACINIATUM) A REPORTED SPECIFIC IN ASTHMA.-Dr. Garrison has received the information from several reliable persons, that the rosin

RUPTURE OF SPINAL CORD FROM CONCUSSION.-At

the meeting of the Medical Society of London, of March 30, Mr. Henry Lee exhibited a specimen of rupture of the spinal cord from concussion, the seat of lesion having been accurately diagnosed before death. Death occurred from apnoea; and the interesting point was that on opening the vertebral column at the point which was supposed to have been injured, no lesion

could be seen: but on making a longitudinal section of the cord the rupture was perfectly apparent.

In many cases similar to this it has been reported that no lesion of the spinal cord existed; and Mr. Lee attributes this to the fact that the interior of the cord was not examined.-Med. Press and Cir.

even removal to the country effected no change. Legard now administered the iodized horseradish syrup, commencing with six teaspoonfuls daily, and increasing this to eight tablespoonfuls. After four weeks of this treatment, no other medication being employed, the child's appetite improved, the normal secretions were increased, marked diuresis occurred, the strength and general appearance of the patient were so improved as to excite the wonder of all observers. Under a continuation of this treatment the swelling of the glands re-entirely disappeared, and the skin of the old cicatrices became soft and pliable. Legard now resolved to remove these unsightly scars with the knife, and under the continued use of the syrup the wounds healed by first intention, showing, six months afterward, a scarcely perceptible line of union.

SYPHILIS COMMUNICATED TO A WET-NURSE.-Dr. Henry Lee, of London, in the Lancet of June 13, records a case in which there is no doubt that secondary syphilis was communicated to a wet-nurse by a babe. The port says:

Some spots appeared on the child's mouth when a fortnight old; and it subsequently had eruptions in other parts of the body.

I saw the wet-nurse five months after she had commenced nursing the child. There was a circumscribed, To-day, sixteen months after the first administration oval, elevated, discolored patch, covered with thick epi- of the iod. horseradish syrup, the boy is in blooming thelial scales, an inch below and to the outer side of the health, having had no recurrence of his trouble. Anleft nipple. This was of much firmer consistence than other equally interesting case is that of a child three the surrounding parts, but wanted the characteristic in- years old, the daughter of a banker, suffering in the duration of primary syphilitic sores on other portions of same manner. All the usual anti-scrofulous and antithe skin. A gland in the axilla was considerably en- scorbutic treatment having failed, the iodized syrup of larged, very hard, and accurately circumscribed. The horseradish was employed as above, in proportionately remains of a well-marked, copper-colored eruption were smaller doses, and a cure was effected at the end of distinctly visible on different parts of the skin, especi- three months. We rejoice to see this valuable prepaally upon the arms. The spot on her breast had com-ration also making its way, to a considerable extent, in menced, she said, soon after taking the child to nurse. Austria, and prophesy for it an equal, though, of course, Her own child, which was quite healthy, she had not not universal success.-[All. Wiener Med. Zeitung.] nursed. She had never suffered from any enlargement of the glands in the groin, nor from any local symptom. Her husband, whom I saw, appeared a perfectly healthy

man.

of time the lamp might be so altered as to become a valuable aid to diagnosis in tumors of various kinds.

TRANSLUCENCY OF THE HUMAN BODY.-At a recent meeting of the Medical Society of London, the President explained the mode in which he had sucIODIZED SYRUP OF HORSERADISH.-We have already lucent by means of the magnesium light; and exhibited ceeded in rendering certain parts of the body transspoken, in a former issue, of the iodized syrup of horseradish (to be obtained in its purity only at the manu- stated, and his remarks were confirmed by others, that a lamp which he had constructed for the purpose. He factory of Messrs. Grimault & Cie., Paris); and from recent and reliable medical reports on this subject we the light of the lamp was powerfully reflected upon the bones of the hand could be distinctly seen when glean the following facts: In France, Holland, and Bel- the hand, and the latter was viewed from the side opgium, the iodized syrup of horseradish has thorough-posite the lamp. The President believed that in course ly established itself as an agent in the treatment of diseases of children, and has almost entirely superseded the use of cod-liver oil. While there are cases indicating the value of the fatty constituents of cod-liver oil, TREATMENT OF PLACENTA PREVIA.-Dr. J. C. Richardthere are many more in which its other components are son, of London, has the following communication in the desirable while the fatty material is contra-indicated; Lancet of June 13:-I beg to communicate a case in while at all times the offensive odor persisting more or which Simpson's method was successful. Mrs. H., in less in every preparation of the article renders its use the seventh month of her second pregnancy, had reamongst children difficult. The iodized syrup of horse-peated attacks of uterine hæmorrhage since the 18th radish of Grimault contains all the constituents of the inst., for which rest, cold applications, etc., had been ol. morrhuæ excepting the rancid oil, which is admi- prescribed. On the evening of the 23d ult. I found the rably replaced by the vegetable oils found therein. The os uteri very slightly dilated, and the discharge profuse. reports now before us are for the most part of swellings I plugged the vagina, applied a T bandage, and gave a of the lymphatic glands in children, the true scrofula, drachm of tincture of opium. On the 24th, at 9 A.M., in which horseradish syrup seems to exert a special the flooding was renewed as soon as the plug was rehealing power. Legard reports the following interest-moved; os uteri dilated to the size of a florin. I ining case: The patient, a boy eleven years old, had suf- troduced my hand into the vagina, and, with the indexfered in his earliest infancy from scrofulous inflammations finger passed through the os uteri, I freely detached the of the eyes and swelling of the Meibomian glands. He placenta all round from the uterine surface. The bleedwas suspected of specific infection, through his nurse, ing ceased, the os uteri gradually dilated, and at 11 A.M., and at one time treated with mercurials. Until his fifth finding the shoulder presenting, I brought one foot into year he suffered repeatedly from affections of the glands the vagina, and gave a drachm of ergot infused. The in the neck and groins, was poorly nourished, and back- delivery of a still-born infant was completed in half an ward in his growth. From the age of five to ten the hour. child did well. At this time he was attacked with va- ACTION OF THEINE.-Dr. Leven (Archives de Physiriola, recovering from which his former condition re- ologie Normale et Pathologique, May-June, 1868), curred. Newly degenerated glands pushed forth with starting with the acknowledged idea that tea contains great exuberance from the cicatrices of the former tu- the same crystallizable, nitrogenized principle as coffee mors. Scarcely had one disappeared by suppuration, and cocoa, has experimented with theine on frogs and than another of the size of a hen's egg would replace it. Guinea pigs. The following are the results of his exThe child rapidly emaciated, while iodine, iod. of potassi-periments:-1st. Theine and caffeine, being considum, cod-liver oil, quinine, and iron were tried in vain, andered by chemists as the same alkaloid, on submitting

animals to their action, produce toxic acid of a different the rectum some phosphorized oil, and in this way the character. 2d. Caffeine is a more powerful toxic than vomiting-following phosphorized injections into the theine, and if the toxic effects of the former are re-stomach-was avoided. Every dog treated in this quired, the latter must be given in double doses. 3d. manner had icterus; biliary acids were found in the Convulsive movements of the limbs are produced by the urine. The bile did not flow continuously as before the administration of theine, which has not been noticed poison was given, during the icterus; some mucous from the action of caffeine. 4th. The physiological matter was mixed with it; the flow ceased entirely effects of theine and caffeine in other respects are the sometimes. The following conclusions are drawn from same. The heart and respiratory movements are ex- his experiments:-1st. True catarrhal icterus is idencited by both alkaloids, and the arterial tension is in- tical with the icterus seen in phosphorus poisoning. creased. The central nervous system, brain, and spinal 2d. The accumulation of a thick mucus in the small camarrow are stimulated by exciting the circulation; but nals causes the catarrhal icterus, so that biliary stasis the functions of the spinal cord and nerves are not arises, and is not due to the catarrh of the intestinal arrested by them. The stimulation of the spinal cord portion of the common bile-duct. 3d. When the chanby the action of these alkaloids, causes tetanic convul-nels leading to the hepatic duct and common bile-duct sions. The functions of muscle are not abolished by have become impermeable to bile, the latter is not found them; immediately after death the heart does not cease in these ducts. The bile flows more or less when all of to beat. these channels are not choked.

dark red appearance. Dyspnoea attends the disease, with recurring paroxysms of coughing. The cough is dry and whistling, with an absence of rales. Sputa is not discharged. A loud and tympanitic sound is discovered on percussion. A rough vesicular respiration, with a whistling sound, is detected on auscultation. These cases are unattended with fever. When symptoms of congestive hyperæmia come on, the disease proceeds rapidly to a fatal termination.

In the treatment of this affection, Dr. S. recommends the vapor of hot water, and alkaline mineral waters are useful to excite the normal secretion of the respiratory mucous membrane. Emetics seldom do good. He employs stimulants, as benzoin, liq. ammon. anisat., tinct. ferri acetat., and external rubefacients, to subdue severe asthmatic paroxysms and difficulty of respiration. NON-PENETRATING WOUND OF HEART; WOUND OF BOTH LUNGS; SOJOURN FOR THREE MONTHS IN THE THORACIC CAVITY OF A METALLIC SPIKE SIXTEEN CENTIMETRES LONG, AND TWO CENTIMETRES THICK.-M. Sillaux communicated (Gazette Hebdomadaire) the following observation to the Société Impériale de Chirurgie | at its meeting of 8th of April last. A man aged 55 years, afflicted with general paralysis, attempted suicide by plunging into his breast a long piece of iron. An examination of the thorax showed a wound situated five centimetres below the left nipple. At two centimetres beyond, and a lit le below this wound, there existed an energetic elevation of the skin, synchronous with the arterial pulsations; the finger applied to this point perceived the stroke of a foreign body. The left half of the thorax was emphysematous, and a large ecchymosis extended around the wound. The uneasiness of the patient precluded the practice of percussion. The sounds of the heart were regular and normal, the elevation of the skin by the piece of iron coincided with the systole of the ventricles. There was no evidence of liquid in the pericardium; nothing amiss with the abdominal organs; no sign of internal hæmorrhage. The pulse, slightly increased, was regular; and the temperature of the skin was not elevated. It seemed necessary, therefore, to conclude either the contact of the distant extremity of the foreign body with a large artery, or its penetration through the walls of the heart.

Under the impression that immediate extraction would be attended with more hazard than would result from delay, Mr. Tillaux awaited the morrow. But the instrument had worked through the tissues; an incision was made at its centre, the patient fainted, and it was deemed prudent to suspend the operation. Some days afterwards the patient announced an acute pain in the region of the eighth dorsal vertebra; the oppression was very great; there was expectoration of bloody sputum of a very red color; no signs of pneumonia. Ten days later, the painful point had settled itself at the posterior and inferior portion of the right side; no available sign could be determined by auscultation. The discomfort diminished little by little, the appetite returned, and the general condition improved.

In March 1868 (3 months after the attempt at suicide) the patient had frequent expectoration of bloody and purulent sputa. A blowing murmur could be distinguished at the base of the heart, with the first sound. Syncopes soon supervened, and the patient died on the

24th of March.

The result of the autopsy was as follows: The anterior border of the left lung was adherent to the thoracic wall and to the pericardium; the pericardium was adherent to the surface of the heart in its entire extent. The posterior wall of the left ventricle, and the inferior lobe of the right lung, were traversed from before backward, and from left to right, by an iron spike, which

had not penetrated into the cavity of the ventricle, nor
involved the auricles. The instrument, leaving the
aorta to the left, had passed between the vertebral col-
umn and the oesophagus.

ANIMAL QUINOIDINE.-Dr. Chalvet has repeated before
the "Société de Biologie," of Paris, some experiments
on efflorescence which appear to modify the conclusions
of Dr. Bence Jones, concerning this animal quinoidine.
It is known that Dr. Bence Jones, when making, in
1866, some researches as to the time required by certain
substances to disappear from the tissues, was much em-
barrassed in determining the question with regard to the
sulphate of quinia. To prove the presence of this salt in
the tissues, Drs. Bence Jones and Dupré conceived the
ingenious idea of examining acidulated solutions of the va-
rious tissues by means of the fluorescence produced by
the electric light. To the surprise of these experimenters,
they discovered the same fluorescence in animal tissues
that had not been injected with salts of quinine, as in
those substances which had been so treated; and they
finally concluded that there exists in the animal econo-
my, a substance capable of producing the same fluores-
cence as sulphate of quinia. Dr. Bence Jones supposed
this new alkaloid to be an albuminoid derivative, which
he placed between caseine and indigotine, and he ex-
pressed the opinion that this quinoidine plays an impor-
tant part in the phenomena of nutrition, acting as a
conservative agent and retarding organic combustion.
Dr. Chalvet has confirmed the facts announced by Dr.
Bence Jones, and demonstrated by his experiments that
there exists in the tissues a substance capable of pro-
ducing a fluorescence precisely similar to the phenom-
ena of refrangibility produced by sulphate of quinia.
He has also found that this fluorescence often disappears
in acute febrile affections; but he does not accept the
interpretation of Dr. Bence Jones, as to the origin of
this supposed quinoidine. He has demonstrated, in fact,
that this fluorescent substance exists in the majority of
aliments, especially in wine and in vegetables.
these researches he concludes that the supposed quinoi-
dine is not an albuminoid derivative; but that it is
introduced into the organism with the ingesta, and that
it mingles with our fluids and our tissues just the same
as iron does, but is not formed in our organs any more
than iron is.

From

This substance having the property of being rapidly eliminated by the secretions, we can understand how low diet somewhat prolonged may cause the fluorescence of the urine to disappear, and thus explain the supposed destruction of the quinoidine by the fever.

Dr. Chalvet is inclined to class this substance with quinine itself, which being thus produced in infinitesimal quantities in almost all vegetables, would afford an easy explanation of its presence in the tissues and fluids of all animals. This does not prove but that this substance, though existing in an extremely minute quantity, may not play an important part in the phenomena of life; for we know very well, that the mere presence of some atoms of a substance may develop, by catalysis, forces relatively of great power."-Gazette Hebdomadaire.

TREATMENT OF PYEMIA.-William S. Savory, F.R.S. (St. Bartholomew's Hosp. Reports), advocates the use of quinia, with free stimulation and careful nourishment, in cases of Pyæmia. He also states that "Pyæmia not only often occurs, as is well known, without the previous existence of any wound, but sometimes, so far as the most careful and complete examination can show, without any previous suppuration or any of the local mischief whatever." The rigors, or shivering, attendant on pyæmia, he believes are the sign of the operation of a poison in the blood.