288 Experiments on a few of the Mineral Waters of Canada. at right angles and their surface should be protected by a coat of varnish, in order to prevent unprofitable loss of the electric fluid -3. After the operation, ice should be applied to the tumour This is the first case on record of aneurism cured or even treated by this method, which has been of late employed in the treatment of a large number of diseases." "The coagulating influence of electricity on blood leads us to hope that it will be found as ad. vantageous in cxternal aneurism, and that Dr. Petrequin's case will not long remain a solitary instance of success." * For the practical application of this remedial agent in the treatment of aneurism, Dr. Petrequin is entitled to the gratitude of the profession, at the same time it is but right to bear in mind that the idea did not originate with him, for years ago, it has been suggested that galvanism might be applied to the important purpose of coagulating the blood within an aneurismal tumour, and thus removing the disease without resorting to the ligature." Should it prove as effectual in other hands as it appears to have been in the above case, it will form a new era in the treatment of the ordinary forms of aneurism, and I have no doubt can be made available in that of aneurism by anastomosis. Great St. James Street, February, 1946. EXPERIMENTS ON A FEW OF THE MINERAL By A. HALL, M.D., Lecturer on Chemistry, M'Gill College. A valuable mineral spring-valuable from its antacid properties dependant on the carbonates which it holds in solution-is met with in the neighbourhood of Berthier, a village situated at the mouth of the river of that name, and about 45 miles from this city, on the northern shore of the St. Lawrence. This spring has been known for many years back, and of such importance was it deemed, that in their deeds of concession the seignors have always held it in reserve. The spring is in reality situated on the river Bayonne, about four miles from Berthier, and at the distance of about 40 feet from its bank. The character of the country is here hilly, but the spring itself is seated on a level district. The soil is very clayey-the scenery beautiful. In June, 1843, I received some of this water for examination, which had been sent to me for that purpose. The following is the result of the experiments instituted upon it : I. Qualitative Analysis. completely soluble in nitric acid; affording evidence of the presence of carbonic acid in quantity. 4. Lime water when added, was attended with a similar result. A quantity of the water was now boiled, to ensure a deposition of those earthy salts which were held in solution by the carbonic acid, which after filtration afforded, with re-agents, the following results. 5. Nitrate of silver threw down a copious white precipitate soluble in ammonia. 6. The addition of chloride of barium was attended with no appreciable effect, thus indicating the absence of sulphuric acid. 7. Oxalate of ammonia threw down a white precipitate, which was oxalate of lime. 8. The addition of phosphate of soda, followed by carbonate of animonia, with ebullition, was not found to be productive of any effect, thus negativing the presence of magnesia. 9. Evaporation to dryness induced an appearance of minute crystallization. These crystals, when examined by the microscope, were cubes, and were doubtless chloride of sodium. The precipitate of earthy salts obtained by simply boiling the water was next examined. This precipitate was found to be wholly soluble in hydrochloric acid with effervescence. To the clear solution 10. Oxalate of ammonia was added, when a white precipitate ensued, denoting the presence of lime. 11. The liquid having been freed from lime by oxalate of ammonia, was tested by phosphate of soda, and carbonate of ammonia, and boiled. A copious white flocculent precipitate ensued, indicative of the presence of magnesia. to infer the presence of the following ingredients:From these qualitative experiments, we are permitted Experiment 2, 3, 4. Carbonic acid. 66 5. Chlorine. 1. Two fluid ounces were evaporated to dryness, with the precautions detailed in the analogous experiment on 1. Its specific gravity was determined to be 1.006569, the Varennes water. The solid residuum weighed 2. Upon turmeric paper no change was produced; S.9 grs. litmus was faintly reddened, its blue being restored by the application of a gentle heat, thus indicating the presence of a gaseous acid. 3. Barytic water caused a copious white precipitate, * Medical Times, vol. xiii. p. 147 and 148. ↑ Apjohn Cyclopædia of Pract. Med., Art. Galvanism. Sixteen fluid ounces were evaporated to four ounces. The earthy salts which precipitated were collected, and finally dissolved in hydrochloric acid. 2. To this solution oxalate of ammonia was added, and the oxalate of lime which fell, being collected and carefully dried, was found to weigh 3.82 grs. This was Carbonic Acid Gas free, ..... 8.88 grains. 289 0.22 cubic inches.... 3. After the precipitation of all the lime, carbonate of ammonia was added to the filtered liquor, afterwards phosphate of soda, and the whole submitted to gen-coustituents in the following proportions : The imperial gallon will accordingly contain these tle ebullition. The ammonio-phosphate of magnesia obtained weighed 11.53 grs., containing 1.695 magnesia, equivalent to 0.21 grs. for each two ounces of the water, giving us a proportion of 0.43 grs. of carbonate of magnesia. Carbonate of Lime,...... Carbonic Acid,.. 17.92 grains. 8.32 66 514.56 66 562.56 grains. 4. To half a fluid ounce of the concentrated water, which is the means of conferring solubility on the carnitrate of silver was added. The precipitate weighed, bonates which exist in the water, the presence of which after fusion, 19.65 grs., equivalent to 4.85 grs. of chlo-renders this mineral spring antacid to a high degree, rine for two ounces of the water. of water. and adapts it to cases in which such an indication, combined with a gentle purgative effect, may be demanded. CAPE DE LA MAGDELAINE CHALYBEATES. 5. One ounce as above was precipitated by oxalate of ammonia. The oxalate of lime, collected on a weighed filter, weighed nearly 0.5 grs., equivalent to 0.17 lime At Cape de la Magdelaine, near Three Rivers, and for the concentrated water experimented on, or 0.08 grs.not far removed from the St. Maurice Iron Works, are for every two ounces of the natural water, affording 0.05 to be met with a couple of the most valuable chalybeate grs. of calcium. springs in this Province. They were recognised, and 6. One half-ounce concentrated as above, after hav- their therapeutic virtues acknowledged, very shortly ing been first treated by oxalate of ammonia to precipi-after the settlement of this country during the time of tate all the lime, was then gently evaporated to dryness. the French, and have been honoured with more than a The cubic crystals which were thus obtained, weighed mere passing notice by Charlevoix in his History of 8.04 grs., equivalent to 3.19 grs. sodium, for two ounces Canada. Thus long known, and highly prized, I believe that at least two analyses of them have been undertaken, neither of which I have had the good fortune to obtain. In 1841 I received a quantity of these waters for examination from the late Dr. Kimber, who was proprietor of the property in which they were situated. Being ignorant of the existence of more than one spring, my experiments were conducted on the waters promiscuously, although the bottles were marked distinctly, but, (being unadvised on the subject) unintelligibly; for they were all packed together in one case, nor did I discover the error, until in the quantitative examination, finding it impossible to reconcile results which were continually varying, I mentioned the circumstance to Dr. Kimber, who informed me of the cause, but too late, as the stock of water was exhausted; nor have I since had it in my power to resume them. The following rough notes of their qualitative analysis, will serve, however, to indicate their constitution, and may serve as a guide for future experiments : 7. Two ounces of the water in its natural state were precipitated by barytic water. The precipitate consisted of carbonates of baryta, lime, and magnesia, and weighed in the aggregate 4.91 grs. Deducting from this the weight of the carbonates of lime and magnesia, which have been previously ascertained, will leave us 4.20 grs. as the weight of the carbonate of baryta, the earth being supposed to be in combination with the free carbonic acid of the water, the weight of which is thus ascertained to be 0.97 grs., equal to 0.22 cubic inches, at the accustomed atmospheric pressure and tempera ture. A trace of iodine was noticed in the water, but being exceedingly minute, its quantitative analysis was not undertaken. The quantities of the different constituents in two fluid ounces of the water, are thus ascertained to be as follows:: Carbonate of Lime, Chlorine, Calcium, Sodium, 8.80 grains. These were probably combined together in the following manner : Specific gravity, 1,00548. 1. Blue litmus paper unaffected. 2. Turmeric and red litmus altered in their colours. 3. Tincture of galls changes to a purple, gradually deepening in tint. 4. Ferrocyanide of potassium strikes a fine pale blue precipitate. 290 Periscope.--On the Structure of the Human Placenta. 5. Sulphocyanide of potassium induces no effect, thus indicating the iron to be in a state of protoxide. 6. Ferridcyanide of potassium, after the addition of sulphuric acid, changes the solution to a deep emerald green. 7. Oxalate of ammonia-white precipitate. 8. Barytic water-white precipitate. Although, as I have already remarked, from the unintentional error committed in using the two kinds of water for the experiments promiscuously, no very satisfactory evidence can be deduced as to the exact composition of either, yet the result tended to demonstrate that their saline impregnation was not strong. The solid constituency of the gallon amounted only to 184.6 grs., 9. Nitrate silver-copious white precipitate soluble in the chief proportion of which was chloride of sodium, ammonia. 10. After the addition of hydrochloric acid, and the precipitation of all the lime by oxalate of ammonia, the addition of carbonate of ammonia, followed by phosphate of soda or ammonia, produces an instant deposit. Twelve ounces of the water were now boiled, and reduced by evaporation to two ounces. This was subjected to the following tests: Experiments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10, were repeated without any effect being produced. Experiment 7, was attended with a precipitate. Experiment 10. To another portion starch and chlorine water were added, but no alteration in colour took place after 12 hours' rest. During the boiling a precipitate gradually formed at the bottom of the flask. This was collected, and after having been boiled in hydrochloric acid, to which a few drops of nitric acid had been added, properly diluted with water, was filtered. It was now tested in the following manner. The nitric acid was added to peroxydise the iron while the amount of protoxide of iron in the same quantity did not exceed 5 grains. These springs, however, are valuable chalybeates, and a good analysis of them is a desideratum. Montreal, January 6, 1846. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. STRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN PLACENTA. In giving an abstract of the following observations on the structure of the placenta by Mr. Goodsir, it will render the subject more intelligible to divide it into three heads, as adopted in the original memoir : 1st. Each placental tuft consists of a trunk, of primary is made up of the following parts. An external fine transbranches, and of secondary branches or villi. Each villus parent membrane. This membrane is common to the whole tuft, passing from one villus to another, and closely covered cells beneath this membrane, (external cells of the villus,) ing the free surface of each. A layer of flattened nucleathere and there these cells are grouped together into heaps, in the centre of which is a germinal spot, which is engaged in the constant formation of new cells. It seems probable that the internal aspect of this layer of cells is lined by a fine membrane, as in the case of the intestinal epithelium. Beneath these structures, and immediately surrounding the blood-vessels within the villus, is another still finer and more transparent, but firm and strong membrane (internal membrane of the villus). This is readily separable from the layer of cells described: the space between them is probably occupied by a peculiar fluid. Within this membrane are the blood-vessels of the villus, consisting of one or sometimes 11. Sulphocyanide of potassium-a blood red. 12. Ferrocyanide of potassium-a fine blue. 13. Ferridcyanide of potassium-a deep blue. 14. Oxalate of ammonia-a copious white precipitate. 15. After filtration from the last experiment, treat-two vessels, which form a simple or contorted loop occupyment by carbonate of ammonia and phosphate of soda yielded a copious precipitate. 16. This precipitate being digested in caustic potash ley, and saturated with hydrochloric acid, the addition of carbonate of ammonia induced a slight turbidness. From these experiments, the presence of the following ingredients is demonstrated Carbonic acid. ing the cavity of the villus; they are derived from the umbilical arteries and veins; they differ from capillaries in their large size, and from arteries and veins in preserving casionally passes from one to two or more villi, forming a the same mean diameter throughout: one such vessel ocloop in each, before it becomes continuous with a vein. Between these vessels and the internal membrane are some ternal cells of the villus. other cells, nucleated and highly transparent, called the in 2d. The substance of each tuft of the chorion is made up of nucleated cells of various sizes, containing a granular fluid. The surface of the tuft is covered by a fine membrane, which consists of flattened cells united by their edges. The free extremity of each villus of the tuft is bulbous, and consists of transparent cells arranged round a central germinal spot. These groups of cells are the active agents by which the villi grow. As gestation advances, and the allantois becomes applied to the internal surface of the chorion, blood-vessels become developed within the villi, which then communicate with the umbilical vessels. Thus, then, the villi of the chorion from the internal (or fœtal) portion of the placental villi, previously described, the loops of vessels, internal cells, and internal membrane of which have their origin in the villi of the chorion. 3d. When impregnation has taken place, the mucous Periscope. On the Absorption and Reproduction of the Heads of Bones. 291 membrane of the uterus becomes greatly developed; the fected in extra-uterine life by the absorbing chyle-cells of epithelial or cellular secretion of its follicles becomes aug- the intestinal villi. mented, and the vascular network occupying the outer fol- 5th. Hence the placenta discharges not only the functions licular spaces becomes increased in size and extent. By of a lung, but also of an intestinal canal to the fœtus.-(Anathis means a new layer or membrane is produced, the mem-tomical and Pathological Researches, by John and H. D. S. brana decidua, which consists of two portions, the thicken- Goodsir.)-- Ranking's Abstract. ed vascular mucous membrane and the non-vascular cellular substance secreted by the follicles. The former constitutes at a later period the decidua vera, the latter the decidua reflexa. As the (impregnated) ovum reaches the uterus, the developed mucous membrane or decidua begins to secrete, the os uteri becomes plugged up with a portion of the secretion, and the cavity of the uterus is filled with fluidaround the ovum this secretion consists of spherical nucleated cells, which possess the power of undergoing further development after being detached from the germinal spots or membrane of the secreting organ. These cells around the chorion of the ovum come to constitute the decidua reflexa. Thus the tufts of the chorion are imbedded in a mass of nucleat. ed cells, which cells are constantly being secreted from the follicles of the uterus, and which in all probability contain within them, as they become fully developed, the nutritive materials, which the absorbing cells of the villi of the chorion are constantly taking up for the nourishment of the ovum. This cellular secretion seems thus to be to the ovum of the mammal what the albuminous fluid is to the ova of oviparous animals. As the ovum increases in size, the amount of nutriment absorbed by the cells alone, is not sufficient for its wants; the allantois becomes applied to the inner surface of the chorion, and blood-vessels become developed within the tufts and villi. The vessels of the decidua vera at the same time enlarge and assume the appearance of sinuses encroaching on the space formerly occupied by the cellular substance of the decidua reflexa, in the midst of which the villi of the chorion, are imbedded. Thus the lining membrane of the vascular system of the mother becomes the external membrane surrounding the villi of the placenta. It lines the whole placental cavity, passing from tuft to tuft, and villus to villus, forming in this way threads and bands of venous membrane, which are tubular and filled with cells. These cells are continuous in the one direction with external cells of the placental villi, and in the other with the gelatinous cellular substance constituting the parietal portion of the placental decidua, which is in connection with the wall of the uterus. The central portion of the placental decidua consists of the external cells and external membrane of the placental villi. It appears from the above : 1st. That the placental tufts and villi are made up on the one hand by the tufts and villi of the chorion, comprising umbilical vessels, internal membrane, and internal cells; and on the other hand by the lining membrane of the maternal vascular system, with a layer of cells beneath it, com prising the external membrane and external cells-the first portion is peculiar to the fœtus, the latter to the mother. 2d. These external cells are the remains of the decidua reflexa; they are still continuous with the cellular substance of the parietal placenta, by means of the cells filling the tubular threads of venous membrane. 3d. The function of the external ceils is to secrete from the maternal blood (from which they are separated only by ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. EXPERIMENTS ON THE ADSORPTION AND REPRODUCTION OF THE HEADS OF BONES. By M. FLOURENS. M. Flourens read a note entitled as above. The fact which he attempts to explain, is the increase of distance between the extremities of bones during the longitudinal growth of their shafts. If we admit the ordinary theory of the growth of bones by extension, nothing is easier than the explanation of the fact in question. The two extremities of the bones become separated, because the body, the intermediate portion of the bone, is extended; but the extension theory is a groundless hypothesis. Bones do not grow because they are extended. They increase in thickness by superim-posed layers, they increase in length by juxta-posed layers. How is it, then, that during the elongation of bones by juxta-posed layers the heads of bones are absorbed and reformed, and always become more distant from each so long as the elongation of the bone goes on. That the fact is so is ascertained; M. Flourens has already proved the absorption, the reformation, the successive reproduction of the heads of bones, by experiments with madder; he also ascertained the mode of growth of bones during their elongation by inserting small nails in the bone, the bone grew in length, but the interval between the nails remained unchanged, hence the increase in length occurred beyond the nails. M. Flourens adopted the same method in studying the displacement, the separation, or better, the changes that occurs in the heads of bones during their successive absorptions and reproductions, and he now laid before the Academy, preparations of the bones experimented on. The tibia of a young rabbit was first exhibited, in which three nails had been inserted, one below three millimetres from the inferior epiphysis; a second above four millimetres from the superior epiphysis; the third at the level of the spine of the tibia. The experiment lasted twenty-two days. The bone, which, when the experiment commenced, was six centimetres long, had increased three millimetres when the experiment terminated. The entire increase of length had taken place beyond the nails. The nail which had been placed on a level with the spine of the tibia was now three millimetres distant from it, and as this nail had not changed its relative position to the two other nails, it was the spine of the tibia which had changed its place and been elongated from it. In a second experiment which lasted forty-six days, the the tibia was at the termination of the experiment thirteen nail which had been placed on a level with the spine of millimetres distant from it. Finally, in a third experiment, continued for seventy days, the nail was seventeen millimetres from the spine of the tibia. The spine-that is to say, the head of the tibia, becomes the external membrane) the materials of nutrition destined displaced more and more distant, the longer the experiment for the fœtus; this function is analogous to the digestive is continued, or to speak more accurately, it is incessantly one performed by the intestinal mucous membrane in extra-undergoing change. It is not one and the same head which aterine life. is displaced, but several different heads which are formed in succession to be absorbed and then reproduced. is then a complete mutation of bone during the entire period of its increase in length. The organ which produces the bone is the periosteum, and by it also it is absorbed. 4th. The function of the internal cells or those belonging to the fœtus is to absorb through the internal membrane the materials secreted from the maternal blood by the external cells. This matter is then taken up by the umbilical vessels and carried away for the nourishment of the fœtus. These internal cells perform a function analogous to that ef There The periosteum, which is nothing but the external medullary membrane, just as the medullary membrane is 292 Periscope. On the Operation of Hare-lip, simply the internal periosteum, enjoys, like the latter, the power of absorbing and depositing bone. SURGERY. ON THE OPERATION OF HARE-LÍP, BY MONS. PAUL DUBOIS. (Continued from p. 267.) It has been asserted that this operation, when practised on very young children, leaves after it as evident marks as when had recourse to at a more advanced age. I do not wish to exaggerate the importance of the facts I have brought forward, and of which you have all been witnesses, but this assertion appears to me opposed to truth, and had the Academy been able to watch the modifications undergone by the cicatrix in the two youngest of the three patients I brought before it, and to observe the verv rapid obliteration of the traces left by the operation, I am confident it would be of my opinion in regard to this matter. Lastly, I will examine the opinion advanced by Dupuytren in his lectures, that by operating for hare-lip, the mortality, naturally so great in the early period of life, is increased. I do not wish to misrepresent the importance and gravity of the operation in question, but I would only remark to the Academy that in none of the cases I have brought before it was the health sensibly interfered with; a trifling increase of temperature and a slight acceleration of the pulse was all that could be observed. Many operations analogous to mine have been performed, especially by M. Bonfils (de Nancy,) and in them the harmlessness of the operation was as evident as in my own; I admit that the objection of Dupuytren should not be overlooked, and on this subject I will remark that there is one thing which should not be forgotten, viz., that probably the mortality of infants affected with hare-lip is greater than that of others not so affected; in fact we know that this deformity is often ac. companied by other evident defects, and it is not impossible that it is often combined with defects with which we are not acquainted, although sufficient to compromise eventually the infant's life. Certainly the injurious consequences of these last would not be increased by the operation, and in divining their existence it should be done with considerable reserve. Still, taking Dupuytren's objection in its proper sense, we may, I think, make this legitimate concession to it, that where a child is very delicate, or born before the full term, we should delay operating for a few days, and always refuse to operate at periods when erysipelas, &c., follows operations on adults. If to the considerations which I have dwelt upon already, I add that the operation for hare-lip is exceedingly easy of performance, that the after treatment is also very simple, that union of the edges of the wound is ordinarily rapid and sure, that to all appearance the traces left by the operation are inversely as the interval elapsed since the birth of the child, that instruction is rendered more easy, and that separation of the bones, if any have existed, is more rapidly effaced, I believe that I have assigned quite enough of moLives to justify operating for hare.lip in infants a few days after birth. And yet I cannot help adding another consideration, which does not seem to have made sufficient impression on professional men who have occupied themselves with this important subject. Gentlemen, to a family from its intelligence or fortune occupying a certain rank in society, the birth of a child with so evident and disgusting a deformity as hare-lip is viewed as a severe misfortune. It is a never-failing source of annoyance and grief to the mother, increased every moment by the sight of the evil, and by the painful contrast of, perhaps, another child free from such an affliction. If the speedy performance of an opera. tion can change this painful state of mind and of the affections into one more happy, I believe that it is a real benefit superadded to the personal advantage accruing to the child. It will, doubtless, excite surprise that in so short a period of time I should have had occasion to operate on three infants for hare-lip. It is indeed a singular coincidence, of which I can mention one more recent and still more remarkable. From the 11th to the 19th of this month (May,) we have observed at the Hospital of the Clinique, where the number of accouchements is from 90 to 100 per month, one case of hare-lip, three of club-foot, one of complete absence of the hand, and one of supernumerary fingers. M. Husson.-Did not M. Dubois say that he would explain the greater frequency of hare-lip affecting the left side? M. Dubois.-No. I have not pretended to explain this pheno. menon. I only mentioned to the Academy the fact suggested by my cases, and which doubtless has before now attracted the at tention of my colleague, M. Roux, and of other surgeons. M. Roux. I have had occasion to see a very large number of cases of hare-lip, and I have met them at least ten times out of twelve at the left side. This is not peculiar to hare-lip, however, all deformities are more frequent at the left than at the right side, which perhaps may result from the relative feebleness of that side. The question raised by M. Dubois applies not merely to simple hare-lip, but also to double hare.lip. I was formerly opposed to operating inmediately after birth, but my opinion within the last fifteen or twenty years has very much changed. Being often compelled by circumstances to operate early, which I did with very great apprehension, I at length saw that the results in such cases were fully as favourable as at a more advanced age. Roux then gave the particulars of ten cases operated on by him during the previous year, in order to shew that accidents are as frequent after the operation performed late as when had recourse to early. He was in favour of operating immediately where there was double hare-lip, rendering suction difficult or impossible; but, fully admitting the moral influence on the mother of the sight of the deformity, he did not think there was any good ground for haste when the hare-lip was simple. Mr. M. Dubois was glad of an opportunity of supplying an omission which he had made from his apprehensions of being tedious. He had entirely abandoned the operations for double hare lip in very young children. In infants such as he spoke of, facility of execu. tion and despatch appeared to be the essentials to success, hence he had even abandoned the method of Malgaigne, which, in other circumstances, must be an improvement. But, continued 'M. Dubois, I wish to make another remark; I know of no sure and efficacious means of stopping hemorrhage but by bringing the whole of the edges of the wound into complete contact, and by making no wound but the paring of the edges of the lip. I never detach the lip from the gum in order to bring the edges into conIn every case that I have met with the natural extensitact. bility of the parts allowed coaptation to be effected without it, The bleeding surface resulting from the separation of the lip from the gum being but imperfectly applied against the gum, may, from the extreme vascularity of the gums, become a source of real dan. ger, and in very young children will only make itself known when beyond remedy.-Dublin Journal of Medical Science. ON ABSCESS OF THE TIBIA. I shall not make any introductory observations to the course of lectures which I am about to deliver, further than these-That on this, as on former occasions, I do not pretend to give any systematic course, but to select various subjects in which, I suppose, you will feel interested, and such especially as you will find to be of importance in surgical practice. If I do not enter into the consideration of abstract questions in physiology and pathology, it is not because I regard these subjects as unimportant, but because I think it still more important that in the few lectures which I shall deliver I should contribute as much as I can towards making you useful to the public and to yourselves as good practical surgeons. The subject that I shall take for the present lecture, is one of considerable interest, namely, the formation of abscess in the interior of the tibia. that they have the same apparatus of arteries, veins, nerves, I need not tell you that bones are organized like soft parts; and cellular tissue, and that they have superadded to these the unorganized phosphate of lime. Having the same tissues as the soft parts, they are liable to very much the same diseases, but then the characters of these diseases, their symptoms, progress, and treatment, are much modified by the presence of the unyielding earthy material which I have mentioned. Inflammation may take place in bones, as it does elsewhere; it may go on to suppuration, and abscess may form in their interior, as it does in the interior of other organs |