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MEDICO-BOTANICAL SOCIETY.
556
PHRENOLOGY.-POISONOUS CANDLES.
to perform the duties of medical super- to any peculiar views or philosophical aiiaintendent of the Lunatic Asylum of Mont- lysis of my own. To those who are acquainted with the doctrines of phrenology, rose. Seldom have we met with a volume, the extent of my obligations in this particuman
the work, will be diffidently put forth, so replete with lar case, and throughout and to those who are readily recognised; facts, containing matter so excellently com- still ignorant of these doctrines, I have to bined, so clearly stated, so interestingly and offer the assurance that insanity can neither be understood, nor described, nor treated, impressively conveyed, so humanely design- by the aid of any other philosophy. I have ed, so effectually calculated to achieve the long entertained this opinion; I have for many years put it to the test of experiment, legitimate objects of a resort to the truth- and I now wish to record it as my delibe. diffusing press. The work is filled with rate conviction. While, however, I have instruction ona most important subject, and constantly availed myself of the principles, the phraseology, of the appeals, irresistibly, to the benevolent sym- I have avoided because my original auditors science, first, pathies of the public, and is destined, we were not, and my readers may not be, phretrust, to be widely circulated and universally nologists ; and, secondly, and chiefly, be. cause object was not to advocate or read, for while much has lately been done promotemyparticular truths, but to employ and on behalf of the unhappy inmates of our apply these in the elucidation of the object lunatic asylums, much yet remains to be in view, and thereby to place in as clear, and conclusive, and acceptable a manner as accomplished. The volume contains 240 possible, the noble cause which I have un. pages of print, and may be purchased for dertaken." the trifling sum of five shillings. It is appropriately dedicated to Dr. A. CoMBE, of Edinburgh, chiefly" as an acknowledgment MEDICO-BOTANICAL SOCIETY. of the benefits which he has conferred on June 28, 1837.-Earl Stanhope, society by his application of phrenology in Wednesday, President. so
the treatment of
and nervous disDEATH IN THE CANDLE! which Mr.BRowNE makes eases," respecting MR. EYERITT detailed the results of sethe following remarks in his Preface :veral experiments, made with the view of the constituents of some " new ascertaining " I have no claim to originality, either in which have lately composition the design or the execution of the present been much candles," the public. His employed by production. A large portion of the volume attention had been called to the subject by refers to the past, and is necessarily occu- his detected a strong garlic odour having details : with historical that portion from the burning candles, similar to that pied which refers to the future I have, as scrugiven out during the combustion of metallic pulously as was practicable, collected and arsenic. He candles from various collated from the writings and opinions of vendors of procured after considerable them, and, others ; and when presenting a synoptical trouble, discovered a method by which he view of the different forms under which could collect a large quantity of the conmental disease may appear, I was indebted densed smoke given out during their burnrather to the science upon the principles of He broke off the bottom of a glass which that arrangement was founded, than ing. retort, with a very long neck, and placed the burning candle under it, the smoke * With this admission we do not agree, having to traverse the lengthened tube, was and, indeed, are surprised that its incon- deposited on its sides. On carefully colsistency with the following passage, in lecting this matter, and subjecting it to all Lecture 1., did not occur to the author :the most unequivocal tests for arsenic, that " Gentlemen :-The pages which I now metal was in every instance detected. The submit to the public, possess one quality quantity contained in each candle would, which many regard as a merit, but which according to the quantity collected by tiie I am inclined to think is a misfortune ; it is experimenter, be about two grains ; but in that of originality. No attempt, so far as consequence of the difficulty of preventing I know, has yet been made td condense, in the escape of a large quantity of the smoke, a plain, practical, and still popular form, he considered that double that quantity the results of observation in the treatment might be fairly inferred to be present. He of insanity, for the specific and avowed pur- supposed the makers of the candles used pose of demanding from the public an ame- the metal for the purpose of giving the canlioration of the condition of the insane." dles a better appearance, and to give them
insanity
557
It appears that the fucus is very plentiful higher melting point, and this had been acknowledged to him by a manufac- and cheap ; Mr. Previté, who was present, tnrer of them, as the fact, the arsenic being had brought over a large quantity to this a
since
excellent substitute for a small of wax, which answered the same purpose. Now, the question was to be de-
found
an
country.
quantity
cided, whether arsenic, burnt
or
in
a
CINCHONA TREEs.-A paper by Dr. HANquantity of COCK, respecting Peruvian bark, was comwas injurious. menced, but, owing to the lateness of the that one part hour, was not proceeded with; the portion
not this
room,
Experiments had shewn of sulphuretted hydrogen,
mixed with read, referred to the inutility and error of twenty-two thousand parts of atmosphe- dividing the’ cinchona trees according to the ric air, had instantly proved fatal to a form of their leaves; many travellers and
small bird that inhaled it. He (Mr. E.) should say that the vapours of metallic arsenic were fully as, if not more noxious, than those of sulphuretted hydrogen. Might not a dozen candles burning in a crowded room, be productive of danger? Dr. SiGMOND considered that they would be undoubtedly injurious, producing, pro.bably, the same results as if arsenic had been taken into the stomach.
residents in South America not being able to distinguish the difference by this mode of
diagnosis. RE-ADMISSION OF MR. BROWN TO THE FELLOWSHIP.—This eminent botanist was expelled from the society in 1828, in consequence of his having sent a letter to the council, which was considered offensive to the officers of the society. It has since been ascertained by the council that no kind of blame could in any way be attached to Mr. Brown, and that the statements made on the occasion of his dismissal by the then secretary, Mr. Frost, were not correct. Anxious to do justice, even at this remote period, the council felt anxious to rescind the proceedings of the general meeting in 1828; a motion to this effect having been moved and seconded, was carried unanimously, amid
NEW ESCULENT SEA WEED.-A paper was afterwards read by Dr. SIGJlJOND, respecting a new esculent sea weed, specimens of which have lately been brought from Calcutta by Mr. J. Previte, and which possesses nutritious properties to a much greater extent than Iceland moss, without containing the bitter principle which renders that weed so objectionable to many great applause. palates. It appeared from an analysis of This was the last meeting for the session. the new fucus made by Dr. O’Shaughnessy, The president considered the society and the talented professor of chemistry at Cal- the public were much indebted to Mr. cutta, that a jelly made from it contains Everitt for the trouble he had taken in his wax, gum, sulphate and muriate of soda, experiments. with 54 parts of starch in the 100 ; the learned Doctor therefore calls it the starch
fuclls. The Chinese employ this fucus in large quantities, forming with it a jelly, which,
mixed with sugar, is very
and refreshing. Large quantities of this fucus grow in the neighbourhood of Ceylon, and it is called the " Ceylon moss;" it has been much employed by the profession in Calcutta. Testimonials from a great number of eminent physicians and surgeons of that city, were read in favour of its virtues. The mode of preparing a jelly from it, which is fit for table use, and has the advantage of remaining firm under any temperature for twenty-four hours, is, by taking a table-spoonful of the moss and a pint and a half water, and boiling them for ten minutes, or longer, if it does not readily congeal. It is to be strained whilst warm. Some sugar, lemon juice, and peel are to be added, and it is fit for use. Specimens of the moss, and the jelly formed from it, were sent round. The fucus is small, white, and delicate; about two inches in length, and about the thickness of a sparrow’s quill. The jelly is quite equal to blccatc MKtKgc.
agreeable
SCHOLARSHIPS IN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.was stated by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, at the distribution of prizes on Saturday last, that the council had come to the determination of appropriating the :t:5,OOO lately bequeathed to the College by Mrs. for the establishment of four scholarships of R50 per annum each, to be held for four years, and to be adjudged to the most meritorious of the students. It
I, Flahel°ty,
THE CERTIFICATE SYSTEM.—As a fresh instance of the value of the certificate system, it may be mentioned that the gold prize in one of the classes of a large medical school, was this session awarded to a gentleman, who, it is well known, among his fellow pupils, did not attend one lecture on the subject during the session, having attained the prize by study in private !
Dr.
GRAHAM,
sity
of
Glasgow, has been
ap-
to the Chair of Chemistry in UniverCollege; vacant by the death of Dr.
pointed
TURNER.
PHRENOLOGY.-POISONOUS CANDLES.
to perform the duties of medical super- to any peculiar views or philosophical aiiaintendent of the Lunatic Asylum of Mont- lysis of my own. To those who are acquainted with the doctrines of phrenology, rose. Seldom have we met with a volume, the extent of my obligations in this particuman
the work, will be diffidently put forth, so replete with lar case, and throughout and to those who are readily recognised; facts, containing matter so excellently com- still ignorant of these doctrines, I have to bined, so clearly stated, so interestingly and offer the assurance that insanity can neither be understood, nor described, nor treated, impressively conveyed, so humanely design- by the aid of any other philosophy. I have ed, so effectually calculated to achieve the long entertained this opinion; I have for many years put it to the test of experiment, legitimate objects of a resort to the truth- and I now wish to record it as my delibe. diffusing press. The work is filled with rate conviction. While, however, I have instruction ona most important subject, and constantly availed myself of the principles, the phraseology, of the appeals, irresistibly, to the benevolent sym- I have avoided because my original auditors science, first, pathies of the public, and is destined, we were not, and my readers may not be, phretrust, to be widely circulated and universally nologists ; and, secondly, and chiefly, be. cause object was not to advocate or read, for while much has lately been done promotemyparticular truths, but to employ and on behalf of the unhappy inmates of our apply these in the elucidation of the object lunatic asylums, much yet remains to be in view, and thereby to place in as clear, and conclusive, and acceptable a manner as accomplished. The volume contains 240 possible, the noble cause which I have un. pages of print, and may be purchased for dertaken." the trifling sum of five shillings. It is appropriately dedicated to Dr. A. CoMBE, of Edinburgh, chiefly" as an acknowledgment MEDICO-BOTANICAL SOCIETY. of the benefits which he has conferred on June 28, 1837.-Earl Stanhope, society by his application of phrenology in Wednesday, President. so
the treatment of
and nervous disDEATH IN THE CANDLE! which Mr.BRowNE makes eases," respecting MR. EYERITT detailed the results of sethe following remarks in his Preface :veral experiments, made with the view of the constituents of some " new ascertaining " I have no claim to originality, either in which have lately composition the design or the execution of the present been much candles," the public. His employed by production. A large portion of the volume attention had been called to the subject by refers to the past, and is necessarily occu- his detected a strong garlic odour having details : with historical that portion from the burning candles, similar to that pied which refers to the future I have, as scrugiven out during the combustion of metallic pulously as was practicable, collected and arsenic. He candles from various collated from the writings and opinions of vendors of procured after considerable them, and, others ; and when presenting a synoptical trouble, discovered a method by which he view of the different forms under which could collect a large quantity of the conmental disease may appear, I was indebted densed smoke given out during their burnrather to the science upon the principles of He broke off the bottom of a glass which that arrangement was founded, than ing. retort, with a very long neck, and placed the burning candle under it, the smoke * With this admission we do not agree, having to traverse the lengthened tube, was and, indeed, are surprised that its incon- deposited on its sides. On carefully colsistency with the following passage, in lecting this matter, and subjecting it to all Lecture 1., did not occur to the author :the most unequivocal tests for arsenic, that " Gentlemen :-The pages which I now metal was in every instance detected. The submit to the public, possess one quality quantity contained in each candle would, which many regard as a merit, but which according to the quantity collected by tiie I am inclined to think is a misfortune ; it is experimenter, be about two grains ; but in that of originality. No attempt, so far as consequence of the difficulty of preventing I know, has yet been made td condense, in the escape of a large quantity of the smoke, a plain, practical, and still popular form, he considered that double that quantity the results of observation in the treatment might be fairly inferred to be present. He of insanity, for the specific and avowed pur- supposed the makers of the candles used pose of demanding from the public an ame- the metal for the purpose of giving the canlioration of the condition of the insane." dles a better appearance, and to give them
insanity
557
It appears that the fucus is very plentiful higher melting point, and this had been acknowledged to him by a manufac- and cheap ; Mr. Previté, who was present, tnrer of them, as the fact, the arsenic being had brought over a large quantity to this a
since
excellent substitute for a small of wax, which answered the same purpose. Now, the question was to be de-
found
an
country.
quantity
cided, whether arsenic, burnt
or
in
a
CINCHONA TREEs.-A paper by Dr. HANquantity of COCK, respecting Peruvian bark, was comwas injurious. menced, but, owing to the lateness of the that one part hour, was not proceeded with; the portion
not this
room,
Experiments had shewn of sulphuretted hydrogen,
mixed with read, referred to the inutility and error of twenty-two thousand parts of atmosphe- dividing the’ cinchona trees according to the ric air, had instantly proved fatal to a form of their leaves; many travellers and
small bird that inhaled it. He (Mr. E.) should say that the vapours of metallic arsenic were fully as, if not more noxious, than those of sulphuretted hydrogen. Might not a dozen candles burning in a crowded room, be productive of danger? Dr. SiGMOND considered that they would be undoubtedly injurious, producing, pro.bably, the same results as if arsenic had been taken into the stomach.
residents in South America not being able to distinguish the difference by this mode of
diagnosis. RE-ADMISSION OF MR. BROWN TO THE FELLOWSHIP.—This eminent botanist was expelled from the society in 1828, in consequence of his having sent a letter to the council, which was considered offensive to the officers of the society. It has since been ascertained by the council that no kind of blame could in any way be attached to Mr. Brown, and that the statements made on the occasion of his dismissal by the then secretary, Mr. Frost, were not correct. Anxious to do justice, even at this remote period, the council felt anxious to rescind the proceedings of the general meeting in 1828; a motion to this effect having been moved and seconded, was carried unanimously, amid
NEW ESCULENT SEA WEED.-A paper was afterwards read by Dr. SIGJlJOND, respecting a new esculent sea weed, specimens of which have lately been brought from Calcutta by Mr. J. Previte, and which possesses nutritious properties to a much greater extent than Iceland moss, without containing the bitter principle which renders that weed so objectionable to many great applause. palates. It appeared from an analysis of This was the last meeting for the session. the new fucus made by Dr. O’Shaughnessy, The president considered the society and the talented professor of chemistry at Cal- the public were much indebted to Mr. cutta, that a jelly made from it contains Everitt for the trouble he had taken in his wax, gum, sulphate and muriate of soda, experiments. with 54 parts of starch in the 100 ; the learned Doctor therefore calls it the starch
fuclls. The Chinese employ this fucus in large quantities, forming with it a jelly, which,
mixed with sugar, is very
and refreshing. Large quantities of this fucus grow in the neighbourhood of Ceylon, and it is called the " Ceylon moss;" it has been much employed by the profession in Calcutta. Testimonials from a great number of eminent physicians and surgeons of that city, were read in favour of its virtues. The mode of preparing a jelly from it, which is fit for table use, and has the advantage of remaining firm under any temperature for twenty-four hours, is, by taking a table-spoonful of the moss and a pint and a half water, and boiling them for ten minutes, or longer, if it does not readily congeal. It is to be strained whilst warm. Some sugar, lemon juice, and peel are to be added, and it is fit for use. Specimens of the moss, and the jelly formed from it, were sent round. The fucus is small, white, and delicate; about two inches in length, and about the thickness of a sparrow’s quill. The jelly is quite equal to blccatc MKtKgc.
agreeable
SCHOLARSHIPS IN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.was stated by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, at the distribution of prizes on Saturday last, that the council had come to the determination of appropriating the :t:5,OOO lately bequeathed to the College by Mrs. for the establishment of four scholarships of R50 per annum each, to be held for four years, and to be adjudged to the most meritorious of the students. It
I, Flahel°ty,
THE CERTIFICATE SYSTEM.—As a fresh instance of the value of the certificate system, it may be mentioned that the gold prize in one of the classes of a large medical school, was this session awarded to a gentleman, who, it is well known, among his fellow pupils, did not attend one lecture on the subject during the session, having attained the prize by study in private !
Dr.
GRAHAM,
sity
of
Glasgow, has been
ap-
to the Chair of Chemistry in UniverCollege; vacant by the death of Dr.
pointed
TURNER.