TREATMENT OF NÆVUS BY ADHESIVE OR SUPPURATIVE INFLAMMATION.

420 tervals of about four days. It is somewhat less florid, and not the least diminished in circumference." I now determiued to endeavour to institute the adhesive or suppurative inflammation in it, and therefore covered the entire surface with a thick layer of the following ointment, which I ordered to be continued night and morning:-Potassiotartrate of antimony, two grains; spermaceti, eight grains: mix. "15th.-In four days there was, in one part of its circumference, a small secretion of matter; the remainder had its usual appearance. Potassio tartrate of antimony, four grains; spermaceti, eight grains: mix, and apply night and morning. "2 2 th. -In five days more the whole of its surface was supplanted by a large pustule, elevated, full of dark-yellowish To the Editor Qf THE LANCET. matter, and nearly twice the size of the original nævus, of be distinguished. SIR,-Having known Mr. Pierpoint for the last ten years as which there is not a trace to "31st.-In eleven days more the surface consisted of a dry, a neighbour and a friend, I can conscientiously speak as to his abilities. I believe him to be both an experienced and able hard, elevated scab, the circumference of which was becoming was ordered to be applied night and practitioner, and no one can rejoice more than myself at the loosened. A riceinpoultice three days more (Nov. 3rd), detached the result of a trial which, in my opinion, ought never to have morning, which, leaving a clear, level, smooth, and healthy surface be-taken place; as from what he has told me, and from my own destitute of all trace of nævus or disease. neath, in as I do experience midwifery practice (attending large np" About half an inch from the situation of the above, there wards of two hundred cases annually), I cannot see that he could have acted differently than he did towards his patient- is another incipient nævus. This was removed by the mere of the ointment without puncture, a pustule and doing only what every right-thinking person, placed in the application crust following." would have same position, done. Since then 1 have had opportunities of treating three or four There is one thing strikes me, and I should like to hear if other cases in adults. In each the cure has been perfect, not other has same in his met with the any practice. practitioner I think that the death of the child was attributed to Mr. Pier- even leaving a scar to indicate the seat of the morbid growth. of the ointpoint’s neglect. Is it not much more likely to have been from But adults require a slight additionofto the strengthfive to eight antimony, the three doses of ergot stated to have been administered to ment-namely: potassio-tartrate the patient on Friday ? The cases in which I administer the grains ; spermaceti, eight grains. the essentials for success are merely these, as far ergot average about three per cent.: in some of them it acts as II believe have had the opportunity of observing:noticed in not at 1 have several all. And others, speedily; lst. To puncture the entire surface and base thoroughly. times that where ergot has been given, but has not acted as To cover (not merely smear) with a thickness of about expected, the child has been still-born; and it has not been one2nd. sixteenth of an inch the entire surface with the ointment, clear had to mind whether the has not somemy quite ergot as to enable it to soak into and thoroughly permeate the tning to do with it, as there has been no ether assignable cause so to account for it. I have therefore given it of late as a last diseased structure. Not to interfere with the scab, but allow it to crust off resource only. Mr. Pierpoint tel!s me that the loss of a dear wife and as in ordinary cases of pustule (although in the first instance I three children within the last two years was a severe blow poulticed it). Although opportunities have not presented themselves tome, to him ; but the anxiety and trouble of the last four months readily conceive that the above respecting this case can be better imagined than described. It having been much abroad, I can at the circumference, be made by may, commencing principle has made a difference of ten in his certainly years appearance. I trust he will meet with many sympathizing friends who will subservient to the successful treatment of much larger growths, both of this kind and of others of a. different nature. come forward and add their mite to the noble subscription you I am. Sir. vour obedient servant. have so kindly opened on his account. I beg to enclose STRICKLAND KINGSTON, M.D. and remain, Sir, yours &c., guinea towards the same, Clapham-common, March, 1862. JAS. HADAWAY, L. J-k-,. L.R.C.P. R. C. P. Edin. Berwick-street, April, 1862. such a manner. If Mr. Pierpoint had lost the action, he must have been a ruined man-professionally; and now, having gained it, he will be a heavy pecuniary loser. I feel sure that every brother in the profession will rejoice to testify, in a substantial manner, his appreciation of the principle which has actuated Mr. Pierpoint throughout, and beg to hand you my contribution of £10 10s., which I should feel obliged if you would acknowledge by inserting this in your neyt impression.-I nm Sir, vonrs obediently GEORGE OVEREND DREWRY, M.D. Silver-street, Nottiiig-hill, April, 1862.

public in

flatter, but

scab,

my

To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,- Will you permit me to state that I am not the Dr. Duncan alluded to in the late trial at Kingston. It is my opinion that medical men cannot expect to be properly appreciated by the public, when they appear to be, as in the above instance, so unfriendly one to the other. BVe should always remember that " unitv is strength." I remain, Sir, yo.irs ohecliently, THOMAS DUNCAN, M.D. Castle-terrace, Richmond, Ap 1, 1862.

TREATMENT OF NÆVUS BY ADHESIVE OR SUPPURATIVE INFLAMMATION. 1’o the Editor of THE LANCET. SlR,-I find, in recent numbers of your journal, interesting These bring cases of the treatment by incision of small nævi.

a few cases which i have tiea-ted snccessfully on a different principle. So long ago as in 1836 I was led to adopt the practice from the following case (abbreviated from my

to my mind

case-book) :Sept. 26th,

" 1836.-Mrs. G-’s infant, ngeri three months, has on its vertex a small nævus, about the size of a pea, elevated and circular, of bright-crimson hoe, becoming somewhat pale on pressure, but on its withdrawal resuming its former complexion. It is represented as having been some weeks ago barely the size of a pin’s head, but as having latterly increased rapidly. With a fine acupuncture needle 1 transfixed its base in opposite directions and freely’punctured the entire surface. About half a teaspoonful of bright-scarlet blood was discharged. Pressure with lint and astringent lotion applied. " Oct. llth.-It has been well punctured four times, at in-

COUNCIL OF THE COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. 1’0 the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-In THE LANCET of the 12th inst. I observe a statement to the effect that it is the intention of my friends to put me forward as a candidate for one of the councillorships of the College of Surgeons at the next vacancy. I shall feel obliged by being allowed to state in your journal.! that, with every feeling of respect for the wishes and of sympathy with the views of those gentlemen who desire to place me in so honourable a position, it is not my intention to become a candidate for one of the offices in question on the occasion of its becoming vacant this year. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, JOHN Cavendish place, April, 1862. JOHNERICHSEX,F.R.C.S.. ERICHSEN, F.R.C.S.

OVARIOTOMY. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SlR,--The following case ofmultilocular ovarian dropsy, and. in which ovariotomy was performed, may be worthy of notice. I have, therefore sent it for insertion:-E. T-, aged twenty-seven, married, sent for me on the llth of November last, late at night. She was suffering from intense pain and swelling on the right side. 1 was wantecl elsewhere and had not time to make a careful examination,. and merely gave her an opiate, which rendered service. On the following morning I saw her again, satisfied myself of the nature of the disease, and sent her into the Middlesex Hospital, under the care of Dr. Priestley, who coincided with me s to the nature of the mischief, and shortly performed the operation of tapping. She made a good recovery; but being a. young woman of shrewd intellect she managed to wring from.