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AN UNFORTUNATE PRESCRIPTION.
1045 concludes (a) that the stereognostic sense is due to a complex sensory perception starting in the parietal lobe of the brain and spreading thence into some higher centre (11 apperception centre"); (b) that peripheral disturbances in the nerves may lead to loss of isolated elements-tactile, the stereognostic sense; and (c) that the thermal, &c.-of higher "apperception centre" may also be disturbed in severe cerebral injury-e.g., apoplexy-and that in such cases the stereognostic sense may be lost even though all the individual sensations of skin and limb are preserved. The thesis is important and in view of the fact that experimental evidence goes to show that in dogs the tactile sensibility of the limbs is located in the area around the crucial sulcus (Luciani) and that the same area practically contains the memories of muscular movements (Hitzig); and, further, in regard to the fact that Bastian has brought the most cogent evidence for the "kinæsthetic"functions of the Rolandic area in man, and having regard also to the fact that local lesions of the same area produce errors of the sense of tactile localisation (Horsley), and that slight faradaisation of the same can give rise to cutaneous sensations and feelings of movements, referred to the hand, arm, &c. (Dana, Ransome), it follows that many functions are represented in the Rolandic area, and Dr. Sailer’s study serves to throw further light on the functions of this region of the brain the practical importance of which is undeniable in the diagnosis and study of cerebral disease. ___
A MEDICAL ARCHÆOLOGIST.
Weekly Star of March llth, contained " Liq. As." one’ and " Liq. Strychn." five drachms, together with water to make up six ounces, the dose being half a teaspoonful. It seems that prescriptions in theseterms were frequently written by Dr. Brennan and, made up on the company’s premises without ill, effects ensuing. Mrs. Robinson, however, was seized ounce,
with fatal convulsions and her death was attributed tothe dispenser having made up her medicine with alkaline. liquor arsenicalis instead of acid liquor arsenici hydro--chloricus, so that a sediment was formed consisting mainly of undissolved strychnia. The danger of such a combina-tion has already been pointed out in THE LANCET of’ Feb. llth, 1899 (p. 393), in an annotation relative to this case.. The trial took place before Mr. Justice Morice and a burgherjury, occupied five days, and terminated on March 8th in a verdict of acquittal. It was stated that the medicine was. made up by a legally qualified dispenser and on this ground the judge directed the jury that the accused was not responsible for the misuse of the alkaline solution. Of course, a charge of culpable homicide was quite out of proportion to the offence. The case was obviously one of misadventure to which the accused was an accessory, and it. painfully illustrated the obligation which rests on all prescribers to avoid the use of ambiguous abbreviations and teebe very precise when ordering poisonous drugs.
THE
PREVENTIVE TREATMENT OF BERI-BERI.
HAVING had occasion to observe at Chantaboun during* the month of September, 1898, an epidemic of beri-beri, short since it lasted only a few weeks, but intense since out of 260 tirailleurs forming the garrison it struck 53, causing 10 deaths, we saw it-whilst still at the height of its intensity, the two days preceding having given us ninenew cases-suddenly cease within 48 hours under the, influence of a modification of the alimentary regimen consisting in an abundant distribution of fatty matters to an entire group who did not consume any previously." Theforegoing is a literal translation of the opening paragraph. in an article which appears in the Archives de Medecine Navale for March, 1899, the author being Dr. L. Laurent, a. junior medical officer attached to the French army of occupa-tion in Siam. The presumption that fatty food is a prophylactic against the disease seemed to be strong but,, " A few, as it happened, further confirmation was at hand. weeks later at Poulo-Condore," continues Dr. Laurent,"asecond epidemic-very much longer and more serious sincein a year it had made upwards of 360 victims-ceased in thesame sudden fashion under the influence of a similar regimen when applied to the convicts in this penitentiary establishment by our comrade, Dr. Andrieux. In the one case as in the other from the moment the fat-containing regimen wasgiven to individuals still in health not a single fresh attack manifested itself among them and the epidemic could be° regarded as definitively terminated." It was from the lectures on exotic pathology which were delivered by Dr.Bremaud in 1892-93 that Dr. Laurent derived his inspiration. According to Dr. Bremaud beri-beri is a dyscrasia of alimentary origin, being due to the deficiency, partialAN UNFORTUNATE PRESCRIPTION. or complete, of fatty ingredients in the food, and, LAST October Dr. Fred. H. Brennan, a qualified medical occurring in hot climates much in the same way as scurvyman holding diplomas obtained in Ontario at least 12 years occurs in temperate regions when there is deprivation of ago and practising in Johannesburg, was arrested on a meat and fresh vegetables. Dr. Bremaud’s views were charge of culpable homicide. The allegation was that a purely theoretical, as he never had had the chance of practiMrs. Robinson had died from strychnia poisoning after cally verifying them ; but now (exclaims his disciple) they taking a mixture prescribed by him and dispensed by the’ have received "experimental consecration." Dr. Laurent, now extinct Speer Medical Company, of which he was however, is careful to add that he does not attribute anThe patient suffered from psoriasis and exclusive role to the deprivation of fatty matters in the medical officer. anæmia, and the prescription, as printed in the Joltannesburg genesis of beri-beri. Many factors have to be considered,. "
MR. JOSEPH STEVENS of Reading, who died in that town on April 7th at his residence in the Alexandra-road, was a good example of the successful combination of medical work with other fields of mental activity. Born in Berkshire in 1818 he studied medicine at the Middlesex Hospital, became qualified as M.R.C.S. Eng. in 1843, and as Ext. L.R.C.P. Lond.-and L.S.A. in 1844, and forthwith commenced practice in St.-Mary-Bourne, a village near Andover. The situation was an ideal one for an archaeologist, presenting opportunities which Mr. Stevens utilised by forming collections of palæolithic implements, neolithic implements, and fossils, which in course of time were deposited in the museum at Reading. He was, however, much more than a mere collector of curiosities. Imbued with a love of his subject and well acquainted with the results obtained by other workers in the same field, he was a frequent and valuable contributor to the literature of archoeology and natural history. His writings of this class include "Geological Notices of North Hampshire," "The Flint Works at Cissbury," "Discovery of Pit Dwellings at St.-Mary-Bourne," " Sarsens, Greywethers, or Druid Stones," and "Roman Remains recently discovered at Preston, Sussex." About twenty years ago he retired from practice and removed to Reading, where he held the offioe of curator of the local museum and made many further contributions to the literature of archaeology. Mr. Stevens was widely known and his death is lamented by numerous friends. His high reputation procured for him the membership of various scientific societies and he was moreover on the council of the British Archasologioal Association.
A MEDICAL ARCHÆOLOGIST.
Weekly Star of March llth, contained " Liq. As." one’ and " Liq. Strychn." five drachms, together with water to make up six ounces, the dose being half a teaspoonful. It seems that prescriptions in theseterms were frequently written by Dr. Brennan and, made up on the company’s premises without ill, effects ensuing. Mrs. Robinson, however, was seized ounce,
with fatal convulsions and her death was attributed tothe dispenser having made up her medicine with alkaline. liquor arsenicalis instead of acid liquor arsenici hydro--chloricus, so that a sediment was formed consisting mainly of undissolved strychnia. The danger of such a combina-tion has already been pointed out in THE LANCET of’ Feb. llth, 1899 (p. 393), in an annotation relative to this case.. The trial took place before Mr. Justice Morice and a burgherjury, occupied five days, and terminated on March 8th in a verdict of acquittal. It was stated that the medicine was. made up by a legally qualified dispenser and on this ground the judge directed the jury that the accused was not responsible for the misuse of the alkaline solution. Of course, a charge of culpable homicide was quite out of proportion to the offence. The case was obviously one of misadventure to which the accused was an accessory, and it. painfully illustrated the obligation which rests on all prescribers to avoid the use of ambiguous abbreviations and teebe very precise when ordering poisonous drugs.
THE
PREVENTIVE TREATMENT OF BERI-BERI.
HAVING had occasion to observe at Chantaboun during* the month of September, 1898, an epidemic of beri-beri, short since it lasted only a few weeks, but intense since out of 260 tirailleurs forming the garrison it struck 53, causing 10 deaths, we saw it-whilst still at the height of its intensity, the two days preceding having given us ninenew cases-suddenly cease within 48 hours under the, influence of a modification of the alimentary regimen consisting in an abundant distribution of fatty matters to an entire group who did not consume any previously." Theforegoing is a literal translation of the opening paragraph. in an article which appears in the Archives de Medecine Navale for March, 1899, the author being Dr. L. Laurent, a. junior medical officer attached to the French army of occupa-tion in Siam. The presumption that fatty food is a prophylactic against the disease seemed to be strong but,, " A few, as it happened, further confirmation was at hand. weeks later at Poulo-Condore," continues Dr. Laurent,"asecond epidemic-very much longer and more serious sincein a year it had made upwards of 360 victims-ceased in thesame sudden fashion under the influence of a similar regimen when applied to the convicts in this penitentiary establishment by our comrade, Dr. Andrieux. In the one case as in the other from the moment the fat-containing regimen wasgiven to individuals still in health not a single fresh attack manifested itself among them and the epidemic could be° regarded as definitively terminated." It was from the lectures on exotic pathology which were delivered by Dr.Bremaud in 1892-93 that Dr. Laurent derived his inspiration. According to Dr. Bremaud beri-beri is a dyscrasia of alimentary origin, being due to the deficiency, partialAN UNFORTUNATE PRESCRIPTION. or complete, of fatty ingredients in the food, and, LAST October Dr. Fred. H. Brennan, a qualified medical occurring in hot climates much in the same way as scurvyman holding diplomas obtained in Ontario at least 12 years occurs in temperate regions when there is deprivation of ago and practising in Johannesburg, was arrested on a meat and fresh vegetables. Dr. Bremaud’s views were charge of culpable homicide. The allegation was that a purely theoretical, as he never had had the chance of practiMrs. Robinson had died from strychnia poisoning after cally verifying them ; but now (exclaims his disciple) they taking a mixture prescribed by him and dispensed by the’ have received "experimental consecration." Dr. Laurent, now extinct Speer Medical Company, of which he was however, is careful to add that he does not attribute anThe patient suffered from psoriasis and exclusive role to the deprivation of fatty matters in the medical officer. anæmia, and the prescription, as printed in the Joltannesburg genesis of beri-beri. Many factors have to be considered,. "
MR. JOSEPH STEVENS of Reading, who died in that town on April 7th at his residence in the Alexandra-road, was a good example of the successful combination of medical work with other fields of mental activity. Born in Berkshire in 1818 he studied medicine at the Middlesex Hospital, became qualified as M.R.C.S. Eng. in 1843, and as Ext. L.R.C.P. Lond.-and L.S.A. in 1844, and forthwith commenced practice in St.-Mary-Bourne, a village near Andover. The situation was an ideal one for an archaeologist, presenting opportunities which Mr. Stevens utilised by forming collections of palæolithic implements, neolithic implements, and fossils, which in course of time were deposited in the museum at Reading. He was, however, much more than a mere collector of curiosities. Imbued with a love of his subject and well acquainted with the results obtained by other workers in the same field, he was a frequent and valuable contributor to the literature of archoeology and natural history. His writings of this class include "Geological Notices of North Hampshire," "The Flint Works at Cissbury," "Discovery of Pit Dwellings at St.-Mary-Bourne," " Sarsens, Greywethers, or Druid Stones," and "Roman Remains recently discovered at Preston, Sussex." About twenty years ago he retired from practice and removed to Reading, where he held the offioe of curator of the local museum and made many further contributions to the literature of archaeology. Mr. Stevens was widely known and his death is lamented by numerous friends. His high reputation procured for him the membership of various scientific societies and he was moreover on the council of the British Archasologioal Association.