MR. SOLLY'S LECTURE.—IS SMOKING INJURIOUS?

phylaxis and Hygienics. These subjects are treated with more to bear testimony to the general truthfulness of the theory, to give you well-merited satisfaction. brevity than that of Pathology Proper; but we need not say but1 was called to see Mrs. H-, in labour of her first child, that they are nevertheless worthy of careful perusal. The pains continued on the evening of the 12th instant. the in the the Amongst points of novelty present edition, the night, and about eight o’clock the following mornthrough author’s remarks on cod-liver oil as a medicinal agent are of ing I found it necessary to administer chloroform, the pains especial value. No physician in this country has investigated were so agonizing. A large child was born by natural efforts the therapeutical action of this substance with more care, with at half-past nine A.M., in a state of complete asphyxia, and the head compressed. After dividing the cord, I proceeded greater acumen, or more extensively than Dr. Williams. The to greatly’method of establishing respiratory action. I turned try your he bears in its favour is and testimony strong unequivocal. °° The

(p. 486,)

present state of our knowledge," says Dr. Williams, " appears to justify the conclusion that cod-liver oil

is chiefly beneficial as an oil supplying a materialwhich enriches the blood, affords both combustive and nutritive elements, and penetrates throughout the tissues and deposits, softening their concrete fat, and rendering more supple their solid fabric. The superiority of cod-liver oil over other oils seems to consist in its easier digestibility by the stomach and chylopoietic organs, which is probably dependent on the bile and perhaps other ingredients which it contains. The nutrient properties of cod-liver oil have been proved by its increasing the proteinaceous constituents of the blood, except the fibrin, which is

diminished."

Dr. Williams adduces the testimony of his great experience in favour of the pure pale oil prepared in this country and Newfoundland. During the last ten years, he has prescribed it for nearly 9000 patients, and with such success that it was taken without material difficulty by 95 per cent. of the whole number; and of those who took it, fully 85 per cent. derived more or less benefit from it. It doubles, he says further, the duration of life in phthisis. Here we must close, albeit abruptly. We find that the deeply-interesting matter and style of this book have so far fascinated us, that we have unconsciously hung upon its pages, not too long indeed for our own profit, but longer than reviewers can be permitted to indulge. We leave the further analysis to the student and practitioner. Our judgment of the work has already been sufficiently expressed. It is a judgment of almost unqualified praise. The only feature in the literary execution which looks like a fault, is one which many will regard as evidence of the author’s merit as a friend. We observe that, when citing authorities, he appears to evince a marked partiality for the names of Gulliver, Alison, Carpenter, .Rokitansky, and a few others. He does this now and then where perhaps other physiologists may feel aggrieved. But upon this topic wewill not dwell. The work is not of a controversial, but of a didactic character. And, as such, we hail it, and recommend it for a text-book, guide, and constant companion to every practitioner and every student who wishes to extricate himself from the well-worn ruts of empiricisms, .and to base his practice of medicine upon principles.

THE

the child gently over on the face, rolled it over on the side, and a little beyond, using gradual pressure on the lateral aspect of the chest, back again to a prone position, and so on, ’ about twenty times in the minute. I did it thus frequently because infantile respiratory acts are more rapid than those of the adult. I dashed cold water on the face and chest, slapped the region of the diaphragm with the hand, &c. After some time the child began to show signs of respiratory power, feebly enough at first, but gradually becoming strong. I am persuaded this will soon supersede the other method, which I have always considered most unscientific and clumsy; but which, for want of a better one, I have hitherto adopted. Your method is most easily and readily performed; no time is lost in preparing a hot bath, &c., or in poking the stem of a tobacco-pipe, or the pipe of the bellows, into the child’s mouth -a most barbarous and uncertain way of inflating its lungs, and quite as likely to inflate its stomach instead. I leave it to your own feeling to publish this or not; you are at liberty to do so if you think proper. I am, Sir, yours truly, G. B. BARRON." Marshall Hall, M.D., F.R.S.

P. S.-I have the satisfaction of adding a fifth case of recovery in the still-born infant, I trust in time to be appended to my communication of yesterday. M. H. Dec. 22nd, 1856. Carlton-street, Nottingham, Dec. 21st, 1856. My DEAR UNCLE,-* ... **** Early this morning I attended a lady in her confinement. The presentation was a breech one, and there was much and unavoidable pressure upon the umbilical cord, which ceased to pulsate a quarter of an hour before the infant was born. When born the child was quite livid, without perceptible movement of the heart; indeed, to all appearance it was dead, and under ordinary circumstances I should not have entertained the slightest hope of its resuscitation. By adopting your method, I had the great satisfaction of seeing it fully restored to life in about twenty minutes, when it cried lustily, the nurse and friends being amazed at the result. Being the only son in a large family of daughters, the parents’ delight was proportionately great. I explained to the father that he had to thank you for a living "

son.

Believe me, my dear uncle, your affectionate nephew, MARSHALL HALL HIGGINBOTTOM." HiGGINBOTTOM."

Dr. Marshall Hall,

MR. SOLLY’S LECTURE.—IS SMOKING INJURIOUS? To the Editor of THE LANCET.

TREATMENT OF ASPHYXIATED NEWLY-BORN CHILDREN.

SIR,-I was much pleased with a lecture by Mr. Solly on Paralysis," reported in THE LANCET of the 13th inst., but I was a little surprised at the frightful picture which he drew of SIR,-I think it may be well to add the subjoined interesting the evil effects of smoking. case to those of Dr. Hadden, Mr. Waller, and Mr. Wedd. He says " he knows of no single vice which does so much cases of restoration of the and two four the still-born, Already Without wishing to advo catethe practice, harm as of drowned persons, in a state of hopeless asphyxia-hopeless I think itsmoking." is a debatable subject whether the effects of smoking under former modes of treatment-have occurred within a few are so very bad. I have spent some time in Turkey, where months ! tobacco is used far more extensively than in this country, and I am, Sir, your obedient servant, I never saw anywhere a greater number of hale old men than MARSHALL HALL. December, 1856. amongst the Turks-men who had been smoking from their childhood, and in greater quantities daily than is usual here. 1856. Dec. 15th, " Southport, It is true Turkish tobacco is milder and purer than the tobacco DEAR SIR,-Every one having a just appreciation of scien- used in and one is inclined to ask-Are the evil tific research, ought to make known the results of his expe- effects ofEngland, caused smoking by tobacco, or by the adulteration of rience bearing direct evidence upon the truthfulness of new that plant? discoveries. Hoping that this note may draw forth the opinions of others I feel sure no one will dispute that Science and Humanity whose experience may throw light on this important subject, owe much to you for the discovery of the new mode of treating I am, Sir, your obedient servant, asphyxiated persons, whether by drowning or otherwise. With J. A. M’DONAGH, M.R.C.S. Albert-street, Regont’s-park, this idea, I beg to forward the subjoined case to you, not only ltl66. December, 1856. To the Editor

of THE LANCET.

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