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PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. TUESDAY, MARCH 6TH, 1855.
292 the dubitative form. He possessed no positive data on the subject, and had only mentioned that the following question was well ivorthy of being worked out-viz., whether vaccine infant could convey the disease lymph taken from a to another. He (Mr. de Mêric) would be inclined to think that such contamination was not possible, as the symptoms of hereditary syphilis were generally of the secondary kind. He (Mr. de Meric) leaned to the opinion that the syphilitic diathesis grew weaker with time. He was glad to be informed by Dr. Willshire, whose experience in the treatment of children was very large, that mercury may sometimes considerably chafe the skin. He agreed with the speaker, that the greatest caution was necessary in diagnosing hereditary syphilis; and that further investigations were required to test the truth of the doctrines set forth by Dubois and others respecting the syphilitic origin of the pemphigus of infants, the abscess of the thymus gland, the morbid changes of the liver and lungs. He would fully agree with Mr. Dendy, that a child should not lightly be pronounced syphilitic; and he (Mr. de Meric) thought likewise very highly of such tonics as the syrup of iodide of iron, recommended by Mr. Dendy, in infantile syphilis. The case brought forward by Mr. Cooke had much analogy with one which he (Mr. de Meric) had cited, and he was glad to find his views so thoroughly corroborated. The PRESIDENT, on leaving the chair, took an opportunity of thanking the fellows for the manner in which they had supported him during the past session. It was gratifying to him that he had had no dissension with a single member of the
syphilitic
Society. (Loud cheers.)
I
arduous duty-that of endeavouring to advance medical science. We are all agreed that the medical profession does not hold that position in the country that we should wish. There are many reasons for this, some of which were very ably treated by Mr. Clarke in his late Oration; but the chief reason, in my opinion, is, that the science of medicine itself is not in the position in which we could wish to see it. The imperfection of the science is not the fault of medical men, but arises from the difficulty of the subject. That the profession of medicine has not been deficient in men of ability, is proved by the circumstance that many of the most successful cultivators of all the natural sciences have been medical men. The great Linnaeus was a physician, and published an interesting inaugural dissertation on agues. We cannot suppose that he would have abandoned so important a science as medicine if he had felt himself able to give the same clear descriptions and classifications of diseases and their treatment that he was able to make of plants and animals. Sir Humphrey Davy was a medical man, and left medicine to become one of the greatest chemists who ever lived; but I have no doubt that he did more service to medicine, by his discoveries in chemistry, than he could possibly have done by remaining within the ranks of the profession. There is a right time for the advancement of every science. Medicine could not approach to perfection till the collateral sciences were first advanced ; but the time has probably now arrived when medical science may advance in the same rapid manner that chemistry has advanced within the last seventy or eighty years. I have the confidence of some fellows of this Society, men of hope, energy, and perseverance, who consider that we are on the eve of great discoveries in medicine, and I hope they will liveto I do not mean that we shall see their anticipations realized. find a cure for every disease, but that we shall have a rational knowledge of it, and know what to expect from treatment. Some parts of medical science have already attained a great
THURSDAY, MARCH 8TH. ANNIVERSARY MEETING. The anniversary meeting was held at the Albion Tavern on amount of certainty; for instance, surgeons are all agreed rethe 8th inst., the President in the chair. The following specting the proper treatment of fractures and dislocations; gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the ensuing session :- they know what to expect from treatment, and if they are President: J. Snow, M.D.- Vice-Presidents: I. B. Brown, disappointed, they can generally explain the reason why. The Esq. ; W. Coulson, Esq. ; C. H. F. Routh, M.D.; W. Smiles, result of this is, that the whole tribe of ignorant bone-setters M.D.-Treasurer: H. Hancock, Esq.-Librarian: W.A. Har- have disappeared, or, at all events, they practise only amongst rison, Esq.-Honorary Secretaries: E. Smith, M.D., LL.B.;; the most uneducated of the population; and when the nature C. H. Rogers Harrison, Esq.; T. Davidson, M.D., (Foreign.)- and treatment of diseases becomes equally well, known, it will Council: W. Aclams, Esq.; J. Bishop, Esq., F. R. S.; J. F. be impossible that intelligent persons should submit to be Clarke, Esq.; C. Cogswell, M.D. ; J. B. Daniell, M.D.; V. de; treated with globules of sugar of milk, having the name of Meric, Esq.; A. B. Garrod, M.D.; G. D. Gibb, M.D.; F. W. medicine attached to them, and nothing else. If the profesHeadland, M.B.; A. Henry, M.D.; F. Hird, Esq.; H. Lee, sion should then not have quite the position in society that we Esq.; F. W. Mackenzie, M. D. ; J. Propert, Esq.; C. B. Rad- could wish, it will, at all events, not be placed beneath the cliffe, M.D.; B. W. Richardson, M. D. ; W. B. Ryan, M.B.; S. other professions; and we shall not see the civil engineer and Stedman, Esq.; J. S. Stocker, M.D.; J. M. Winn, M.D.-the chemist placed over the medical man, in matters which Orator: B. W. Richardson, M.D. belong exclusively to his own profession. This Society holds a The Oration was delivered by Mr. J. F. Clarke. The Silver meeting on the second Monday of every month for the reading Medal of the Society was presented, with a suitable address, and discussion of physiological papers. Many interesting to Dr. Cogswell, for services rendered to the Society. The, and important papers have already been furnished, and we fellows, to the number of seventy, afterwards dined together. may expect the greatest benefit to medical science from this part of the Society’s proceedings; for physiology is the basis of both pathology and therapeutics. In conclusion, I have to beg your support during the coming session, by your attendance, SATURDAY, MARCH 10TH. and the furnishing of papers and other contributions to the proDR. SNOW, PRESIDENT, IN THE CHAIR. ceedings. I trust that the Society will continue to advance as After the usual votes of thanks had been given to the, rapidly as it has lately done; and, whilst no effort shall be retiring officers of the Society, the newly-elected President,, wanting on my part to aid the progress of the Society, I beg Dr. Sxow, addressed the meeting as follows:your kind indulgence for any want of ability you may meet Whether I look back on the great men who have held thiss with in me. chair before me, or look around on the number of eminent5 A paper was afterwards read, by Mr. HUNT, on the members of the profession who at present belong to the Society, "Furunculoid Epidemic." As the substance of this communiI am equally impressed with the importance of the honour you cation appeared in THE LANCET two years since, it is unneceshave conferred on me in electing me to the office of President. sary to give an abstract of it on this occasion. A discussion On reflection, I am led to the conclusion that the office has beeni ensued. given to me, not so much for any general merits I possess, as for my long attendance at the Society and devotion to its intePATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. rests ; but, on whatever grounds the honour has been awarded, I feel it is one of the greatest distinctions which can be conTUESDAY, MARCH 6TH, 1855. ferred on a medical man. Fortune is peculiarly fickle in our MR. PARTRIDGE IN THE CHAIR. profession. Honours and emoluments are not always awarded in proportion to merit; and, therefore, the distinctions conferred on a medical man by members of his own calling are MR. HUTCHINSON exhibited a specimen of extremely valuable. Many a medical man toils hard and waits INDURATED PREPUCE (?) MISTAKEN FOB CHANCRE, long before he meets with much reward from the public, but it is a consolation and an encouragement to him to meet his fel- which had been removed from a man, thirty years of age, who low-practitioners, by whom he is judged by his intrinsic merits, had been ten years married; there were no symptoms or any and not by those outward evidences of success by which the appearance of recent syphilis, but the patient had syphilis bepublic are too apt to decide. Nothing, therefore, tends more fore marriage, for the cure of which he was under treatto keep up a high tone of honourable feeling in the profession ment six weeks. The induration was in area about an inch. than societies like this. We meet together to perform an The case was under treatment by Mr. Lawrence and Mr. .
-
,
-
,
,
I
293 Holmes Coote. Mr. Lawrence looked on it as primary vene- WESTERN MEDICAL AND SURGICAL SOCIETY real sore, for which mercury was prescribed; under its use the OF LONDON. induration was getting softer, but the remedy was taken irreMr. on the case as but looked in convenereal, gularly. Paget FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH, 1855. equence of having some doubt on the point, recommended its DR. CAHILL, VICE-PRESIDENT, IN THE CHAIR. ranoval, which was accordingly done. Under the microscope, tlere were no appearances of a malignant character. DR. FIKCHAM read a paper Mr. PARTRIDGE was of opinion that it was decidedly syphiON CHOLERA. litic, as well from the history of the case as the appearance of the specimen. He commenced by stating that his experience was gained Mr. HUTCHINSON had every confidence in the patient’s moduring the first and third weeks of rality, besides being married; and, therefore, doubted its syphi- marking the climax and the decline of September-periods the epidemic. This litic character. He believed that the primary sorein the forpreliminary statement he considered necessary and fair, mer attack was indurated. because, in this late epidemic, as in all preceding ones, the Mr. HUTCHINSON also exhibited cases occurring at the decline were generally of a milder chaA rIBRO-CELLULAR TUMOUR, racter than those during the access or climax of the outbreak. taken from the prepuce of a child who had congenital phimosis. The author then proceeded to state, that the leading plans of The tumour was circumscribed, but adhered firmly to the pre- treatment proposed might be classified thus: 1. The antidotal, puce and left corpus cavernosum. The origin of the tumour was including Dr. Stevens’ saline plan. 2. The astringent. 3. The 4. The stimulant. 5. The said to be the pulling of the prepuce by some companions of eliminative, by castor oil, &o. the child. empirical, in which there was an administration of various substances, not apparently having any recognised remedial Mr. ASHTON exhibited a specimen of I relation between the drug and the symptoms; in this class he IMPEBFORATION AXD MALFORMATION OF THE RECTUM, included the by the administration of calomel. 6. This taken from a child five days old, which, when born, had class included plan the use of mustard emetics, to rouse the flagging The all the appearance of being strong and healthy. of the system, and the application of heat externally, child took the breast readily at first, but the act of suck- powers to excite the circulation. The author then proceeded to the ling was shortly followed by vomiting. After the third detail of his own experience in the treatment of the disease, day, this recurred as soon as nourishment entered the sto- and stated that forty-four cases of undoubted cholera were mach. On the fifth day Mr. Ashton was requested to see treated by him in the Westminster Hospital. Twenty-four of the child, in consequence of the foregoing symptoms, and no these were ina state of collapse, in fifteen collapse was imtaken anum. The abdomen was evacuation having place per and in fivethe symptoms were very slight. Of these, pending, much distended and tympanitic; slight pressure gave pain and of thirty-nine cases of true cholera, twenty recovered, and caused the child to cry violently; no hardness or increased size nineteen of recoveries as nearly as possible died-an of the abdomen be of in any part could detected indicative the similar to that met average with in other hospitals. However, five of seat of obstruction. The anus was perfect; but, on introducing these recovered from complete collapse. All these cases had a the finger, it was arrested three quarters of an inch from its warm bath on and this was repeated for two or admission, orifice; no bulging of the orifice could be felt, the anal cul de three times, if necessary. Mustard was applied to the sac being carried upwards into the cavity of the abdomen when in most of the cases, and ice given ad libitum. epigastrium pressure was excited. Operativeprocedure was rendered in- The first four cases, on admission, had an emetic of salt and expedient by the absence of all indication of the termination of mustard, followed by the administration of diluted sulphuric the intestine. The child died on the seventh day of its age. with chloric ether; they were all in a state of confirmed On post-mortem inspection, the small intestines, distended acid, and all died, without any attempt to rally. The collapse, with flatus, were found occupying the left and anterior portion next three cases were treated with castor oil and occasional of the abdominal cavity; the colon was normal as far as its doses of calomel; two recovered, and one died. The next which was the intestine revery short, descending portion, fourteen cases were treated with calomel, (five grains every crossing to the right side, and then terminating in a dilated quarter or half-hour,) and if the rice-water evacuations conpouch, distended with meconium, which reached to a little tinued, and were copious, half a drachm of diluted sulphuric below the crest of the ilium, and from thence was connected acid was added to the treatment; of these, eight cases of with the anal cul de sac by a membranous prolongation. On extreme and one recovered; and five of impenddied, collapse opening the intestine, it was found to be perfectly impervious. ing collapse recovered. All the foregoing cases occurred in the Had anv operation been practised, or thrust been made with a first week of September, 1854, when the epidemic was at its trocar, the peritoneal cavity and small intestines would have height. During the week beginning the 13th of September, been wounded, but the large intestine could not have been cases were admitted: of these, eleven recovered, and eighteen reached. seven died. All were treated uniformly, beginning, as before, Mr. PARTRIDGE.-What was the distance between the two with the hot bath and emetic, followed by the use of calomel parts of intestine ? in two-grain doses, every quarter of an hour, until the sympMr. ASHTON.-More than one inch. toms were ameliorated. Although under this plan of treatMr. ASHTON also exhibited a specimen of ment the mortality was less than during the first week of STRICTURE OF TtiE RECTUM, AND FIBROUS DEPOSIT EXTERNAL September, it would be forming a very erroneous judgment if this were attributed wholly to the treatment. The truth was, TO ITS COAT, that a large proportion of cases were of a comparatively mild removed from a woman, aged fifty-four, who had been ailing which would account for some of the improvement in for twenty years, and for the last three years had suffered from form, the rate of mortality. The conclusion at which the author relaxed bowels, occasionally passing blood. Ten days previous seemed to have arrived was, that there is no plan of treatment to death, she was seized with pain in the abdomen, but it which reliance can be placed in collapse. This was not, upon subsided in a few hours. After this, constipation followed, the case where collapse was only impending, and he and on the eighth day she took some castor oil. Vomiting however, considered that if, during this incipient stage, a brisk emetic supervened, with great distention of the abdomen and con- be administered, and warmth applied, the subsequent deadly siderable pain, but the bowels were not relieved. On the folcollapse may be averted in many cases. In conclusion, he lowing day, she was admitted into a public infirmary, in a urged the necessity of attending to the mode of applying heat, state of great exhaustion, and complaining of great abdominal as frequently this agent is so carelessly used as to be valueless. the and On examination pain, belly being large tympanitic. The bath must not only be used, but its effects kept up by of the rectum, contraction of the bowel was found to exist warm clothing, and as an efficient means of doing so, he reabout three inches from the anus, surrounded by a dense mass commended the use of thick, warm, woollen jerseys. of morbid structure. Death took place the day after her adCHOLERA IN ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL. mission, from exhaustion. On post-mortem inspection, the intestines were found greatly distended. No peritoneal inflamDr. BARCLAY then furnished the following communication mation existed. The rectum was contracted at the part the same subject :-He first alluded to the fact of the imupon already mentioned, and was surrounded by a large mass. portation of cholera from foreign shores, as proved by Dr. having the appearance of fat, and very dense, which, by aid Baly’s observations, its propagation amongst us being due to of the microscope, was found to be composed of fibrous tissue, some kind of contagion, independent of any atmospheric inThe tumour extended to the rectum. fluence ; this contagion may possibly be dependent upon the same laws as those that regulate the spread of small-pox and (To 5e continued.)
’
syphilitic
Society. (Loud cheers.)
I
arduous duty-that of endeavouring to advance medical science. We are all agreed that the medical profession does not hold that position in the country that we should wish. There are many reasons for this, some of which were very ably treated by Mr. Clarke in his late Oration; but the chief reason, in my opinion, is, that the science of medicine itself is not in the position in which we could wish to see it. The imperfection of the science is not the fault of medical men, but arises from the difficulty of the subject. That the profession of medicine has not been deficient in men of ability, is proved by the circumstance that many of the most successful cultivators of all the natural sciences have been medical men. The great Linnaeus was a physician, and published an interesting inaugural dissertation on agues. We cannot suppose that he would have abandoned so important a science as medicine if he had felt himself able to give the same clear descriptions and classifications of diseases and their treatment that he was able to make of plants and animals. Sir Humphrey Davy was a medical man, and left medicine to become one of the greatest chemists who ever lived; but I have no doubt that he did more service to medicine, by his discoveries in chemistry, than he could possibly have done by remaining within the ranks of the profession. There is a right time for the advancement of every science. Medicine could not approach to perfection till the collateral sciences were first advanced ; but the time has probably now arrived when medical science may advance in the same rapid manner that chemistry has advanced within the last seventy or eighty years. I have the confidence of some fellows of this Society, men of hope, energy, and perseverance, who consider that we are on the eve of great discoveries in medicine, and I hope they will liveto I do not mean that we shall see their anticipations realized. find a cure for every disease, but that we shall have a rational knowledge of it, and know what to expect from treatment. Some parts of medical science have already attained a great
THURSDAY, MARCH 8TH. ANNIVERSARY MEETING. The anniversary meeting was held at the Albion Tavern on amount of certainty; for instance, surgeons are all agreed rethe 8th inst., the President in the chair. The following specting the proper treatment of fractures and dislocations; gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the ensuing session :- they know what to expect from treatment, and if they are President: J. Snow, M.D.- Vice-Presidents: I. B. Brown, disappointed, they can generally explain the reason why. The Esq. ; W. Coulson, Esq. ; C. H. F. Routh, M.D.; W. Smiles, result of this is, that the whole tribe of ignorant bone-setters M.D.-Treasurer: H. Hancock, Esq.-Librarian: W.A. Har- have disappeared, or, at all events, they practise only amongst rison, Esq.-Honorary Secretaries: E. Smith, M.D., LL.B.;; the most uneducated of the population; and when the nature C. H. Rogers Harrison, Esq.; T. Davidson, M.D., (Foreign.)- and treatment of diseases becomes equally well, known, it will Council: W. Aclams, Esq.; J. Bishop, Esq., F. R. S.; J. F. be impossible that intelligent persons should submit to be Clarke, Esq.; C. Cogswell, M.D. ; J. B. Daniell, M.D.; V. de; treated with globules of sugar of milk, having the name of Meric, Esq.; A. B. Garrod, M.D.; G. D. Gibb, M.D.; F. W. medicine attached to them, and nothing else. If the profesHeadland, M.B.; A. Henry, M.D.; F. Hird, Esq.; H. Lee, sion should then not have quite the position in society that we Esq.; F. W. Mackenzie, M. D. ; J. Propert, Esq.; C. B. Rad- could wish, it will, at all events, not be placed beneath the cliffe, M.D.; B. W. Richardson, M. D. ; W. B. Ryan, M.B.; S. other professions; and we shall not see the civil engineer and Stedman, Esq.; J. S. Stocker, M.D.; J. M. Winn, M.D.-the chemist placed over the medical man, in matters which Orator: B. W. Richardson, M.D. belong exclusively to his own profession. This Society holds a The Oration was delivered by Mr. J. F. Clarke. The Silver meeting on the second Monday of every month for the reading Medal of the Society was presented, with a suitable address, and discussion of physiological papers. Many interesting to Dr. Cogswell, for services rendered to the Society. The, and important papers have already been furnished, and we fellows, to the number of seventy, afterwards dined together. may expect the greatest benefit to medical science from this part of the Society’s proceedings; for physiology is the basis of both pathology and therapeutics. In conclusion, I have to beg your support during the coming session, by your attendance, SATURDAY, MARCH 10TH. and the furnishing of papers and other contributions to the proDR. SNOW, PRESIDENT, IN THE CHAIR. ceedings. I trust that the Society will continue to advance as After the usual votes of thanks had been given to the, rapidly as it has lately done; and, whilst no effort shall be retiring officers of the Society, the newly-elected President,, wanting on my part to aid the progress of the Society, I beg Dr. Sxow, addressed the meeting as follows:your kind indulgence for any want of ability you may meet Whether I look back on the great men who have held thiss with in me. chair before me, or look around on the number of eminent5 A paper was afterwards read, by Mr. HUNT, on the members of the profession who at present belong to the Society, "Furunculoid Epidemic." As the substance of this communiI am equally impressed with the importance of the honour you cation appeared in THE LANCET two years since, it is unneceshave conferred on me in electing me to the office of President. sary to give an abstract of it on this occasion. A discussion On reflection, I am led to the conclusion that the office has beeni ensued. given to me, not so much for any general merits I possess, as for my long attendance at the Society and devotion to its intePATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. rests ; but, on whatever grounds the honour has been awarded, I feel it is one of the greatest distinctions which can be conTUESDAY, MARCH 6TH, 1855. ferred on a medical man. Fortune is peculiarly fickle in our MR. PARTRIDGE IN THE CHAIR. profession. Honours and emoluments are not always awarded in proportion to merit; and, therefore, the distinctions conferred on a medical man by members of his own calling are MR. HUTCHINSON exhibited a specimen of extremely valuable. Many a medical man toils hard and waits INDURATED PREPUCE (?) MISTAKEN FOB CHANCRE, long before he meets with much reward from the public, but it is a consolation and an encouragement to him to meet his fel- which had been removed from a man, thirty years of age, who low-practitioners, by whom he is judged by his intrinsic merits, had been ten years married; there were no symptoms or any and not by those outward evidences of success by which the appearance of recent syphilis, but the patient had syphilis bepublic are too apt to decide. Nothing, therefore, tends more fore marriage, for the cure of which he was under treatto keep up a high tone of honourable feeling in the profession ment six weeks. The induration was in area about an inch. than societies like this. We meet together to perform an The case was under treatment by Mr. Lawrence and Mr. .
-
,
-
,
,
I
293 Holmes Coote. Mr. Lawrence looked on it as primary vene- WESTERN MEDICAL AND SURGICAL SOCIETY real sore, for which mercury was prescribed; under its use the OF LONDON. induration was getting softer, but the remedy was taken irreMr. on the case as but looked in convenereal, gularly. Paget FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH, 1855. equence of having some doubt on the point, recommended its DR. CAHILL, VICE-PRESIDENT, IN THE CHAIR. ranoval, which was accordingly done. Under the microscope, tlere were no appearances of a malignant character. DR. FIKCHAM read a paper Mr. PARTRIDGE was of opinion that it was decidedly syphiON CHOLERA. litic, as well from the history of the case as the appearance of the specimen. He commenced by stating that his experience was gained Mr. HUTCHINSON had every confidence in the patient’s moduring the first and third weeks of rality, besides being married; and, therefore, doubted its syphi- marking the climax and the decline of September-periods the epidemic. This litic character. He believed that the primary sorein the forpreliminary statement he considered necessary and fair, mer attack was indurated. because, in this late epidemic, as in all preceding ones, the Mr. HUTCHINSON also exhibited cases occurring at the decline were generally of a milder chaA rIBRO-CELLULAR TUMOUR, racter than those during the access or climax of the outbreak. taken from the prepuce of a child who had congenital phimosis. The author then proceeded to state, that the leading plans of The tumour was circumscribed, but adhered firmly to the pre- treatment proposed might be classified thus: 1. The antidotal, puce and left corpus cavernosum. The origin of the tumour was including Dr. Stevens’ saline plan. 2. The astringent. 3. The 4. The stimulant. 5. The said to be the pulling of the prepuce by some companions of eliminative, by castor oil, &o. the child. empirical, in which there was an administration of various substances, not apparently having any recognised remedial Mr. ASHTON exhibited a specimen of I relation between the drug and the symptoms; in this class he IMPEBFORATION AXD MALFORMATION OF THE RECTUM, included the by the administration of calomel. 6. This taken from a child five days old, which, when born, had class included plan the use of mustard emetics, to rouse the flagging The all the appearance of being strong and healthy. of the system, and the application of heat externally, child took the breast readily at first, but the act of suck- powers to excite the circulation. The author then proceeded to the ling was shortly followed by vomiting. After the third detail of his own experience in the treatment of the disease, day, this recurred as soon as nourishment entered the sto- and stated that forty-four cases of undoubted cholera were mach. On the fifth day Mr. Ashton was requested to see treated by him in the Westminster Hospital. Twenty-four of the child, in consequence of the foregoing symptoms, and no these were ina state of collapse, in fifteen collapse was imtaken anum. The abdomen was evacuation having place per and in fivethe symptoms were very slight. Of these, pending, much distended and tympanitic; slight pressure gave pain and of thirty-nine cases of true cholera, twenty recovered, and caused the child to cry violently; no hardness or increased size nineteen of recoveries as nearly as possible died-an of the abdomen be of in any part could detected indicative the similar to that met average with in other hospitals. However, five of seat of obstruction. The anus was perfect; but, on introducing these recovered from complete collapse. All these cases had a the finger, it was arrested three quarters of an inch from its warm bath on and this was repeated for two or admission, orifice; no bulging of the orifice could be felt, the anal cul de three times, if necessary. Mustard was applied to the sac being carried upwards into the cavity of the abdomen when in most of the cases, and ice given ad libitum. epigastrium pressure was excited. Operativeprocedure was rendered in- The first four cases, on admission, had an emetic of salt and expedient by the absence of all indication of the termination of mustard, followed by the administration of diluted sulphuric the intestine. The child died on the seventh day of its age. with chloric ether; they were all in a state of confirmed On post-mortem inspection, the small intestines, distended acid, and all died, without any attempt to rally. The collapse, with flatus, were found occupying the left and anterior portion next three cases were treated with castor oil and occasional of the abdominal cavity; the colon was normal as far as its doses of calomel; two recovered, and one died. The next which was the intestine revery short, descending portion, fourteen cases were treated with calomel, (five grains every crossing to the right side, and then terminating in a dilated quarter or half-hour,) and if the rice-water evacuations conpouch, distended with meconium, which reached to a little tinued, and were copious, half a drachm of diluted sulphuric below the crest of the ilium, and from thence was connected acid was added to the treatment; of these, eight cases of with the anal cul de sac by a membranous prolongation. On extreme and one recovered; and five of impenddied, collapse opening the intestine, it was found to be perfectly impervious. ing collapse recovered. All the foregoing cases occurred in the Had anv operation been practised, or thrust been made with a first week of September, 1854, when the epidemic was at its trocar, the peritoneal cavity and small intestines would have height. During the week beginning the 13th of September, been wounded, but the large intestine could not have been cases were admitted: of these, eleven recovered, and eighteen reached. seven died. All were treated uniformly, beginning, as before, Mr. PARTRIDGE.-What was the distance between the two with the hot bath and emetic, followed by the use of calomel parts of intestine ? in two-grain doses, every quarter of an hour, until the sympMr. ASHTON.-More than one inch. toms were ameliorated. Although under this plan of treatMr. ASHTON also exhibited a specimen of ment the mortality was less than during the first week of STRICTURE OF TtiE RECTUM, AND FIBROUS DEPOSIT EXTERNAL September, it would be forming a very erroneous judgment if this were attributed wholly to the treatment. The truth was, TO ITS COAT, that a large proportion of cases were of a comparatively mild removed from a woman, aged fifty-four, who had been ailing which would account for some of the improvement in for twenty years, and for the last three years had suffered from form, the rate of mortality. The conclusion at which the author relaxed bowels, occasionally passing blood. Ten days previous seemed to have arrived was, that there is no plan of treatment to death, she was seized with pain in the abdomen, but it which reliance can be placed in collapse. This was not, upon subsided in a few hours. After this, constipation followed, the case where collapse was only impending, and he and on the eighth day she took some castor oil. Vomiting however, considered that if, during this incipient stage, a brisk emetic supervened, with great distention of the abdomen and con- be administered, and warmth applied, the subsequent deadly siderable pain, but the bowels were not relieved. On the folcollapse may be averted in many cases. In conclusion, he lowing day, she was admitted into a public infirmary, in a urged the necessity of attending to the mode of applying heat, state of great exhaustion, and complaining of great abdominal as frequently this agent is so carelessly used as to be valueless. the and On examination pain, belly being large tympanitic. The bath must not only be used, but its effects kept up by of the rectum, contraction of the bowel was found to exist warm clothing, and as an efficient means of doing so, he reabout three inches from the anus, surrounded by a dense mass commended the use of thick, warm, woollen jerseys. of morbid structure. Death took place the day after her adCHOLERA IN ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL. mission, from exhaustion. On post-mortem inspection, the intestines were found greatly distended. No peritoneal inflamDr. BARCLAY then furnished the following communication mation existed. The rectum was contracted at the part the same subject :-He first alluded to the fact of the imupon already mentioned, and was surrounded by a large mass. portation of cholera from foreign shores, as proved by Dr. having the appearance of fat, and very dense, which, by aid Baly’s observations, its propagation amongst us being due to of the microscope, was found to be composed of fibrous tissue, some kind of contagion, independent of any atmospheric inThe tumour extended to the rectum. fluence ; this contagion may possibly be dependent upon the same laws as those that regulate the spread of small-pox and (To 5e continued.)
’