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ROYAL INSTITUTION.
247
sensations produced by them clear and livery, as it is within that time, ordidistinct?" Lastly, he advances anew narily, that haemorrhage occurs. When presumption in favourof his opinion, by this happens, the following is the remarking, that ° those who suppose mode M. Gorat adopts: he strips a the retina to be the immediate seat of lemon of its skin, and having cut off yet been able to one end of it, he puts it into the we possess cavity of the uterus, and then exexplain to the different dis- presses the juice ’on the sides of that of adapting eyes tances." The hypothesis of Lahire, cavity. He allows the decorticated which attempts to account for this lemon to remain there until, by the
vision, have
not as
the power which
power by the dilatation and contraction irritation produced by the juice and of the pupil, has been combated by this foreign body, the uterus is exthe author, as well as that mode of cited to fresh contractions, which conaccounting for the phenomenon which stringing the tissue of that organ rests on the action of the straight stops the haemorrhage, and the lemon muscles altering the axis of the eye is expelled with the coagulum formed and the shape of the crystalline lens. about it. . He also announces that he has discovered a mathematical law for the of distances, and the apreal parent and magnitude of bodies.
appreciation
PRIZE PROPOSED. The
Surgical divison of the Royal Such is the announcement of the Academy of Medicine has offered a discovery of the ingenious M. Lehot, prize of 1,000 francs to the author of who, it appears, is an officer of a the best paper on the following sub. Royal Engineer corps. When the ex- ject :periments by which he has arrived at "To determine, by experience and these conclusions reach us, we shall what is the best method of take some further notice of the work, reasoning, treating penetrating wounds of the chest." The memoirs are to be written in Latin or French, and to be sent, postA M. GORAT, at the last annual paid, to the Secretary of the Academy, Rue de Poitiers, before the 1st of sitting of the Royal Academy of Me- 8, November. dicine, read a curious paper on the employment of citric acid in haemorROYAL INSTITUTION. rhage occurring after delivery.
Uterine
Hæmorrhage.
This practitioner very properly reComparative Physiology. commends the surgeon not to leave Dr. ROGET has, this season, comthe patient within an hour after de- menced a new course of lectures on
248
Comparative Physiology, at the Royal aa different and superior kind to that Institution, and has announced his which the mere physical relations of intention of devoting it to the con- cause and effect are calculated tQ sideration of the physiology of the inspire. external senses. He gave a view, in Dr. Roget proceeded to the investithe introductory lecture, of the general principles or laws of physiology, gation of the character of the several resulting from the application to that powers which are concerned in the science of those rules of philosophical production of the phenomena of ani. induction which have already been mal life, and which appear to have so successfully followed in the other been superadded to the ordinary pbydepartments of physical knowledge. sical powers inherent in unorganised But as the phenomena presented by matter. He noticed, in the first place, living beings differ so widely in their several peculiarities in the mechanical character from the changes that take organization of the parts of animals, place in inanimate matter, the appli- in the structure of which, he observed, cation of these rules to physiology is there prevails, even in the simplest attended with infinitely greater diffi- cases, a much greater complexity than culty. The rigid order and mathema- at first view appears; and he gave tical precision, so conspicuous in all some account of the different opinions that relates to the inorganic world, of anatomists respecting the nature are no longer discernible when we and properties of the elementary tissue come to survey the phenomena of life, of which their fabric is composed. either in the vegetable or animal He explained the mechanical properties of the cellular and membranous kingdoms of nature. parts of the body, as resulting from The simple laws of mechanism and their peculiar mode of organization, of chemistry are insufficient for the and exhibited an experiment in illusexplanation of this latter class of phe- tration of the hygrometic property of nomena, which evidently imply the animal membrane. operation of principles very different
from those which govern
inorganic Muscular contractility, of which the nature. It is quite impossible to re- effects are so remarkable, and which duce these phenomena to a single law, is a property so characteristic of aniin the same philosophical sense in mal life, was next presented as a subwhich the movements of the heavenly ject of inquiry. Dr. Roget took a rebodies are reducible to the single law view of the most celebrated hypoof gravitation. But by studying them theses which have, from time to time, with reference to final, instead of phy- been devised for explaining the phesical causes, a new principle of ar- nomena of muscular power; pointing rangement is introduced, which gives out, at the same time, their inefficiento the whole science of physiology a cy, inasmuch as their admission would new aspect and creates an interest of involve much greater difficulties than
249
simple fact which they profess to explain. He then gave some account
the
of the theory on this subject which has been recently advanced by Dr. Prevost and Mr. Dumas, and which
consequences, and which stamp the character of individuality on the beings
they
compose.
He concluded this lecture with has excited considerable attention on some observations on the’ gradation of the Continent, founded on the newly powers, and subordination ,of funcdiscovered laws of electro-magnetic tions, exhibited in the system of living The conclusion to which animals, and on the over-whelming physiologists have been led by magnificence of those widely-extended their observations and experiments is, plans, and elaborate adaptations of that muscular contractions are the re- means to ends, in a series reaching sult of an attraction between the ner- far beyond our view, that are revealed vous filaments distributed to the mus- to us by the study of every part of the cular fibres, consequent on the trans- animal economy. mission of currents of electricity
attraction. these
through these nervous filaments. The Doctor next considered the agency of those new forms of chemical affinity which are developed during
ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL,
To the Editor of THE LANCET. the processes of assimilation, secretion, and nutrition, and which appear SIR,—If I should begin my letter as to control and modify the operations most persons do, who wish to procure an early insertion, I should say that of the ordinary affinities in the same I have derived much pleasure from materials, when deprived of life or the perusal of your extensively-circuunassisted by organization. The for- lated Journal ; but this would be telling you a sort of truism, for although mer he proposes to designate by the some of your remarks are severe and term organic affinities, by way of dis- searching, and some prudishly hint that The La2icet is a little too sharp, tinction to the latter, which constitute yet all the physicians, surgeons, mid the whole of the chemistry of inor- wivers, and apothecaries, within the scope of my acquaintance, read it ganic substances. with avidity, and, I suppose, do so for the same reason that 1 have lately The powers inherent in the different done, because they reap from it information and amusement. Now I parts of the nervous system constitute have always heard you described as a other departments of this inquiry, in hic et ubique-a here, there, and everywhere sort of gentleman,—assuming pursuing which, Dr. Roget established such a questionable shape, that I have a distinction between the simple ner- seen four individuals, unless, "mine the fools o’ the other vous power", or property of transmit- eyes are made as different in their figures senses," ting certain impressions, and the sen- and physiognomies as the four Prices notoriety, represented each as sorial power, or capability of exciting of city tlie Editor of the Lancet. Prav be sensation and other mental changesenough to inform me, Sir, it you the wonderful faculty of splitting changes which lead to such important
good
have
sensations produced by them clear and livery, as it is within that time, ordidistinct?" Lastly, he advances anew narily, that haemorrhage occurs. When presumption in favourof his opinion, by this happens, the following is the remarking, that ° those who suppose mode M. Gorat adopts: he strips a the retina to be the immediate seat of lemon of its skin, and having cut off yet been able to one end of it, he puts it into the we possess cavity of the uterus, and then exexplain to the different dis- presses the juice ’on the sides of that of adapting eyes tances." The hypothesis of Lahire, cavity. He allows the decorticated which attempts to account for this lemon to remain there until, by the
vision, have
not as
the power which
power by the dilatation and contraction irritation produced by the juice and of the pupil, has been combated by this foreign body, the uterus is exthe author, as well as that mode of cited to fresh contractions, which conaccounting for the phenomenon which stringing the tissue of that organ rests on the action of the straight stops the haemorrhage, and the lemon muscles altering the axis of the eye is expelled with the coagulum formed and the shape of the crystalline lens. about it. . He also announces that he has discovered a mathematical law for the of distances, and the apreal parent and magnitude of bodies.
appreciation
PRIZE PROPOSED. The
Surgical divison of the Royal Such is the announcement of the Academy of Medicine has offered a discovery of the ingenious M. Lehot, prize of 1,000 francs to the author of who, it appears, is an officer of a the best paper on the following sub. Royal Engineer corps. When the ex- ject :periments by which he has arrived at "To determine, by experience and these conclusions reach us, we shall what is the best method of take some further notice of the work, reasoning, treating penetrating wounds of the chest." The memoirs are to be written in Latin or French, and to be sent, postA M. GORAT, at the last annual paid, to the Secretary of the Academy, Rue de Poitiers, before the 1st of sitting of the Royal Academy of Me- 8, November. dicine, read a curious paper on the employment of citric acid in haemorROYAL INSTITUTION. rhage occurring after delivery.
Uterine
Hæmorrhage.
This practitioner very properly reComparative Physiology. commends the surgeon not to leave Dr. ROGET has, this season, comthe patient within an hour after de- menced a new course of lectures on
248
Comparative Physiology, at the Royal aa different and superior kind to that Institution, and has announced his which the mere physical relations of intention of devoting it to the con- cause and effect are calculated tQ sideration of the physiology of the inspire. external senses. He gave a view, in Dr. Roget proceeded to the investithe introductory lecture, of the general principles or laws of physiology, gation of the character of the several resulting from the application to that powers which are concerned in the science of those rules of philosophical production of the phenomena of ani. induction which have already been mal life, and which appear to have so successfully followed in the other been superadded to the ordinary pbydepartments of physical knowledge. sical powers inherent in unorganised But as the phenomena presented by matter. He noticed, in the first place, living beings differ so widely in their several peculiarities in the mechanical character from the changes that take organization of the parts of animals, place in inanimate matter, the appli- in the structure of which, he observed, cation of these rules to physiology is there prevails, even in the simplest attended with infinitely greater diffi- cases, a much greater complexity than culty. The rigid order and mathema- at first view appears; and he gave tical precision, so conspicuous in all some account of the different opinions that relates to the inorganic world, of anatomists respecting the nature are no longer discernible when we and properties of the elementary tissue come to survey the phenomena of life, of which their fabric is composed. either in the vegetable or animal He explained the mechanical properties of the cellular and membranous kingdoms of nature. parts of the body, as resulting from The simple laws of mechanism and their peculiar mode of organization, of chemistry are insufficient for the and exhibited an experiment in illusexplanation of this latter class of phe- tration of the hygrometic property of nomena, which evidently imply the animal membrane. operation of principles very different
from those which govern
inorganic Muscular contractility, of which the nature. It is quite impossible to re- effects are so remarkable, and which duce these phenomena to a single law, is a property so characteristic of aniin the same philosophical sense in mal life, was next presented as a subwhich the movements of the heavenly ject of inquiry. Dr. Roget took a rebodies are reducible to the single law view of the most celebrated hypoof gravitation. But by studying them theses which have, from time to time, with reference to final, instead of phy- been devised for explaining the phesical causes, a new principle of ar- nomena of muscular power; pointing rangement is introduced, which gives out, at the same time, their inefficiento the whole science of physiology a cy, inasmuch as their admission would new aspect and creates an interest of involve much greater difficulties than
249
simple fact which they profess to explain. He then gave some account
the
of the theory on this subject which has been recently advanced by Dr. Prevost and Mr. Dumas, and which
consequences, and which stamp the character of individuality on the beings
they
compose.
He concluded this lecture with has excited considerable attention on some observations on the’ gradation of the Continent, founded on the newly powers, and subordination ,of funcdiscovered laws of electro-magnetic tions, exhibited in the system of living The conclusion to which animals, and on the over-whelming physiologists have been led by magnificence of those widely-extended their observations and experiments is, plans, and elaborate adaptations of that muscular contractions are the re- means to ends, in a series reaching sult of an attraction between the ner- far beyond our view, that are revealed vous filaments distributed to the mus- to us by the study of every part of the cular fibres, consequent on the trans- animal economy. mission of currents of electricity
attraction. these
through these nervous filaments. The Doctor next considered the agency of those new forms of chemical affinity which are developed during
ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL,
To the Editor of THE LANCET. the processes of assimilation, secretion, and nutrition, and which appear SIR,—If I should begin my letter as to control and modify the operations most persons do, who wish to procure an early insertion, I should say that of the ordinary affinities in the same I have derived much pleasure from materials, when deprived of life or the perusal of your extensively-circuunassisted by organization. The for- lated Journal ; but this would be telling you a sort of truism, for although mer he proposes to designate by the some of your remarks are severe and term organic affinities, by way of dis- searching, and some prudishly hint that The La2icet is a little too sharp, tinction to the latter, which constitute yet all the physicians, surgeons, mid the whole of the chemistry of inor- wivers, and apothecaries, within the scope of my acquaintance, read it ganic substances. with avidity, and, I suppose, do so for the same reason that 1 have lately The powers inherent in the different done, because they reap from it information and amusement. Now I parts of the nervous system constitute have always heard you described as a other departments of this inquiry, in hic et ubique-a here, there, and everywhere sort of gentleman,—assuming pursuing which, Dr. Roget established such a questionable shape, that I have a distinction between the simple ner- seen four individuals, unless, "mine the fools o’ the other vous power", or property of transmit- eyes are made as different in their figures senses," ting certain impressions, and the sen- and physiognomies as the four Prices notoriety, represented each as sorial power, or capability of exciting of city tlie Editor of the Lancet. Prav be sensation and other mental changesenough to inform me, Sir, it you the wonderful faculty of splitting changes which lead to such important
good
have