VII. Sporadic diseases.

"Cases of the retention of the Placenta,

with cases, by James L. Bliss, M. D." This insidious and dangerous malady is described, and the diagnostic stated between it and the cynanche which attacks the trachæa, and that which invades the pharynx. The appearances after death are carefully noted. Dr. B. entertains an opinion favourable to the operation of tracheotomy in this disease, though he thinks it generally inefficacious in croup. He believes in one instance the opening of the windpipe, by an incision from his own hand, prolonged the patients' life ten hours and a half.

"Case of Phlegmasia dolens in a male. By George B. Purdy, M. D. with observations, by Ansel W. Ives, M. D." This is an example of a painful and afflicting disease commonly thought to be peculiar to puerperal women, occurring in a man. It occurred to the writer himself in his own person, and his commentation offers ingenious conjectures on the cause somewhat analogous to the swelling and effusion in gout.

"Case of artificial joint cured by friction, by John Meeker, M. D." A lady, by a fall, fractured the radius of the forearm, about four inches above the wrist. The ends of the bone did not unite by callus; on the contrary an artificial joint was formed. While she was meditating and dreading a regular cure by surgery, she met with an old friend, a gentleman, at a ball, who gave her such a cordial shake of the hand, that she suffered excruciating pain, and screamed aloud. It is concluded that the friction thus produced between the fractured parts of the bone was followed by a degree of inflammation sufficient to make the separated extremities cohere, and thereby restore soundness to the limb.

"Cases of Pneumonia typhoides, with remarks, by Dr. William Tully." The author recites two cases, which he considers as rather rare forms of the epidemic, that he is disposed to characterise by the following short definition, to wit, "a local passive inflammation (generally of some viscus) attended with typhoid fever." There is a case of another disease, by the same writer, of whose contents we find it so hard to make an abstract, that we refer to the original.

E. Berger, M. D." Two examples are given of abortion. In one, happening at the fourth month with terrible flooding, the placenta remained until the 43d day after the fetus had been expelled, and the patient suffered no injury. The other miscarriage happened at about the same time (4m.) accompanied by hemorrhage; and the placentia did not come away before the 17th day: after which the woman soon recovered. From these and other cases and authorities Dr. B. is strongly led to believe, that although there are some cases in the latter part of gestation where manual assistance may be the means of saving the patient; yet in early miscarriages there is generally a necessity to submit to the operations of nature.

"Reflections on the pulsation in Epigastrio, by Valentine Mott, M. D." The mysterious and perplexing subject of a throbbing near the pit of the stomach is examined regularly and carefully. He considers it as proceeding from aneurism, enlargement or disease of the pancreas; schirrhus of the stomach; tumours in the mesentery; nervous irritation; enlargement of the lower vena cava; increased solidity of the lungs; enlargement of the heart; and adhesion of the heart to the pericardium. The latter of which he considers as the most frequent. Though Dr. M. has laboured with so much diligence in the investigation, he nevertheless observes, that his communication is only to be considered as an outline or beginning, to be filled up by future observation, and this we hope he and others who may have opportunity will be careful to make.

"Cases of a disease resembling Syphylis, with remarks, by James C. Bliss, M. D." Here are five cases ofa frightful malady, accompanied with ulceration and mortification; with which latter symptom three of them died. The author thinks it impossible to refer them to any form that disease described in the books; and that they differ from every other distemper depending on infection by animal secretion. He inclines to the belief that they proceed from a specific poison engendered in the human body, and possessing such extreme malignity as sometimes to be altogether un

controulable by known means. He expresses a wish, in which we concur, that some competent person would collect and embody the various facts connected with this obscure subject. The memoir may be consulted, p. 373, 386.

"A remarkable case of Devotional Somniuin, by Ansel W. Ives, M. D." This is a record of a very singular occurrence whether it is viewed metaphysically or medically. The subject was a young woman, who by reason of her nightly and unconscious exercises was called the Sleeping-Preacher. The history of her extraordinary affection had been originally written by Dr. Mitchill; and she has since been restored to health by Dr. Sears. Her case is highly interesting, as it relates to the history of the humanmin

In investigating the pathology of this, and analagous diseases, Dr. Mitchill had, in a publication called Devotional Somnium, shown, that besides sleeping and waking, there was a third state of human being, which he denominated Somnium, or the dreaming condition. This he describes to be as perfectly distinct from slumber and from wakefulness as these are from each other. Dr. Mitchill in the publication quoted had discriminated the "idiopathic and symptomatic somnium," with minute and analytical exactness.

In the memoir now before us, Dr. Ives has embodied all the information extant into one narrative; embracing the origin, progress, symptoms, rationale, and treatment of the disease. It is now registered at full length, from its commencement to its removal, in medical history.

The occurrences are so recent and so well known, that we forbear to enlarge upon them in this place; especially since they may be easily examined in the volume, p. 395-412, and in the tract therein mentioned.

It is highly gratifying to know, that this strange and obstinate disease has at length yielded to professional skill, and that the patient is entirely well.

VIII. Particular Remedies. "Use of Datura Stramonium in certain diseases, by Alex. Read, M. D. The author brings into notice a vegetable growing in great abundance spontaneously in our country. This is the indigenous Thorn-Apple or Jamestown weed; a plant possessing active qualities, and known both as a remedy and a poison. He ranks it for usefulness and efficacy with the sleep-producing Poppy. The powdered leaves; the powdered seeds; the tincture of the seeds; and the extract of the leaves are all good. For outward

applications the leaves may be boiled with lard and made into a cerate. He also mentions the expressed juice, and its smoke while burning. Epilepsy, atonic mania asthma, spasmodic cough, whooping, cough, and consumption, are only a part of the diseases for which it has been prescribed. And, above all, he speaks favourably of it as a quieter of that tormenting disease of the face, the tic douloureux.

"Inquiry into the effects of Vegetable Acids counteracting narcotics, by George B. Purdy, M. D.” Considering it as a fact that vinegar, lime juice, and other vegetable acids, are capable of checking or counteracting the narcotic quality of opium, he seems inclined to the opinion that the acids disarm the opium, by imparting to it a portion of their oxygen, and restore the injured constitution of man to its integrity, by adding the same ingredient. He thinks the administration of vinegar has done good, where white hellebore and ardent spirit have been received too copiously into the stomach; and that it is worthy of being employed to bring those who suffer intoxication by them to their senses again.

"Case of Poison by the Tincture of Opium, by Joseph M. Smith, M. D." A nymph of frailty, in a fit of despair, had swallowed upwards of two ounces of liquid laudanum. She lay in a stupor. Emetics of antimony and zinc had been given; but the susceptibility of the stomach was too much impaired to receive their remedial action. She was sinking into insensibility. Dr. S. succeeded in rousing her from it by switching and smiting the skin, as recommended in the Medical Repository, Vol. 3, p. 150. Vol. 5, p. 36, Hex. I. Vol. I. p. 10. New series. Where deglutition fails, flagellation may be advantageously employed.

Dr. S. favours the alkaline practice in recovering the nervous system from the shock it may have sustained from narcotics. Carbonate of Ammonia is particularly noticed; though he seems in clined to suppose potash and soda possess a similar power. We cannot refrain from remarking the happy operation of acids and alkalies in counteracting poisons; and as they both contain oxygen, why may they not act upon a similar principle? If on such an accident in a family, the castors with vinegar are not at hand, the Pot-ash bottle may be called for upon Mitchill's plan.

"Remarks on the efficacy of Friction

in Palsy and Apoplexy, proved by Cases, by Cornelius E. De Puy, M. D." One of the consequences of the modern method of dressing and covering the body, is to render it untangible, and to prevent the use of remedies to the skin. There is so much difficulty, oftentimes, in removing and adjusting garments and bed-clothes, and so much apprehension of besmearing and staining them with Liniments, fomentations, and the like, that the internal surface is too much neglected in practice; and this is more especially the case where clothing and bedding are costly, and where the skin must not be subjected to the touch of another. The prevalence of this habit and of this sentiment has had a remarkable effect on the practice of physic. External remedies being thus limited and neglected, internal applications have been the more employed. A great proportion of the medicaments ordered, must, according to the modern and fashionable usage, be received into the stomach, and travel through the intestinal canal. It is both pitiful and ridiculous that it should be so; but ita res est; and the custom will continue.

Dr. D. proves satisfactorily by examples, that friction, applied with assiduity, patience, and perseverance, is a most valuable remedy in recent cases of palsy, in old and chronic disabilities of the same class; and more especially when proceeding from weakness, abuse of medicines or of quicksilver.

The friction ought sometimes to be severe. A more powerful rubefacient, (the rod seems to be hinted at) is occasionally required; and even iron heated as high as can be applied without raising blisters, has a powerful effect. A recurrence to the ancient usages in relation to the Athlete, the Gymnasta and to the Iatraliptæ, will best satisfy the inquirer of the present day how much the healing art has lost by disregarding the external means of invigorating the body. IX. Pathology.

"An Instance of a change of Colour in the Skin of an American Indian, by Henry Bissell, M. D." An aboriginal man of the Brothertown tribe, at the age of sixty years, very soon after an attack of acute rheumatism, began to lose the native brown of his complexion. He is now ninety, and, during the last thirty years of his life, he has gradually become a white man, with the exception of the forehead, part of the face and neck, and a few small patches on The hue has nothing of the

the arms.

chalky look of the albino, but is remarkably fine and clear, resembling, in its softness and pliability, the delicacy of a female.

us.

A similar alteration of colour has happened to several persons of the sable African race, within a few years, among We agree with Dr. B. that the present is a solitary instance of its kind. The American Indigenes are now justly considered as of the same blood and descent with the nations of Malays and Tartars in Asia. The example before us strongly confirms the doctrine of the unity of origin and lineage among all the people of the globe. There can be little doubt that further observation will produce other instances of this curious change; and confirm the belief that those differences in men are but varieties in the species.

"An account of a family-predisposition to hæmorrhage, by Drs. William and Samuel Buel." In certain male individuals of a family living in Lichfield, Connecticut, there is a remarkable leakiness of the blood-vessels. This is so great that the extraction of a tooth, a slight bruise of the fore-finger, a bite of the tongue by accidentally striking the fore-teeth together, the wound made by a pewter plate falling on the foot, the rupture of the frænum of the upper lip, and a stub of the bottom of the foot, have respectively been followed by hemorrhages in different individuals of this family, which nothing could restrain, and which terminated in death.

Other examples of a similar predisposition to bleed are known in individuals and families. The facts contained in the present memoir are valuable additions; they are worthy of being recorded for the use of all who inquire into the history of life and death. Materials like these furnish the data required for a correct theory, which some happy genius, in due time, will prepare and offer to the world.

X. Biography.

"Biographical Sketch of the late Edward Post, Esq. Fellow, &c. by Dr. Guy C. Bayley." The practice of societies to eulogize their deceased members, is respectful to the deceased, and edifying to the survivors. The member, whose memory is celebrated, after a regular classical education, had turned his attention to professional acquirements. To the rich stock of information derived from the best schools on both sides of the Atlantic, he superadded the most amiable manners, and the promise of

extensive usefulness. But the supreme disposer of events stopped his career, and removed him, at the age of twenty

five, to a different state of being. Mysterious providence, the pious bow with reverence to thy divine will! M.

- praise enough

To fill the ambition of a common man,

is, let us hope for the honour of christianity, no more than might be said with truth of thousands now living, and of tens of thousands that sleep quietly in their graves. Were a volume of the formidable dimensions of the one before us, to be dedicated to the memory of every one equally entitled with Dr. Buchanan to like memorial, 'the world itself would scarcely contain the books that should be written.' But if the evangelist from whom we have, not irreverently, quoted, as well as the other sacred biographers, was content to compress the record of the deeds and sayings of the author of our holy religion into a few pages, it should seem presumptuous to devote a greater space to the delineation of the virtues of a lowly disciple.

There was, it is true, a motive which operated with the evangelists to render their narratives succinct, that does not apply, except in a very moderate degree, to other historians. As Christ was the pattern which all were to imitate, whilst it was essential to display his character in those points in which it is important to imitate him, it was prudent to withhold the relation of those events and transactions which were merely incident to his humanity, and had no relation to his doctrine, lest the undiscerning should be led to copy him in unimportant particulars, and to attach some merit to nugatory observances. It is evident that Jesus Christ intended to regulate the conduct of his disciples only by the general principles which he inculcated, leaving every one to apply them to his own condition and circumstances. And that the determinations of our will on common occasions might not be constrained by reference to his example, he has left us ignorant in resVOL. II.-No. iv.

pect to the occurrences of his life antecedent to entering on his mediatorial office, and irrelevant to the objects of his mission. From the time of his disputing with the doctors in the temple to the day of his baptism by John, an interval of eighteen years, all that we know of his occupation is, that he worked at his trade as a carpenter. But to know this is no small matter. The lesson to be drawn from this memorable and expressive instance of humble-mindedness and industry, is consonant with the whole tenor of his instructions. His persevering discharge of the duties of his ignoble station should reconcile us to our lots, and prompt us to be diligent in our callings; whilst his abstinence from teaching during the period in which he was employed in gaining a livelihood by manual labour, conveys a negative intimation which can hardly be misunderstood.

But though there is not a similar danger of ensnaring the consciences of the weak by detailing the daily actions and passions of pious men, as would have resulted from the same minuteness in regard to the Saviour, there is too much reason

to apprehend that many have been led astray by this means. An over heated imagination easily mistakes its own suggestions for the inspirations of Heaven; and the recital of the experience of fancied trials and favours has either the ef fect of filling the credulous listener with vain conceits, and prompting him to idle extravagances, or, of leading him to des pond of his salvation because he cannot work himself into a belief that he enjoys like providences and consolations. These Memoirs are not free from objection on this ground. Too much stress is laid upon undefinable sensations, and too much mysticism is employed in speaking of what would be otherwise intelligible.

Claudius Buchanan was born at Cambuslang, near Glasgow, in Scotland, on the 12th of March, 1766. His father was a man of considerable learning and respectable character. His mother, whose maiden name was Somers, was the daughter of one of the Elders of the

chureh, at Cambuslang, at the time of the stir produced in it by the preaching of Whitfield, in 1742. Both his parents endeavoured to imbue his youthful mind with religious notions, and to train him up in good habits. When seven years old he was sent to a grammar School at Inverary, where he remained till 1779. The next year after quitting school, at the age of fourteen, he was taken into the family of Mr. Campbell of Dunstafnage, as tutor to his two sons. Here he felt some impressions of a religious nature, which he communicated to his grandfather, who encouraged them,-but they were soon effaced. In the year 1782 he left the family of Mr. Campbell, and entered at the university of Glasgow. He remained there two years, and then went to the island of Islay, as a private tutor to the sons of Mr. Campbell of Knockmelly; the next year he occupied the same post in the family of Mr. Campbell of Carradell; in 1786 he returned to the college at Glasgow, where he attended the academical lectures; and at the end of the session he resumed his employment at Carradell. A singular project now took possession of his mind. He had a strong disposition to see the world, and conceived the design of making the tour of Europe on foot. A romantic attachment to a lady superior to him in rank and fortune, of the folly of which, though reciprocated, he was sensible, hastened the execution of his plan. He pretended that he had been invited by an English gentleman to accompany his son to the continent, and having put this deceit upon his friends he set off on his pedestrian tour. The following account of his adventures is given by himself.

"I had the example of the celebrated Dr. Goldsmith before me, who travelled through Europe on foot, and supported himself by playing on his flute. I could play a little on the violin, and on this I relied for occasional support during my long and various travels. "In August, 1787, having put on plain clothes, becoming my apparent situation, I left Edinburgh on foot with the intention of travelling to London, and thence to the continent: that very violin which I now have, and the case which contains it, I had under my arm, and thus I travelled onward. After I bad proceeded some days on my journey, and had arrived at a part of the country where I thought I could not be known, I called at gentlemen's houses, and farm-houses, where I was in general kindly lodged. They were very well pleased with my playing reels to them, (for I played them better than I can now,) and I sometimes received five shillings, sometimes half a crown, and sometimes nothing but my dinner. Wherever I went, people seemed to be struck a little by my appearance, particularly if they entered

:

into conversation with me. They were of ten very inquisitive, and I was sometimes at a loss what to say. I professed to be a musician travelling through the country for his subsistence but this appeared very strange to some, and they wished to know where I obtained my learning; for sometimes pride, and sometimes accident would call forth expressions, in the course of conversation, which excited their surprise. I was often invited to stay for some time at a particular place; but this I was afraid of, lest I might be discovered. It was near a month, I be lieve, before I arrived on the borders of Eng land, and in that time many singular occur. rences befel me. I once or twice met persons whom I had known, and narrowly es caped discovery. Sometimes I had nothing to eat, and had no where to rest at night; but, notwithstanding, I kept steady to my purpose, and pursued my journey. Before, however, I reached the borders of England: I would gladly have returned; but I could not: the die was cast; my pride would have impelled me to suffer death, I think, rather than to have exposed my folly; and I press

ed forward.

of my long journey, and found that it was "When I arrived at Newcastle, I felt tired indeed hard to live on the benevolence of others: I therefore resolved to proceed to London by water; for I did not want to travel in my own country, but on the conti

nent.

"I accordingly embarked in a collier at North Shields, and sailed for London. On the third night of the voyage we were in wind; and then, for the first time I began to danger of being cast away, during a gale of reflect seriously on my situation.

"During the violence of the storm, as he af terwards acknowledged to a friend, Mr. Bu chanan felt as if the judgment of God, as in the case of Jonah, was overtaking him; but, unlike the repenting Prophet, no sooner had the tempest of the elements subsided, than the agitation of his mind also passed away. He arrived safely in London on the second of September: "but by this time," he con tinues, in one of the letters referred to, "my spirits were nearly exhausted by distress and poverty. I now relinquished every idea of going abroad. I saw such a visionary scheme in its true light, and resolved, if pos sible, to procure some situation as an usher or clerk, or any employment whereby I might derive a subsistence: but I was unsuc cessful. I lived sometime, in obscure lodg ings, by selling my clothes and books; for I did not attempt to obtain any assistance by my skill in music, lest I should be discovered by some persons who might know me or my family. I was in a short time reduced to the lowest extreme of wretchedness and want. Alas! I had not sometimes bread to eat. Little did my mother think, when she dreamt, that she saw her son fatigued with his wan derings, and oppressed with a load of wo, glad to lie down, and sleep away his cares on a little straw, that her dream was so near the