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tion is sufficient evidence of his competency to the task, has been prevailed on to leave a similar institution in London, in order to take charge of ours, and our obligations to our first instructer are increased by the mode in which he has provided for filling the vacancy occasioned by his own resignation." The Doctor has thus noticed this mark of friendship and respect, to an individul who acted for the Com

mittee :

"Dear Sir,-The letter in which the Committee of the pupils of the Boston Gymnasium have expressed their kind feelings toward me, has filled me with uncommon pleasure. The impressions I retain of this institution, after having resigned the charge of it to abler hands, are among the most delightful recollections of my life. I shall always rejoice in remembering the truly patriotic views to which the Boston Gymnasium owes its existence, and the efficient warmth which enlivened our exercises, and which even the severest temperature of last winter could never depress to zero. That healthy atmosphere of the mind, a cheerful mood and kind feeling, which invariably reigned in the gymnasium, added the charms of good society to the advantages which each individual derived from the exercises. Moreover, the pleasure of seeing similar and partly filial institutions springing up in other cities, seemed to justify our hopes that gymnastic exercises would soon be generally adopted as a regular branch of a good American education, and as a source of health, strength and gracefulness, particularly to those whose condition of life is such as to induce them to neglect the cultivation of their physical powers. Besides

these general grounds of satisfaction, which I have in common with all the gentlemen belonging to the gymnasium, I have many particular reasons for cherishing the recollection of my connexion with the institution. I succeeded in obtaining that which As an instance, I consider the most desirable result of all teaching, a number of pupils the end of my services I see them far surpassing their master, and at acknowledged in a manner for which I find an adequate cause, not so much in my own actions, as in the kindness of those who are willing to take the good intention for the intended action.

and hope that the gymnasium will I sincerely wish continue a benefit to this enlightened city, and that its branches may spread over all this free and happy land, which my principles induce me to consider as my country, while the kindness of its inhabitants makes me embrace it as my home."

Dr. Follen's pupils have varied in age from six to sixty years; they now exhibit a most encouraging mass of living testimony, not only to various new powers aud faculties which the place has conferred, but to its general invigorating effects,-and, in many instances also, to its curative results.

BREAD.

We have received two generous slices of bread from a subscriber, made agreeably to the receipt for "excellent bread," published in this paper of May 29th, vol. 5th, p. 36th.

This bread is made without yeast, which is found to be a great convenience. One of the samples we ate was made of wheaten flour, the other of the unsifted meal of the same

gaain; both were light, porous, and well fermented; the latter was very friendly to the stomach, and highly grateful to the palate. Our flour is made too fine for anything but to please the eye; it makes bread tough, tenacious and indigestible; hence the relief found in indigestion from bread manufactured from meal which has passed only through a coarse sieve, and even from bran. The

good old Dutch people, on the Mohawk river, say they cannot eat the modern bread made of finely bolted flour, they must go back, if they mean to feel well, to bread made of meal, of whatever grain it may be composed.

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We are officially informed that Doctor a physician late of Lexington, Ky., a subscriber to this paper, has left Lexington and gone into Virginia, without having latterly taken his paper out of the office, and without paying for it, or even requesting its discontinuance. If the doctor should not, in due time, so far recollect himself as to comply with a voluntary engagement, be will have no just cause of offence or complaint, should we fill up the above blank with his name. We shall be governed in this, and in other circumstances of delay and delinquency, and want of courtesy, by

circumstances.

We apprehend that many proprietors of newspapers are too lenient toward tardy and blameable subscribers, from a fear of losing patronage. This may not be good policy for individuals or the public. A smaller number of prompt and punctual subscribers, is preferable to a host of

nominal patrons whose remittances slowly, and rarely, if ever-come to In the first case, the paper hand. costs less to the proprietors, and yields a better harvest.

We have a few more names in reserve,-we will not say at present on the black list, but certainly on one whose brightness is fading.

The Philadelphia Monthly Journal of Medicine and Surgery.-We have received a copy of the first number of this work, and shall gladly exchange with the Editor. We have only room for this acknowledgment at present.

We have received, and shall soon publish, a history of the erysipelatous inflammation which appeared some months ago in the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Celsus is also received, and shall have an opportunity of speaking for himself.

DICTIONARY

FOR THE LAST WEEK AND THIS.

Bursa, a bag; bursæ mucosa, mucous bags composed of proper membranes, containing a kind of mucous fat, formed by the exhaling arteries of their internal coat. The use of these sacs is to secrete and contain a substance to lubricate tendons, muscles, and bones, in order to render their motions easy.

Pericarditis, inflammation of the pericardium, or heartcase. Pabulum, food, aliment. Phlogosis, inflammation. Prime vice, first passages,-the stomach and intestines.

Sarcomatous, relating to sarcoma, which is a fleshy excrescence. Scapula, the shoulderblade. Sinus, a long narrow opening leading from some abscess, &c.

Tendon, the white, glistening extremity of a muscle.

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relation to the Medical Recorder. This Journal has received within the present year, more than two hundred additional subscribers, making in the whole perhaps more than all the other American together. The Recorder contains at least quarterly and monthly Medical Journals onefifth more matter than any of the other quarterly Journals, more than double of those published at a less price, and considerably more than twice the quantity of matter contained in the Monthly Medical Journals.

P. S.-The Medical Recorder is an independent Journal. Not being connected with any Medical Institution, it will freely criticise the proceedings of the

OFFERS for sale a full assortment of whole.

Drugs and Medicines of the best quality. Confining himself principally to the retail business, every attention will be given to meet the wishes of Physicians and others in the preparation and delivery of medicines. Prescriptions will receive constant personal attention.

Rochelle and Soda Powders carefully prepared as above.

Also, constantly for sale, Black Currant Wine, prepared by Mr. Pomeroy.

MEDICAL RECORDER. TUMBER 39 of the Medical Recorder

of July. It will be found to contain nearly one hundred articles connected with the science of Medicine and Surgery. Among these, two Prize Essays; one on Dropsy, and the other on Gangrenous Erosion of the Cheek; Reviews of several interesting new works; Analysis of the late American and Foreign Medical Journals, embracing the important practical matter they contain.

The departments of Analecta, Medical Intelligence, and extra limits, will be found to include much interesting information. Under the head of Medical Intelligence it will be seen that premiums are offered for " Hospital Reports;" and for Essays on the Indigenous Materia Medica of the United States.

In consequence of the vast number of American Medical Journals in circulation, the conducters of which urge their respective claims to public patronage, it is thought proper to state a few facts in

Subscriptions for this work are received by RICHARDSON & LORD, Agents, Boston. j10 Quere-Is not this the best test that the manner in which the work is conducted is approved of?

GREAT TRUSS MANUFACTORY.

P. WHITWELL, Druggist, corner

J. of Milk and Kilby Sirects, has at his employment one of the first artists and most ingenious mechanics in the United States, for the purpose of manufacturing Trusses. At this great depository may be found every sort of Truss, manufactur

the most elegant style, and warranted to accomplish every object which a good Truss can effect. To medical men it is needless to state the important advantages which arise from having the instrument well adapted to the part to be relieved. Here the patient, if unable to suit himself with those on hand, may have one made agreeably to the exact measurement of his body.

French Elastic Catheters.

Just received, from France, a few gross of the most approved Catheters, used by the first physicians and surgeons in the French metropolis; they are sold at a very low rate.

Bay Rum.

A few dozen bottles of this excellent embrocation in cases of hysterical and nervous affections, &c.

Also, Whitwell's Original and Genuine Liquid Opodeldoc. April, 1827.

Published weekly, by John Cotton, at 184, Washington St. corner of Franklin St. -The price of this paper will vary with the time of payment. If paid on subscribing, or within 3 months after, the price will be 3 dollars per annum ; if paid after 3 months but within the year, it will be $ 3,50; but if not paid within the year, it will be 4 dollars. No paper to be discontinued till arrearages are paid.-All communications must be addressed, postpaid, to John G. Coffin.-Advertisements, 1 dollar a square.

MEDICAL INTELLIGENCER.

JOHN G. COFFIN, EDITOR.

THE BEST PART OF THE MEDICAL ART, IS THE ART OF AVOIDING PAIN.

FOL. 5.

TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1827.

THE MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL

HOSPITAL.

FROM the general interest which the public feel in the progress and success of this institution, we presume the following paper will be read with no small degree of satisfaction. The fact it presents respecting ventilation is of great practi

cal value.

History of the Erysipelatous Inflammation which recently appeared in the Massachusetts General Hospital. By GEORGE HAYWARD, M. D.

THE Occurrence of erysipelas in this institution, and its occasional appearance here for several months, have excited no small degree of attention, and have given rise to exaggerated and false statements of its extent and fatality. With a view to correct these, as well as to exhibit facts as they really existed, I have been induced to draw up this article.

1. The first case of this disease occurred in April, 1826. The patient was a large muscular man of about 25 years of age, from the country, who was admitted, in consequence of having been run over by a loaded wagon, a few hours after the accident. The os femoris of the left side was fractured, a deep wound was made on the outside of the right thigh, which penetrated to the

NO. 9.

bone, and there was a severe compound fracture of the little finger of the left hand, which made its The acciremoval necessary. dent occurred on the 8th. A disthe wound of the thigh on the position to gangrene appeared in 11th, and some marks of erysipelatous inflammation on the surface of this limb. This inflammation continued to increase, and extensive sloughing soon took place from the wound; and though it was dressed twice a day, and the most powerful antiseptics used, the fetor was nearly insupportable. The patient continued to sink; the erysipelas extended over both lower extremities; the sloughing and offensive discharge increased; he was very restless and in great pain, till two days before his death, when he became comatose, and at length died on the 2d of May. There was reason to believe that he had been habitually addicted to the immoderate use of ardent spirit. The ward was fumigated, before and after his death, with the gas of chlorine, and all means that were practicable while the patients remained in it, were employed to purify it. As soon as he was dead, everything connected with his bedding establishment was removed, and the mattress on which he had lain was so much injured, that it was never used again in the house.

2. The subject of the second case, a healthy young man, was admitted in consequence of a fracture of the tibia and fibula of the left leg just above the ankle. The accident occurred on the 8th of June, near the Hospital, and the patient was brought immediately there. On the 12th there was some appearance of erysipelatous inflammation about the ankle, and on the 16th it had extended up the leg, and appeared also on the face about the left eye. The disease now rapidly spread, the face and whole head became enormously swollen, a black spot showed itself on the limb near the ankle, and the patient was affected with a violent delirium. These symptoms were unabated till the 26th, when a favorable change took place, and the inflammation gradually subsided, without the occurrence of sloughing. By the 1st of July the disease was nearly gone, but on the 11th there was a slight return, which continued a day or two only, for there was no vestige of it on the 16th; he was discharged August 2d, perfectly well. It may be perhaps worth while to remark, that during the violence of the erysipelatous inflammation, there seemed to be no disposition whatever in the bones to unite. This patient occupied a ward on a story below the one in which the other patient died, and between the wards occupied by those patients there was no communication.

3. On the 15th of June, a young man laboring under fever, was suddenly attacked with erysipelas, which appeared first in the face, and spread with great rapidity, affecting the eyelids to such an extent as to close the eyes

completely. He was delirious from the first appearance of the erysipelatous inflammation, and sunk under it on the 18th. He was of course under the care of the physician.

4. The next case occurred on the 21st of June, in a medical patient, who was just recovering from a severe attack of continued fever, by which he was extremely reduced. The disease showed itself about the face and head, and the patient died on the fourth day after its appearance.

5. On the 27th of June a large tumor, situated near the angle of the jaw, was removed from a healthy woman of about 40 years of age. The operation, from the size and situation of the tumor, was necessarily severe, and the external carotid artery was tied. All appearances were favorable till July 1st, when there was a slight indication of erysipelas on the right cheek under the eye; the wound however continued to look well. On the 2d the disease had extended, and the wound began to assume an unhealthy aspect. The eyelids were so much swollen as to close the eyes, and the patient was delirious. The inflammation continued to increase daily, suppuration took place about the upper eyelids, the wound assumed an unfavorable aspect, and began to slough. On the 8th she was decidedly worse; her pulse was small and rapid; the delirium very much increased; she had had no sleep for forty eight hours, and refused to take both medicine and food. Some sleep having been procured on the night of the 8th, she was found better on the following morning. She became more rational on the 10th; the inflamma

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