Dr. Gregory, Mr. Lawrence, he has performed, and from the many observations which he has made of their results, Dr. Chiarenti does not hesitate to say, that he regards the blowing of air into the lungs, as a means, not only capable of relieving with great promptness the attacks of asthma, but also of radically curing this disease, when it is not the effect of great organic alteration. Antol. di Firenze, Sept. 1825. Mr. Wardrop, Mr. Bacot and others, decided that tracheotomy should not be performed, unless the symptoms of suffocation became very urgent. We are at a loss to know what tracheotomy would have done for a case where the body was lodged in one of the bronchia. Bronchotomy,in the strict sense of the word, could alone have given the means of removing the cherrystone, and this must have been done by opening the chest. He would have been a bold operator indeed, who would have undertaken such a step! The remedy would probably have been at least as bad as the disease. Medico Chirur. Review. DEATH IN CONSEQUENCE OF A A strong and healthy young woman, aged thirtysix, was bitten in the region of the left eye by an irritated cock which flew at her. She paid little attention to the From the N. England Med. Rev. and Journ. pain and the bite, and for about a A CURE FOR THE ASTHMA. BY DR. FRANCESCO CHIARENTI. This gentleman having observed that no means would relieve those who were affected with asthma so promptly as a free exposure to fresh air, and a free current of wind, he imagined that distending the lungs with air by means of bellows would produce the same salutary effect. He, therefore, being himself afflicted with this disease, introduced the nose of the bellows into his mouth, and having compressed his nose, he blew with considerable force, and for a considerable time, a large quantity of atmospheric air into the lungs. The operation was completely successful, and that with the aid of this simple instrument he could overcome in a few minutes the most violent attacks of the asthma. After having performed this experiment on himself a number of times, he then performed it on others, and with the same success. From the numerous experiments which week different ointments and plasters were employed. The surgeon, however, often observed that when the dressings were changed, there were convulsive motions of the whole body; and a spasmodic contraction on the face of the injured side. The left eye became prominent, the pupil was dilated, and the globe of the eye was sometimes moved involuntarily, and in various directions: there was also trismus. These symptoms, and indeed all the symptoms, constitute a sort of practical illustration of Mr. Bell's views of the nervous system. The plasters, when removed, were always found covered with little granulations, and rather moist. The wound had penetrated the superciliary muscle, as far as the bone, near the upper orbitar foramen, and looked healthy. A hard detached substance, of about the size of a lentil, was discovered at the bottom of it, of a calcareous nature. The treatment is not detailed: but pains in structures about the articulation were much injured. The fibula the back and limbs came on, want of sleep, difficulty of deglutition, stronger convulsive movements, was also fractured at some disand constipation. Involuntary tance from its lower extremity. stools succeeded, complete rigidity of the upper part of the body, diminution of the intellectual powers, groans, trismus, tetanus, and death. Arch. Gen. from Rust's Mag. Mr. T. removed the separated portion of tibia, and reduced the dislocation, bringing the soft parts together, as well as he could, and retaining them in coaptation by proper dressings. The limb was then laid, with the knee bent, in a hollow splint, another short splint being placed along the inside of the leg. case side of the leg. Evaporating lotions were applied. The febrile excitement was not great; and, though some sloughing took place, suppuration was established, granulation ensued, and the man did well.-Lancet. AMAUROSIS CURED BY VOMITING. Professor Polidoro, of Florence, has lately treated a case of amaurosis with complete success, by sdministering from one to three grains of emetic tartar in an infusion of the arnica montana every morning. Vomiting was produced regularly by each dose, and in about a fortnight the patient's sight was restored, though for twenty years she had scarcely been able to distinguish light from darkness. This is a very instructive case. It teaches us the great power of emetics in producing absorption, and we think the same remedy, with a sufficient degree of perseverance, might prove useful in many of a very troublesome class of diseases.--Journ. of For. Med. COMPOUND DISLOCATION OF THE ANKLE JOINT. A very bad case of this kind lately occurred in the hospital practice of Mr. Tyrrel, and was treated successfully. A man of middle age, had his foot caught under the gate of the swingbridge in the London Docks, by which the ankle joint was dislocated, and the integuments lacerated so as to expose the joint. The tibia protruded two inches or more, and was fractured across, the extremity being separated from the rest of the bone. The other CASE OF OBSTINATE EPISTAXIS. A young man, aged nineteen, was attacked with bleeding at the nose, which lasted two days, and was so abundant that he several times fainted. Mineral acids, ice to the back of the neck, the inspiration of cold vinegar, and other means, failed to arrest the bleeding. Dr. Brunner, who was sent for on the third day, caused powdered gum arabic to be blown through a quill up the nostrils, and the hemorrhage ceased.Rev. Med., from Hufeland's Jour. CURE FOR THE STING OF WASPS. It has been found by experience that the best remedy for the sting of wasps and bees, is to apply to the part affected common culinary salt, moistened with a little water; and even in a case where a person has accidentally swallowed a wasp in a draught of any kind of liquor, and been stung by it in the pipe, the alarming symptoms that ensue may be almost instantly relieved by swal owing repeated doses of water saturated with salt. J. C. Lond. Mech. Magazine. At a Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy held on Monday last, Dr. Benjamin Ellis was elected Professor of the Materia Medica in the place of Dr. Samuel Jackson, resigned. When will the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy hold a similar meeting? EFFECTS OF INTEMPERANCE. A coroner's inquest was held last week on the body of Henry Bebee, a notorious consumer of whiskey, who was found dead in a barn near Ogdensburgh. The jury returned a verdict that his death was occasioned by excessive intempe rance. CORRECTIONS.-At page 73d of this volume, June 12th, we copied from a newspaper the death of Samuel Hills, as occurring from the Thompsonian practice in Surry, Maine; it should have been Surry in NewHampshire. We understand the deceased was a brother in law and a near neighbor to Thompson, by whom the fatal process was ordered. The readers of this paper are desired to substitute the word instances for "circumstances," in our last number, page 135, eleventh line from bottom. To SUBSCRIBERS.-Gentlemen re siding out of New England, who may direct this paper to be sent to them by mail, are desired to name the county, as well as the State and town, or place, in which they reside. DICTIONARY. Angina pectoris, a disease of the chest, characterized by these symptoms, an acute pain at the lower part of the breastbone, palpitation of the heart, laborious breathing, and a sense of suffocation. Aorta, is the great bloodvessel, or artery, which goes out from the left side of the heart, and by its ramifications conveys the blood to every part of the body. Anasarca and ascites, are species of dropsy. Bronchia, or bronchiæ, are the branches of the bronchos, or windpipe. Ilium, the haunchbone. Post mortem, literally, after death. As now used to express the examination or dissection of a dead body, some suitable time after life has ceased, it has the import of an adjective, though there is no word in our language which is so precise and convenient for this purpose as this, or any one exactly equivalent to it in this sense. Tendo Achillis, the great tendon going down on the back part of the leg to be attached to the heel bone; so called because the mother of Achilles held him by this part when she plunged him into the river Styx to make him invulnerable. Tibia and fibula, are the bones of the leg. Trismus, lockedjaw; a spasmodic rigidity of the muscles of the lower jaw. Vena cava, the superior and inferior veins of this name, bring back the blood from every part of the system to the heart. Ventricle; the heart is divided into the right and left ventricle, the opening into which, on each side, somewhat resembling the ear, is called the auricle. Vertebra, the irregular bones forming the spine. NU ADVERTISEMENTS. MEDICAL RECORDER. TUMBER 39 of the Medical Recorder will be ready for delivery on the 1st 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 relation to the Medical Recorder. Journal has received * This year, more than two hundred additional subscribers, making in the whole perhaps more than all the other American quarterly and monthly Medical Journals together. The Recorder contains at least 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 whole. 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? gist, at No. 188, Washington Street, op- ́ posite the Marlboro' Hotel, where Physicians and Families may depend on the orders.-No Medicines will be put up unmost strict and personal attention to their less of the first quality. N. B. Medicines delivered at any hour of the night. ATHENEUM: OR, SPIRIT OF THE ENGLISH MAGAZINES. JUST published by John Cotton, 184 Our Visit to the Hopkinses-Corporal JOSEPH KIDDER, 70, Court St., OE FFERS for sale a full assortment of quality. Confining himself principally to Drugs and Medicines of the best the retail business, every attention will be given to meet the wishes of Physicians and others in the preparation and delivery of medicines. constant personal attention. Prescriptions will receive prepared as above. Rochelle and Soda Powders carefully Also, constantly for sale, Black Currant Wine, prepared by Mr. Pomeroy. ADAMS' PATENT, SWELLED BEAM IT Made at 422, Washington St. Boston. T has neither screw nor lacing, and may be taken down or put up in one minute. It gives the luxury of a sacking this bedstead is no greater, with all its as tight as a drumhead. The price of improvements, than the heavy, cumberRETAIL DRUG STORE. some, oldfashioned ones.-This foundaENRY WHITE would inform his tration of neatness, taste and economy, tion of tranquillity and repose,-this illus now established himself as a retail drug- above. April 24. 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 monthe 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. VOL. 5. TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1827. From the Philadelphia Monthly Journal of Remarks on the Injuries resulting from Confinement of the Chest by Dress. By N. R. ŠMITH, M.D. IN January last, the body of a young female, an unfortunate victim of vice, was brought into the anatomical hall of Jefferson College, for dissection. On exposing the chest, a remarkable deformity presented itself, occasioned by distortion of the breast bone. About two inches from the top of the sternum, where the first piece of this bone joins the second, was an indentation nearly an inch in depth, immediately above which the bone abruptly protruded, so as to form an obvious tumor between the breasts. The ribs, also, attached to the protuberant piece of sternum, were of course more arched than those below, giving to the whole upper part of the chest a more free expansion than belonged to the lower. The pit in the sternum was precisely where the extremity of the busk, or corset board, is usually worn. This, together with the confined aspect of the lower part of the chest, instantly suggested, to every one who saw it, the cause, which unquestionably was the wearing of the tightly laced corset before the form of the individual had been fully developed. NO. 10. On examining the contents of the thorax, the capacity of which had thus been encroached on, it was found that the subject had been the victim of pulmonary consumption, one of the most important predisposing causes of which, we know to be a confined chest. It cannot be doubted, therefore, that the fatal disease, in this instance, had been aggravated, and might have been provoked, by the habit of dress. The above instance of artificial malconformation, will by no means (.) appear incredible to those who know how susceptible is the human form, in early life, of being moulded to almost any configuration, and that without the infliction of much pain on the individual. Even the shape of the head, the most rigid part of our bodies, is, in some parts of the world, brought under the plastic dominion of fashion. We have the fashion of flat heads on the Rocky Mountainsround heads among the turbaned Turks, and long heads among the Macrocephali. Indeed, there is scarcely any part of the form that fastidious man has not attempted to amend, as if believing that nature's journeymen had made us, and not made us well. I know not which would appear the most ridiculous in the eyes of the other, the waspwaisted lady of our own country, or the Chinese belle, with a foot no bigger than a Man |