for the most part owing to neglect; and this neglect arises from prejudice; it being supposed by many, that it would be wrong to remove it; and thus it is permitted to accumulate, in unsightly and injurious quantities. As this complaint, if it may be so termed in its commencement, originates from a neglect of cleanliness, it should be removed, after it has occurred, by suitable means; or be prevented, by proper precautions. If it be neglected, this now inoffensive scurf may degenerate into a real disease, and require time for its removal. The proper plan of management, will consist, 1st, in its prevention; and 2d, in its cure after it has taken place. 1st. To prevent this, all that is necessary is to have the head of the child regularly washed every morning with water, or with a little fine soap and water; to have it well wiped and dried with a fine cloth; and then brushed with a brush, of sufficient stiffness to penetrate to the skin; and not to have the caps of the child of a too thick material. 2d. After the incrustation is formed, it should be rubbed with sweet oil, or fine lard, at night, and washed off with a strong solution of borax and water--that is, in the proportion of an ounce of the borax to three half pints of boiling water. The borax water should be a little warmed, before the head is washed with it; and this repeated daily, till the scurf is removed. After the scurf is removed, the part should be washed daily for a few days with the solution of borax, which will effectually prevent its reformation. Should, however, the skin be neath the scurf be inflamed, or yield a purulent discharge, the parts should be rubbed once a day with the tar ointment, having first prepared the parts by washing, &c. as just directed. We have seen this scurf attempted to be removed, by simply washing and combing the head. We do not approve of this plan; as the fine comb, which is always employed, frequently produces so much irritation, as to increase the disease. A brush is the most proper instrument for this purpose, as just suggested. W. P. DEWEES. SKETCHES OF PARIS, FROM A TRAVELLER'S NOTES. The "Hotel Royal des Invalides" is one of the most elegant and benevolent institutions in France; it was founded by Louis 14th, and is devoted to invalid officers and soldiers, who are clothed, lodged and boarded in a style of much elegance and even splendor. The officers dine on plate. All who have grown old in military service, or who have been disabled by wounds, can here retire on a small pension, and be supported at the charge of the state. It contains a library of twenty thousand volumes: the chapel is very beautiful, and contains the tombs of Turenne and Vauban. From the dome of this chapel the flags taken in battle, to the number of two thousand, were formerly suspended, but were burnt by the invalids lest they should fall into the hands of the allies in 1813. It must have been a fine sight to see these two thousand flags waving over the heads of the wounded veterans, when assembled for mass, more especially as the chapel itself is one of the The EPILEPSY CURED BY NITRATE OF most beautiful in France. Hotel Royal des Invalides can contain about seven thousand inmates; it is divided into twentythree squares, or open courts, around which the building is arranged in a facade or gallery, which gives a fine promenade in wet weather. The portraits of all the deceased Marshals of France are placed in the "Hotel des Invalides." The effect of this splendid institution, doubtless is, to increase that military courage for which the French are so celebrated. "Royal Veterinary School."About two leagues from Paris, in the village of Alford, is the Royal Veterinary School, for the treatment of the diseases of the horse and other animals. It contains a library, a collection of anatomical preparations in which the structure and diseases of the horse are represented; also some surgical instruments. Courses of lectures are given by regular Professors at certain seasons, and, as in the Hospital, a visit is made every morning to the different wards. The expense of keeping a horse in this establishment is about 50 sous a day. It usually contains sixty or seventy. A great number of pupils are here instructed in the principles of animal medicine, and practitioners occasionally sent out from it to treat the epidemic maladies of the neighboring country. The establishment is not confined to the treatment of horses; oxen, sheep, and other animals are also admitted. The course of instruction is very nearly the same as that of our medical schools, and lectures are given on the anatomy, physiology, surgery, &c. of the races above named.-Microcosm. SILVER. Dr. Balardini has added one to the many instances on record of the efficacy of this remedy in epileptic fits. The patient was a young woman, aged 21 years, who, from her infancy, was subject to this complaint. It had now become very severe, very frequent, and the paroxysms often followed by temporary alienation of mind. Various remedies had been used in vain, when Dr. B. gave the argentum nitratum a fair trial. He commenced with two grains a day, and gradually increased the dose. The medicine was continued three months, and never produced any bad effects. Occasionally it acted slightly on the bowels. The pa tient was cured. We are inclined to think that this medicine will be more used than heretofore. If epilepsy be dependent on organic disease of the brain, we do not see that the nitrate of silver can do any harm, but probably good, if due attention be paid to local evacuations from the head, and counterirritation. If, as is very often the case, the disease be connected with irritation in the primæ viæ, there is no other medicine more likely to remove this irritation, or at least to remove the morbid sensibility of the gastric and intestinal nerves, than the nitrate of silver.-Medico Chir. Rev. VACCINATION. A Letter from Dr. Gregory to the Editor of the London Medical and Physical Journal. SIR,-Your last Number contains some critical observations, by Mr. NORTH, on the mode of vaccinating which I recommended in a former Number of your Journal. Were I to allow these remarks to pass unnoticed, I might, perhaps, by some of your readers, be considered as tacitly assenting to the correctness of his criticisms. As this is by no means the case, I trust you will favor me by the insertion of a few observations in reply. Mr. North's principal objections apply, first, to my statement that the success of the operation is not influenced by the quantity of blood that flows from the incisions; secondly, to my recommendation of a very sharp lancet; thirdly, to my dogma, that the vaccine lymph is fully elaborated or developed by the fourth or fifth day, and is even then more intense than on the eighth day; fourthly, to my practice of making six or eight punctures. On each of these heads I have a few remarks to offer. is singular in this opinion, but I I 3. My opinion," that "vaccine lymph is in a state of great perfection and high intensity when first formed," is not, according to Mr. North, "in accordance with the perfect developement and formation of other morbid poisons." I should be much gratified by learning what are the morbid poisons. here specially referred to. have always been led to believe that the matter of chancre, gonorrhoa, psora, and ophthalmia, is capable of propagating each respective disease from the very moment of its formation. If this opinion is erroneous, I should wish to learn how long after the first appearance of gonorrhoeal running a patient may connect himself with women, without endangering their safety? 1. The question whether bleeding from the wounds be or be not indifferent to the success of the operation, may easily be decided by a few comparative trials; but Mr. North has assumed as an axiom, that by such bleeding the lymph is either washed away altogether or over diluted. I have yet to learn how these positions are proved. The fact that a pretty free flow of blood from the wounds does not al- 4. Mr. North objects to making ways, or necessarily, prevent a six or eight punctures, having somesuccessful result, is undeniable. I times, though such cases, he alhave witnessed it many times. If lows, are by no means common, seen seen "severe and unmanageable inflammation, and great general disturbance," arise from such a cause; whereas "troublesome symptoms rarely, if ever, occur from the insertion of two or three punctures." In reply to this I beg to observe, that local and constitutional disturbance accompanying vaccination appear to me to depend altogether on the habit of the child; and if its system be heated, or predisposed to inflammation, such ef it should be ascertained that, cæteris paribus, the greater the bleeding the less the chance of success, still Mr. North's theory is doubtful; for hitherto it has not been decided how long the virus must remain in contact with the wounded surface to produce its effect, whether seconds, minutes, or hours. 2. Mr. North states that "the very sharp lancets which I recommend are objectionable," and adds, "I will not say that Dr. Gregory fects will follow, whether one, two, six, or ten punctures are made. The fault lies, not in the number of punctures, but in the period chosen for the performance of the operation. The same child, two months before, or two months after, might have had double the number of incisions made, without any unpleasant consequences, local or general. Besides, if, with Mr. North, we look to the "developement of other morbid poisons," we shall have still further reason to question the correctness of this criticism. In smallpox the practitioner would find but very little disturbance, either local or general, though the papulæ scattered over the body, or even collected on the face, were twice or even three times eight in number. I have only further to add, that the mode of vaccination which I recommend is the result of considerable experience at the Smallpox Hospital, where, during the year 1825, 4003, and in the year 1826, 3006 persons were vaccinated, making a total of 7009 persons who have been under my observation during the short period of two years. I am, Sir, your very obedient GEORGE GREGORY. Jan. 6, 1827. CHARCOAL. Dr. Stevenson, in a paper in the Philadelphia Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences, on the medicinal properties of the common charcoal, carbo ligni, states that he has found it particularly useful in chronic cases of intermittent and remittent fever, especially in cases complicated with dysentery and diarrhoea; combined with bark, he has found it an excellent substitute for the alkaline and mercurial preparations. In cases of remittent bilious fever of a typhoid tendency, combined with columbo or cinchona in equal quantities, with the addition of calomel, camphor, and opium if required, he has found it of essential benefit. Qr. which of the remedies here mentioned were most efficient? Two cases of hepatitis, combined with pulmonary derangement are given, in which the ordinary remedies were administered without effect. Charcoal, all other remedies being laid aside, in doses of a teaspoonful morning and night, in milk, effected speedy relief. Med. Recorder. A letter from a person residing among the Cherokee Indians, says the Indians contemplate the establishment of a newspaper for the purpose of circulating general intelligence among the members of their nation. We hope the Editor will do us the favor of an exchange. CRITICISM. A just criticism is more welcome to a true philosopher, than the highest seasoned praise; the former promotes truth, the latter prejudices it. The article on the Massachusetts General Hospital in our last No. was sent to us by a friend, by itself, and we had put it in type before we knew it had previously appeared in the New England Medical Review would have been given to the source and Journal, otherwise due credit whence it originated. The Western Medical and Physical Journal.-We have just received the 2d number of this journal, which is published monthly in Cincinnati, Ohio. NU MEDICAL RECORDER. UMBER 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 Me dica 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. 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 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 * Quere-Is not this the best test that the manner in which the work is conducted is approved of? 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 SWIMMING SCHOOL. R. LIEBER'S Swimming School, sit Dule on the north side of the Mill Dam, will be opened for the reception of pupils on Wednesday next, 18th inst. Terms of admission, ten dollars for the season, payable in advance. Application to be made to Dr. Lieber at the Exchange Coffee House, from 12 to 2 o'clock, and from 3 to 4 o'clock, P. M. till Wednesday next, and afterwards, at the swimming school during school hours. Dr. L. teaches on the system of M. Pfuel, General in the Prussian Army, who introduced it in the regiments of Prussia and in many of the first cities of the kingdom, namely, Berlin, Coblentz, Breslau, Koningsberg, &c. A swimming school on the same system is now established in London, under the direction of another Prussian officer. Experience shows that a healthy person will usually acquire the art of swimming half an hour uninterruptedly, in about three weeks, taking a lesson every day. The school will be open daily, from half past five o'clock in the morning till one, and from four o'clock in the afternoon till eight. Dr. L. pledges himself that the strictest decorum shall be maintained in his school, and the safety of his pupils ensured, so long as they observe the regulations of the Institution, which will be printed on the cards of admission. July 14. 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. |