Finely powdered strychnine promotes the digestion of ulcers, and stimulates the locomotive system, without exciting the brain. It happens also in certain palsies, such as that which is occasioned by the subcarbonate or acetate of lead, that the power of motion is restored without the production of any violent or unpleasant shock. With respect to this medicine in general, M. Bailly observes, that it often excites a marked turgescence about the head, so far heightening the color of the face as to indicate the suspension of the remedy, if not bloodletting.

The oxymuriate of mercury produces an intense sensation of heat, and corrodes the parts with which it comes in contact. Sometimes, however, it has been known to relieve the pains attendant on inflammation or tumefaction of the membrane of a bone.

Calomel also excites pain, particularly if rubbed on a recently blistered surface. In this way it may cure old syphilitic affections; but as a set off against these advantages, there is sometimes a difficulty in keeping up the action, as the absorbent powers of the surface decrease by long continued application.

Some practitioners suppose that absorption of any article applied to the surface of the body never takes place without friction, or unless it be forced through the cuticle by pressure or friction, and that when the odor of urine indicates an absorption of turpentine, when externally applied, it is in consequence of the vapor being inhaled. In order to ascertain if turpentine can be conveyed to the mass of blood from the surface of the body, the writer lately exposed the surface

of his body to the vapor of turpentine diffused in that of water, at the temperature of 20 Farh. He also rubbed the oil of turpentine over his knees and the course of the sciatic nerve, which were affected with rheumatism.

This experiment was made in a vapor bath at Mr. Green's establishment in Great Marlborough Street, which admits of the air within it being completely changed before the person leaves it, and has not the slightest smell of the article which had been diffused in it. No portion escapes during the time the air is impregnated with the turpentine so as to be inhaled. Soon after leaving the case, he experienced the sensation of intoxication with considerable nausea, which at the time he attributed to an absorption of turpentine. The urine voided during the night and the following day having no particular odor, he ascribed the disorder of the brain and stomach he had experienced soon after quitting the bath, to the action of heat. Three days after this experiment, he inhaled the vapor of turpentine for about a minute, and the urine evacuated two hours afterwards, emitted the peculiar violet odor. He therefore concludes that neither vapor, nor a volatile article with friction, is absorbed from the surface of the body. He intends to make further experiments to ascertain the fact.

TANNIN.

A Dr. Porta has lately successfully administered this article in cases of chronic hemorrhage from the uterus, and also in acute cases after abstraction of blood. When the disease is attendant on structural disease he has found it use

remedy. The most simple, efficacious, manageable, and cheap vapor bath, is that lately invented by Mr. Thompson, the travelling equipage manufacturer, of 116, Longacre, denominated the Domestic vapor bath. Of this useful invention, the following is a rep

THE DOMESTIC VAPOR BATH.

Of all the domestic apparatus that have been invented for medical purposes, or as auxiliaries to medicine, that of the vapor bath is the most useful. In cases of recent cold, by promoting perspiration, and producing an equal distribution of blood throughout the body, used on the first symptom of having taken cold, it is capable of preventing many formidable diseases, as inflammation of the lungs, liver, and intestines; and when either of these diseases has taken place, it is often of more efficacy in checking its progress, and in producing a favorable termination, than internal medicines, and is unquestionably, in the majority of cases, necessary to secure the beneficial operation of internal remedies. On the first attack of rheumatism, gout, or catarrh, it generally succeeds in preventing a disturbance of the general health and in speedily terminating the malady. In cases of spasms of the lungs or bowels, or retention of urine from a spasmodic or inflammatory affection of the sphincter muscle of the bladder, it affords a most valuable

Here is inserted an engraving of the bath.

The use of this apparatus is attended with no risk. The boiler is supplied with a safety valve, the steam is conveyed by a tube into a receiver at the bottom of the case, and the person inside has the power of regulating the degree of temperature by a stop cock. When it is deemed necessary for the head to be subjected to the action of the vapor, or for the patient to inhale the vapor, as in cases of recent catarrh, irritation, or inflammatory excitement in the membrane lining the windpipe, the upper portion of the case admits of being raised, so as to receive the head. The vapor bath is exempt from the great objection to the warm water bath, namely, pressure on the body, which is often so great in plethoric habits, as to occasion congestion of the vessels of the brain. It has likewise the great advantage of being used without the least inconvenience in the bedchamber of an invalid. In cases of chronic and acute affections of the skin, spasmodic or irritative asthma, and of chronic inflammation of the internal lining of the windpipe, catarrhal consumption, the vapor may be impregnated with the volatile medicinal properties of vegetables, or of tar, &c.

In the Ninth Volume of this work we have described a vapor

try? Is the fault in our medical institutions or societies, in the practitioner, or in the public? Does it arise from the prejudices of vulgar superstition, or from the lamentable ignorance and the unprincipled management of some of its professors?" Other similar and pertinent questions are submitted by the orator of the occasion to the contemplation of his hearers.

We apprehend that the present degraded state of the medical profession in many parts of our country, does not arise from any one cause, or one class of causes, but that it comes from many and various causes, and mainly from the three following sources,-1, from public sentiment; 2, from the medical profession itself; and 3, from the want of a welldirected legislative influence.

When the public mind, the great body of the people, shall be so far enlightened as to entertain just views of the value of health, of the means of preserving it when good, and of restoring it when deranged or impaired; they will come of course to entertain more correct sentiments of medical science and of medical men. They will perceive that all active medicines, all that are entitled to be called remedies, when properly prepared and skilfully administered, may be, and are, the appointed means of curing disease and of saving life; and they will also perceive that these same substances as prepared and exhibited by incompetent and dishonest agents, will of course produce the contrary effects. The public mind, when duly informed on the subject, cannot fail at once to see the immense difference between a good and

a bad physician, and that the latter is one of the most dangerous and criminal beings in society. On a thousand occasions, and under as many aspects and disguises he may, without being suspected of ignorance or fraud, irreparably injure those who give him their confidence.

It is the easiest thing in the world for a man of address and cunning, though miserably weak to do good, to deceive his patients as to the nature of their complaints and the proper treatment of them, and to persuade them that they have been faithfully and ably attended while they are becoming the dupes and victims of unfounded and unprincipled pretensions. It belongs to the people then to discriminate between the pseudophysician and the wellinformed and honest practitioner who alone is worthy of their confidence, cooperation and gratitude.

2. It is to be regretted that the conduct of physicians themselves has too often contributed to the injury and degradation of their own art and profession. In place of devoting themselves to the preparation and exercise of their neverending labors and duties, they have preferred the easier method of cultivating the popular arts of pleasing the multitude, more for their own advantage than for theirs. They have chosen to rise above their fairer competitors in the popular estimation by disingenuous means, rather than by deserving a fairer fame. They have, in fact, in various ways dishonored themselves, and have no right to complain when the public have held them to be dishonorable men.

But we need not add that to all