medical sketch of this sweeping pestilence. He premises his observations with a brief notice of the locality and meteorological character of the place. The surface of the island he states to be low, and the interior of it to be occupied with logoons of stagnant water, which are surrounded by marshes. During the prevalence of southerly winds, marine substances, both animal and vegetable, are thrown in great quantities on the beach; from these there soon arises a pestilential effluvium. Allenton, which is the naval depot, is on the northwestern shore; it is located between the harbor and a lagoon, on the lowest part of the island, and exposed to the lethiferous breath of the winds which sweep over the island. The average temperature for nine months of the year is little less than 90 deg. ; the heat unrelieved by sea breezes. Sometimes there occurs a northerly wind, with great and sudden reduction of temperature. The causes to which the disease was referrible were, 1st, Miasmata. To these, conveyed by the nocturnal breezes, the men exposed themselves at night, on account of the extreme heat, in the open chambers of the barracks. Not an individual thus exposed escaped the disease. Intemperance, atmospheric vicissitudes, heat, fatigue, unwholesome food, &c., were, as usual, exciting causes. Symptoms.-The disease was ushered in by a stage of torpor, This was marked with rigor, pain in the head, back and limbs; nausea and vomiting, exceedingly obstinate, of vitiated bile; oppression and soreness in the epigastrium; tongue covered with a viscid, white or yellowish coat; bowels torpid, and evacuations foul and acrid; countenance peculiarly anxious; surface cold till reaction occurred. Sometimes these symptoms increased till death. Reaction, however, generally took place, accompanied with aggravated pains in the head, vascular excitement, febrile heat, face flushed, eyes swollen, tongue red, and in several cases covered with a dry brownish crust, skin hot and dry, pains excruciating, thirst intolerable, and the more so because all drinks were immediately rejected. Sometimes these symptoms were so violent as to produce immediate death. If not, they were followed by the period of remission, which was characterized by a more or less complete abatement of all the symptoms. Though sometimes able to walk about, the patient was generally in a low, languid state. This stage in about twelve hours terminated in a second paroxysm. The symptoms of reaction were renewed, but were less strong than in the first, because of the powers of life being in a degree exhausted. The prognosis, therefore, was to be drawn, not so much from the absolute violence of the symptoms in this stage, as from the apparent ability or inability in the system to endure them. When in the second paroxysm the pains were borne with more patience, the gastric irritation less, the thirst more tolerable, the alvine evacuations more healthy, the prognosis was favorable, and vice versa. In the violent cases, the system seemed to be overwhelmed with the above symptoms; the mental disturbance became extreme; countenance lurid; pulse frequent and vibrating; extreme anxiety and restlessness. These were succeeded, in some cases, by another remission, less complete, and this again by another effort of nature; but, in most, death anticipated this result. In the third paroxysm the patient became insensible of his situation; eyes dull and glassy; pulse slow; skin livid, yellow and cold; appetite voracious; black vomit; hemorrhage. aspersions were found salutary, also epispastics. The third indication was best accomplished by mercurial cathartics, and espe cially by subjecting the system t mercurial action. In the fourth stage, the patient being either convalescent or else apparently relieved, it became the object of the physician, in the first case, to facilitate recovery by the use of mild tonics and bland diet. But in the second a last effort was made against the disease by employing, in cases of black vomit, large cathartics of calomel, also charcoal and oil of turpentine combined. For the hemorrhage nothing could be employed with any effect. North American Journal It appears, then, that Dr. T. in the treatment of this epidemi relied more on calomel than on a other remedies, and this com dence seems to have been the re papers are well drawn up, an will be read with interest, es pecially by those who practise in southern latitudes.-Philadel phia Journal of Med. and Surg. Appearances after death.-In one case the visceral inflammation wás confined to the peritoneal coverings of the stomach, duodenum, bladder, &c. ; the liver was much engorged, and the spleen so much so as to resemble a coagulum. In another case the interior of the stomach exhibited the ravages of disease, it being filled with the matter of black vomit, and its mucous membrane disorganized. In the treatment of this formida-sult of careful observation. His ble disease the practitioner sought, 1st, to interrupt the cold stage; 2d, to moderate the excitement in that of reaction; 3d, to prolong the remission; 4th, to facilitate convalescence. The first was best accomplished by a mercurial cathartic, the gastric irritability precluding other internal remedies. Epispastics were simultaneously applied to the stomach. These sometimes interrupted the cold stage. Emetics were beneficial when irritability of the stomach did not forbid them. In the stage of reaction the remedies were bleeding, pro re nata, once generally sufficient; mercurial cathartics, highly important, and the most effectual agents to restrain reaction; in some cases two or three scruple doses were given in a day; cold Fossil Bones.-Plates of above six hundred fossil bones, the re mains of an ancient world, recen ly discovered in the neighborhood of Issoire, in France, are prepar ing for publication. They belong to more than fifty species of animals now extinct; among whic are elephants, horses, tapirs, rhe noceri, eleven or twelve kinds of stags, large cats, oxen, bears, dogs, otters, &c. The original form of all these bones is perfectly preserved; and it appears by experiment, that even their chemical nature is but little altered. London Literary Gazette. BOSTON, TUESDAY, JAN. 8, 1828. PERANCE. Six or eight years ago a gentleman of this city, much interested in the suppression of intemperance, took the official list of names of all persons who had died in Boston for one year, and in order to ascertain what proportion of this number had come to an untimely and wretched end by the excessive use of ardent spirit, he called on the physicians who had attended the deceased, or their surviving families, to inquire into the subject. The medical attendants, and more still the friends or relatives of the deceased, were often backward and unwilling to say what they knew respecting the questions put to them. Notwithstanding the difficulties which the gentleman experienced in getting at the truth, he informed us that it appeared distinctly from the facts which thus came to his knowledge, that one in five of the whole number had died sooner or later from intemperance. The gentleman is not now in town, but from the impression which his report made on our feelings at the time, there remains no doubt that the recollection of his estimate is correct. THE SMALLPOX. This disease is appearing in various directions and exhibiting its true character, that of a marauding enemy who is determined to devastate or destroy every subject who is not protected against his encroachments. We in charity hope that just so much alarm will prevail on this subject as shall rouse the indifferent and torpid to a sense of their danger, and impel them to accept the proffered security which has so long been held out to them in vain. It would be a just exercise of authority to say to the citizens of Boston, that, three months from this day, any inhabitant of this city, falling sick of smallpox, not arising from his own negligence or other fault, shall not be subjected to the inconvenience of being removed from his own dwelling. This is predicated on a previous provision for the gratuitous vaccination of the poor; this would place the danger and inconvenience where it ought to be placed, on the guilty, and not on the innocent. MOXA. Where it is intended to apply a burning substance to the skin, we know of no material so convenient and manageable for the purpose as spunk or touchwood, a soft velvety substance found in the heart of decaying maple and some other kinds of wood in a state of decomposition. When this material is dry and ignited, it continues to burn without flame, till the whole piece is consumed. The effect produced by this moxibustion is in proportion to the size of touchwood applied, or if by mistake the impression of the burning body shall be found to be greater than can be well borne, or was intended, the moxa can be instantly removed. We donbt whether any artificial moxa can be so perfect as this which nature provides. SELLERS & ROSE, CUTLERS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENT MAKERS, 344, Washington St., opposite Avery St. ALL kinds of surgical instruments and cutlery are made, ground, repaired, polished, honed, &c., with the finest edge for use. New penknife blades are fitted to old handles. S. & R. make the needles for Acupuncture, of any size, agreeably to order. DR R. WILLIAM BRADFORD, head of Poplar Street, has for sale a good Electrical Machine for medical purposes, and for amusing experiments. Also, Surgical Instruments, and a quantity of Liv erwort. MEDICINAL PLANTS. the retail business, very particular attention is given to the preparation of all compound medicines, and no articles delivered but of the first quality. Physicians and families may depend on the most strict and personal attention to their orders. Black Currant Wine of superior quality, constantly for sale.-Also, Swain's Panacea. Medicine chests for ships and families, put up and replenished at short notice, with directions suitable for their contents. CHARLES WHITE, Corner of Washington and Winter Sts., H from France and England, his fall supply of DRUGS, MEDICINES, and SUB GEONS' INSTRUMENTS; among them are, AS received, by the late arrivals delphine, brucine, emetine, strychnine, of quinine, sulphate of rhubarb, drop morphine, veratrine, narcotine, sulphate glasses, stomach tubes, needles facepuncture, &c. &c. RETAIL APOTHECARY SHOP. RICHARD A NEWELL, Druggist, his friends and customers, that he conSummer Street, respectfully informs fines himself wholly to the retail business, and has on hand a complete assortment of genuine Medicines, which will be sold as low as can be purchased in the city. R. A. N. keeps constantly for sale, Dr. Moore's Essence of Life; Anderson's A LARGE supply of Herbs, Extracts Cough Drops; Spring's Pulmonic Elixir &c. has been lately received, as prepared in the best manner of the Shakers. Among these are Rose Flowers, Poppy do. 'Sweet Marjoram, Balm, a small quantity of Liverwort, Slippery Elm Bark, pulverized for internal and external use; Mockerson Root, &c. &c. Constanly for sale, at Wholesale and Retail by Joseph Kidder, 70 Court Street. EPHRAIM L. ELIOT, 271, Washington St. corner of Winter St. a new and valuable medicine, prepared SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, AVID & JOHN HENSHAW & CO., OFFERS for sale a general assortment Central Wharf, have for sale, a very large D33, India Street, near the head of among which are Calomel, Tartar Emetic, Blue Pill, and Calcined Magnesia, imported from Apothecaries' Hall, London, expressly for physicians' prescriptions; as he confines himself principally to - assortment of Surgeons' Instruments, Drugs, Paints, Dyestuffs, Window Glass &c., at very low prices. Gentlemen wish ing to purchase are respectfully invited to Aug. 21. call. 6ino. Published weekly, by John Cotton, 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 relating to the present or future concerns of this paper, to be addressed, always postpaid, to John G. Coffin.-Advertisements, 1 dollar a square. MEDICAL INTELLIGENCER. JOHN G. COFFIN, M. D., EDITOR. DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND TO THE MEANS OF PREVENTING AND OF CURING DISEASES. VOL. 5. TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1828. CHIMIE ORGANIQUE. Chimie Organique, appliquée a la Physiologie et a la Médecine, contenant l'Analyse des Substances Animales et Vegetales; par LEOPOLD GMELIN, traduit de l'Allemand par J. INEICHIN, avec des Notes et des Additions sur diverses parties de la Chimie et de la Physiologie, par M. VIREY. Paris, 1823. THERE are few departments of medical science to which the physicians of our country have paid less attention than to medical chemistry and physiological botany. The cultivation of these sciences is so intimately connected with the improvement of medicine, that we may confidently expect it to attract, from day to day, the increasing attention of our countrymen. Some of the most valuable additions to modern pharmacy have been the result of chemical analysis, applied to the separation of the proximate principles of vegetables. The success of these investigations must lead to new researches, that will in all probability produce as great a change in pharmacy as has already been made in chemistry itself. How much would the power of medicine over disease be augmented, if all the active principles of vegetables could be separated in a crystalline form, from the mouldering and putrescent NO. 35. fibre, of which they now share the decay and corruption! How greatly would the comfort of the patient be increased if the nauseous drenches of the old pharmacopoeias could be changed for concentrated essences, like quinia and cinchonia! Since the time of Newmann, till recently, but little has been added to our knowledge of the chemical characters of medicinal plants. The experiments which this accurate and industrious chemist performed on the solubility in alcohol and water, of almost every article of the materia medica, are still referred to as of the highest authority. The state of science at that time indicated neither the necessity nor the means of more minute research, and Newmann accomplished all that could be expected from him. Within a few years several of the European chemists have devoted themselves to these researches, and have opened a path which promises to lead to most important discoveries. The work before us is a compilation of the facts observed in organic chemistry up to the year 1823, and though in many cases neither the relative nor absolute quantity of the component elements of substances is given, much useful information may be gleaned from its pages. |