Dropsies of the ovaria are common; and tapping is often adopted as a mode of relief and cure, but generally fails; repetitions of this operation are made till the patient dies. If in these cases a free incision was made externally, and the membranous portion of the ovarium taken off, or the diseased parts removed, many might recover. May 30, 1827.

CHRONIC DIARRHEA.

There are many forms of this disease evidently dependent on ulceration or other organic lesion of the mucous membrane of the bowels, the consequence, or at least the sequence of dysentery. But there are some other cases of obstinate diarrhoea, where the disease goes on for years, and where dissection, after all, detects no organic change in the intestines. Dr. Baillie has described "a particular species of purging," which is but little known, and has generally proved fatal. The alvine discharges resemble a mixture of lime and water, with froth on the surface. It most commonly occurs in people who have resided in warm climates, and suffered from hepatic affections; but not exclusively in this class. When the disease is in a mild form, the evacuations are of the consistence of pudding, and of a pale color. Under such circumstances, and especially if the motions be occasionally figured, the patients may live many years with the complaint. They have usually a sallow countenance, are thin, but not greatly emaciated, --have tolerable appetites,-white coated tongues. Nothing particular can be detected when the abdomen is examined by the

hand. There is no tumor,--no pain on pressure,--but the bowels are generally distended with air. Dr. Baillie never had an opportunity of examining any patients who died of this disease, and therefore could not speak as to its pathology. But Mr. Wardrop, in a note. to his edition of Dr. Baillie's works, informs us that he had an opportunity of dissecting a patient who had been under Dr. B.'s care for this complaint, and that he found considerable thickening of the coats of the rectum and colon, great contraction of the calibre of the gut, with small, but deep ulcers interspersed over its surface. Dr. Seymour and Mr. Arnott, however, have each had an opportunity of examining the intestinal canal in this complaint; but in these instances, there was no breach of structure or organic alteration of any kind in the large or small intestines.

We have been induced to notice this subject in consequence of a remedy which has been introduced of late by Dr. Elliotson, at St. Thomas's Hospital-namely, the sulphate of copper, combined with opium. This zealous physician has given the remedy in a considerable number of cases of chronic diarrhoea, where all, or almost all other remedies had failed, and with complete success, in every instance. generally half a grain twice a day, with half or a grain of opium, increasing the dose to two or three grains in the day, but seldom beyond this quantity. We understand that Dr. E. made experiments with the opium alone, which failed to cure the patients,--and the reason why he combined it with the sulphate of copper, was to prevent the latter from caus

The dose is

to be attended to, in addition to the local treatment. Neither does the employment of the sulphate preclude the use of other means of a local nature, as leeches, &c.

Mr. Teale makes many interesting remarks on the action of mercury, oil of turpentine, and quinine, in many inflammatory affections, which he explains on the theory that, in inflammation, the capillary vessels are in a state of debility and overdistensia. For these remarks we refer our read

Jamaica ginger powder, 10 grains.

To be well mixed, and divided

ers to the original paper.-Ed. into fifteen pills.-Gaz. of Health. Journal of Med. Science, No. 6.

NOXIOUS EXHALATIONS.

The experience of hospital surgeons must often have shown the danger of bringing abraded surfaces within the range of exhalations from foul ulcers. The following is an instance.

A female was admitted into Bartholomew's Hospital, with an inflamed ulcer of the leg. Rest, leeches, and proper diet, soon brought the sore into a healing condition. When the cicatrization was considerably advanced, two other patients, one with mortification of the leg, and the other with a phagedenic ulcer of the foot, were placed in the adjoining beds. Quickly the first patient's sore took on an unhealthy aspect, and rapidly spread into an extensive sloughing ulçer. She was now removed into an airy ward, and nothing particular was done, in order to ascertain the influence of removal from the sphere of vitiated effluvia. The pain was immediately relieved, and the surrounding inflammation quickly subsided. But, as the surface did not seem inclined to clear, cinnabar fumigation was employed for a week, when the sloughy cha

racter disappeared, and the ulcer healed rapidly.

We hope the chloruret of lime may prove serviceable on such occasions, by correcting the effluvia from foul sores, and preventing their action on others exposed to their influence.

ACUPUNCTURE.

Signs. To hear a deathwatch, denotes that there is a little in

sect near you. To see strange sights is a sign that there is something to cause them, or that your head is disordered. To see an apparition or to be bewitched, is an incontestible evidence that you are lacking in common sense.

Wise men say nothing in dangerous times. The lion called the sheep to ask her if his breath was unpleasant: She said aye; and he it off her head for a fool. He called the wolf and asked him: he said no; he tore him in pieces for a flatterer; at last he called the fox and asked him; "Truly," said the fox, "I have caught a cold and cannot tell."

Mr. Earle lately employed this mysterious remedy in a case of obstinate sciatica, which had resisted every other method of treatment. Two needles were introduced, to the depth of an inch, near the sacrum, and kept there a quarter of an hour. The sciatica almost immediately ceased, and the patient passed a quiet night, for the first time during some months. The old enemy returned, though not in force, BOSTON, TUESDAY, OCT. 9, 1827. a few days afterwards, and was finally routed by a couple of needles.

A traveller on the Continent, visiting the cathedral of was shown by the Sacristan, among other marvels, a dirty opaque glass phial. After eyeing it some time, the traveller said, "Do you call this a relic? Why it is empty." "Empty!" retorted the Sacristan, indignantly, "Sir, it contains some of the darkness that Moses spread over the land of Egypt."

Eating Salads.-A lad, who had lately gone to service having had salad served to dinner, every day for a week, ran away; and when asked why he had left his place, he replied, "They made me yeat grass i'th summer, and I wur afraid they'd mak me yeat hay i'th winter; and could not stand that, so I wur off."

The medical Essays which we have copied from the London Literary Gazette have been character

ized by good sense and careful ob

servation.

We have had the good fortune of agreeing with the author of them in most of his sentiments and directions; there are one or two instances, however, in the essay of needs some correction in order to last week in which we think he be rendered a safe guide. In speaking of swimming, for instance, the author says, "Nor should any boy be allowed to venture into the water when feeling a sensation of chilliness. In this case he should ruu or take exercise till a glow of heat be excited on the surface; or he should not bathe till after he has taken a hearty meal, &c." Now this is all perfectly good advice except the last part of it, which implies that it