in the choroid, as the retinal layer over it was so lacerated or displaced that the sclera was visible from within the eye. Further, this injury was so near the macula lutea that it would be likely, perhaps, to disturb the delicate arrangement of the retinal layers there, and thus dull the acuteness of vision for a time, and possibly for all time.

Vision at this date, more than three months since the accident, *had not improved greatly, since the clearing up of the anterior chamber. He could only see letters No. 100 at ten feet. There was still paralysis of the sphincter iridis and of the ciliary muscle. With dioptric + 4 (convex glass of about ten-inch focus), he can read very slowly the print in my book numbered 16 and 15. I notice also that he is inclined to so turn his eye that the outer portion of the macula lutea shall receive the image of the object he tries to see. There is no general limitation of the field of vision in any direction, but there is of course almost perfect darkness over that portion corresponding to the choroidal rupture. I last saw this patient on Dec. 30. The ophthalmoscopic appearance of the eye was nearly unchanged, although I noticed a slightly mottled appearance of the choroid around the wound that did not exist before, or could not be seen, or that I had previously overlooked. Vision the same. He had no pain or inconvenience from the eye, and is permitted to resume his school attendance. I hope to keep him under observation, and report his condition a few months hence. It is quite possible, and perhaps probable, that there will be a gradual softening of the globe from choroiditis and degeneration of the vitreous body.

ATROPHY OF THE OPTIC NERVE FOLLOWING CONCUSSION.

Nov. 30 last, while the case just described was under observation, S. C., a young man of twenty, was brought me for consultation. I found the left eye normal in all respects. In the right there was progressive atrophy of the optic nerve. The field of vision was limited in all directions, and the central portion of the retina was so far impaired in function that only the largest letters, No. 200, could be distinguished at a distance of three feet from the eye. The ophthalmoscope showed the usual appearance of atrophy, but besides this I found what appeared to be an old rent in the choroid between the nerve and posterior

pole of the eye. It was not as large as, but similar in shape and position to, that in my other patient. The edges were less red and jagged, but were partly pigmented, and the sclera could be distinctly seen, as in the other case.

The imperfect history I could get of the case was this: Eight years before, a stone, thrown from a sling in the hand of another boy, had struck the right eye of the patient. He had been knocked down. Since that time he had not had good sight in that eye, and for a few years past, vision seemed to be fading slowly away. This was all I could learn.

The case appears to me a very singular one. I do not remember any instances of atrophy of the nerve due to rupture of the choroid with hemorrhage into the vitreous. Sight is often enough lost from concussion and hemorrhage, but it is to be ascribed usually to choroiditis, softening of the vitreous, and final separation between retina and choroid. Here was a case of atrophy of the nerve in an otherwise perfectly healthy young man, of exceptionally good habits, the affection of the eye and the diminution of visual power dating from the time he was struck on the eye by a stone. The atrophy of the nerve and the retina must be attributed, I suppose, to some unusual injury received by one or both of these parts from concussion, rather than to the choroidal rupture and the hemorrhage.

PHYSIOLOGY IN EUROPE.

BY H. P. BELLOWS, M. D., AUBURNDALE, MASS.

AN American physician abroad, visiting the chief cities and universities, and intent upon observing the condition and methods of medical science in the Old World, is perhaps impressed by nothing more strongly than the great attention which is everywhere paid to the study of physiology. The importance attached to it, in comparison with other subjects, he finds to be far greater there than here. He recalls, in his own course, the sparsely illustrated lectures upon the normal functions of the organism, delivered by some active and successful practitioner, who hurried to the lecture-room from his round of visits, and hastened away to the bedside as soon as possible; and this he knows to be a type of instruction in many of our colleges. Sound, practical

lectures they certainly were, and the need of anything more scientific and far-reaching in that particular department had, perhaps, never occurred to him; least of all had he regarded physiology as a practical study, to be learned in great measure by actual observation and experiment under guidance of the professor. A physiological laboratory was probably a thing almost unheard of in the college from which he graduated.

In visiting the universities of Europe he is therefore surprised at the marked difference in this regard. In all countries he finds. the physiological course a practical one. Everywhere provision is made for investigation on the part of the student, and the frequent lectures are illustrated by constant experiment and practical demonstration.

In England he finds, in connection with all the universities and great hospital colleges, well-appointed physiological laboratories, where the students perform faithful work as a regular part of their course, and where also advanced investigation is carried on, although impeded seriously in certain directions by the recent law prohibiting vivisection in Great Britain.

On the Continent, where this restriction is not placed upon science, he finds still greater provision for physiological work, and particularly is this the case in the great German universities, where all branches are pursued with the utmost thoroughness, and physiology is considered of vital importance. There he finds, not laboratories alone, but so-called "institutes," richly supported, governed by men of scientific eminence, and devoted exclusively to this branch of investigation and instruction.

A brief description of these may be of interest, and as a fair type will be taken the Physiological Institute connected with the University of Leipsic, at the head of which is Prof. Ludwig, of wide reputation. This is externally a building of commodious and rather imposing appearance, consisting of a central portion and two wings; internally one finds the main building occupied by a spacious, well-lighted lecture-room, with seats rising, row above row, to a considerable height, and below every convenience for experimentation by the professor. In this portion of the building, conveniently reached from the lecture-hall, are also rooms used as the private laboratory of the professor, and still others containing apparatus of all kinds and appliances to aid in

vivisection and other modes of investigation; while below, in the basement, are quarters where dogs, rabbits, guinea-pigs, and frogs are kept in abundance. Here also is a little engine, pumping air through rubber tubes to the rooms above whenever artificial respiration must be maintained in the progress of experiments.

Passing from this central building into the right wing, one enters large laboratories with perfect light,where are tables, instruments, and reagents most conveniently arranged for students' use in the study of physiological histology, this department being under the immediate charge of an assistant, Dr. Gaule. In the corresponding wing are found lofty, well-ventilated laboratories, fitted with desks and all kinds of reagents and appliances for the study of physiological chemistry on the part of students, this section being presided over by Prof. Drechsel.

At the beginning of each day is delivered in the large hall, by Prof. Ludwig, a lecture, illustrated always in the most practicable manner by actual experiments, dissections, and vivisections. Afterwards, through the day, the laboratories are occupied by students, working quietly at their desks or tables, with instructors always at hand to assist them in cases of doubt or difficulty. And the work is earnest and faithful, however comfortable the worker may appear in a foreigner's eyes; for the German student can observe and record the most delicate reactions through the floating clouds which encircle him, and the huge, gayly covered glass of foaming lager or "black Bairisch" which stands near is too old a friend to disturb by its presence.

Thus physiology is studied by medical students in Europe, and learned thoroughly because practically. In our own country there has heretofore been neither demand nor opportunity for such searching work on the part of our students, and it will doubtless be many years before such courses are generally introduced. In a curriculum embracing three years instead of five, there is little opportunity for such thoroughness in any single department. Much is to be learned by us, however, from foreign methods, and if we would advance in medical science, the study of physiology in our country must every year be made more living and practical.

THE NEW ENGLAND MEDICAL GAZETTE.

BOSTON, JANUARY, 1879.

Ir will be seen that the GAZETTE, on entering its fourteenth year, undergoes several changes. Shall we call them the changes attending the age of puberty? Its exterior, perhaps by constant exposure to the sunlight of prosperity, has assumed a duskier hue. Its number of pages has been somewhat reduced, but let us hope that full as much as ever in real value will be crowded into them. Its price has been still more reduced in obedience to the popular clamor and the general "demand of the times." There is no wonder that now many find it a burden to pay even $3 a year for a medical journal, but $1 surely every physician can afford, even if he already takes two or three others. The GAZETTE, being the only homoeopathic journal in New England, will naturally, as heretofore, pay particular attention to New England news and interests, but it will not be a sectional journal, and its pages will always contain a great deal that will be of general interest to the whole profession in the country. We have promises of articles from many interesting and able writers; we expect correspondence from far distant parts of the world; but let no one who has anything to say which is really worth saying be deterred by the thoughts of our superabundance from sending it at once to our sanctum in black and white, for our able predecessors in the editorial chair have bitterly complained of that lack of spontaneity in their contributors which rendered perpetual urging necessary. The question of dose will remain an open one.

We wish that many of our good, sensible physicians, scattered about here and there, who seldom appear in print, might know the “ more blessedness" of giving, as well as receiving. They must have accumulated many valuable facts, testified to by that great teacher, experience. A medical periodical is just the place for them.

Relying on the promises already received, and trusting to the overcoming of this inertia in others, this lethargy which has fallen on some of our best men, who have no one but themselves to blame if things go wrong, we feel confident of success. In fact, we are bound to succeed.

WE Congratulate our readers on being the first to see the hitherto unpublished lecture of Dr. Hughes, of England, on the "Distinctive Mercurials," which he sent direct to the GAZETTE, with the best