we will always cheerfully concur in any measure which will tend to keep each one in his proper place.

“Né sutor ultra crepidam."

EPITOME OF THE HISTORY OF SMALL-POX.

From Sydenham,-Wallis' edition, vol. 1. The three treatises on this disease by Sydenham, are most admirable in their description and method of cure, and cannot be too thoroughly studied by practitioners. In reading him, it will easily be seen how little has been added to our knowledge of the subject, since his time. The epitome following, was made many years ago, before vaccination was known, as a help to ourselves in that complaint; and having found it useful, we trust it will not be unacceptable to our readers. "Remarkable disposition to sweat in S. P. in adults, p. 153.—The eruptions and skin approach more to the colour of a damask rose, in proportion to its being mild, 155.-Sweating not so prevalent in adults, in the confluent kind, 156-and it is sometimes preceded by a looseness, which was not observed by Sydenham in the distinct kind, 156-the eruptions generally on the third day, or earlier; but in the distinct kind, on the 4th or later; the sooner they appear, the more they run together, 156, 157delayed sometimes by some violent symptom, 157.-The symptoms diminish in the distinct, on the ensuing of the eruption; but continue several days in the confluent, 157-the eruptions not so high in the confluent 158-sometimes resembling Erysipelas or Measles, 157and not acquiring the same maturity as the distinct, note.-The danger proportioned to the number in the face, 159 -A salivation in adults, and a looseness in children in the confluent, 160-the first, very common, and sometimes appearing as soon as the eruptions, 160-thin at first, but more viscous about the seventh day; the hands swelling as that of the face subsides, 160, 161.-The disease when violent, has exacerbations towards evening, 161-the eighth day in the distinct, and the eleventh in the confluent, most dangerous, 161, 162.-The sweating suddenly ceasing, induces delirium, &c. 162 -owing to the improper use of the hot regimen, by which the face is prevented swelling, and the pustules from rising, 162, 163. Delirium induced in both by the great inflammation, 164 -also, producing purple spots, &c. 164-and bloody urine from the same cause, 165-and spitting of blood, 165-suppression of urine,

unfavourable symptoms from too great cold, improper bleeding, and purging, 166— the eruptions sink, a looseness and swelling of the face and hands checked, 166.-One of the most inflammatory diseases, 166-cautions against the hot regimen, 169-against too great evacuations, 172-against improper exposure to cold at the time of eruption, 175.--Cardiacs to be employed if the eruption strikes in by improper treatment, 176-The eruption not to be forced out, 178-Cardiacs for this purpose often check it, in the young and sanguine, 179-The looseness often checked spontaneously by the eruption, 181---Bleeding Lying in bed, not necessary in the distinct in, opposition to, in Sydenham's time, 182, 183 small-pox, 184, 185---Bleeding employed in the distinct S. P. and why, 185---Why more fatal to the rich than to the poor, 185, 186.--Greater caution necessary in the confluent S, P. 186--The salivation to be favoured, 187-.-By plentiful fourteen, and why, 188---They prevent delidilution, use of opiates, 188---After the age of rium, promote the swelling and prolong it, and promote the salivation, 189--The looseness in children not to be checked, 189---Curious case body in delirium, &c. 194, 195---Vomiting of recovery by the admission of cold to the sometimes useful when the salivation is hard, 196---Coma cured by cooling the blood, 196--&c. 198---Temperate regimen, its advantage, And purple spots removed, 196---Suppression of urine cured by a few turns across the room, 197---Bleeding sometimes necessary after the disease, 198-9-200.

Vol. 2.---The S. P. accompanied with more violent inflammation and consequent symptoms, from the great dryness of the spring and summer, p. 52--- Bloody urine and purple small pox, 53---The pustules considered as litspots, with little sign of the appearance of tle phlegmons, 53---Bleeding at the nose preventing death, &c. 54---Confinement in bed, tending to produce a greater number, 55---On the use of opiates in the confluent S. P.

On the use of bleeding and purging in the secondary putrid fever, p. 362 to 366.

POST MORTEM CONCERNS.

M. De Lalande who died at Paris in 1807 aged 75, and whose merits are well established as a philosopher, ordered by his will, that his body should be dissected, and the skeleton be placed in the museum of natural history. His relations, however, regardless of the injunction, caused him to be interred a few days after his death.

In dissecting this philosopher's body (by his own desire) the world would have been doubly benefited; first, in the real advantage which dissections prop erly conducted, cannot fail always to promote in all concerned therein-and secondly by tending to overthrow that powerful prejudice, by which we are led to acquiesce in the slower and more disgusting process of the decomposition of the deceased, by the agency of worms and putrefaction, rather than employ other means of a less shocking and more rapid character. Our allusion at present particularly, is to the old plan of burn ing, as conducted among nations of considerable notoriety; a subject we may hereafter resume. We shall only here advert to the late Mr. Laurens of S. Carolina, whose expanded mind led him to approve of this obsolete custom; and who by his will, attempted to restore it to notice.

We should be happy if some friend who is master of the particulars, would favour us with them, for publication; they deserve to be better known in this enlightened republic; if only to lead to a just idea of the merits of different kinds of sepulture. Our cemeteries are now nearly full; our city is increasing in size, and we shall sooner or later reach the state of London and of Paris, where the grave yards are, emphatically, sinks of filth and corruption.

PARACELSUS.

The following extract from Zimmerman's Experience in Physic, 1. p. 81 &c. may afford some amusement, and give an idea of that singular character.

"He (Paracelsus,) went so far as to say, that Galen had written a letter to him from hell; and that he had himself disputed with Avicenna, on the borders of the infernal regions. His imagination was so excentric, and he indulged so much in the most idle reveries, that he adopted all the tales of sorcery, astronomy, geomancy, chiromancy and the cabala. He used to say that when God refused to assist him, he constantly had recourse to the devil.

"This is the way in which he writes, in the

"I know, says Zimmerman, 1. p. 167. a certain Esculapius, who has 50 or 60 patients listens a moment to the complaints of each, and every morning in his antichamber. He just then arranges them in four divisions. To the first he prescribes blood-letting; to the second, a purge; to the third a glyster, and to the fourth a change of air;-I once heard a physician of this stamp, say, I purge all my patients to day, because I am going into the country." And he adds, that he once attended the physi cian of a large hospital on the continent, who visited and prescribed for 169 patients in 25 minutes!"

TELA ARANEARUM.

Spider's web. Experiments on, by Dr. George Pressly, Sth. Car. Thesis. 1823-4.

decided manner, its total inefficacy, as an anodyne, even in very large doses both on himself and others. It was given in the form of pills.

If correct, these prove, apparently in the most

3 grs. taken by himself; in about 50 minutes, without any perceptible alteration: he took dose, but with no effect. grs. more, and in a few minutes repeated the

5 grs. (self,) frequently repeated, so as in two hours, to amount to 40 grs. but without effect. In intermittents, in the Alms-house

1st. A recent Tertian, after an emetic, gave Dj every four hours, during the intermission; continued thus for six days, but with no effect. for near a week, but not checking the pa 2d. Do. Quotidian; emetic, then jas before,

roxysm.

3d. Do, Quotidian; after previous evacuations the web was given as above for five days, without any impression on the disease.

In one case it was given in 5 gr. doses every hour, then in augmented doses, but without ef fect, in the pulse or otherwise.

The exhilaration of spirits, sparkling eye, and animated countenance, described by Dr. R. Jackson, were never apparent, nor were the other symptoms from its use, evinced, particularly its anodyne or soporific effects.

He tried it as an anodyne in several cases, apparently well calculated to prove its efficacy.

1. In a Convalescent from dysentery, nearly 40 grs. were given in the evening, but ineffectually, and the same result on the next night. 2. In a Convalescent from Rheumatism; j at night, no effect; repeated next evening with out effect.

FEMALE DOCTORS.

In looking over a late number of the Monthly Magazine, we met with some remarks upon the "employment of women" in which the writer seems sorely distressed at the number of females who are idle, and who ought to be occupied with many things that are now attended to by men. He several ways proposes in which the evil might be remedied, and amongst the rest, we find the following relating to our profession. Had the remarks been written on this side the Atlantic, we should have attributed them to some young physician, or friend of young physicians (so few in this country) who from a charitable motive wished to relieve them from some of the immense fatigue attendant on their overwhelming superabundance of business; their extensive and arduous duties certes require some assistance, and an increase of fellow labourers!

"The first plan that offers, grows out of the peculiar constitution of women, and suggests, that to a considerable extent they might be their own physicians. Delicacy forbids women from freely communicating with male doctors, and it is well known that thousands of valuable women are constantly lost from reserve in this respect. If a college for educating women in the knowledge of physiology, anatomy and materia medica were instituted, 10,000 of the strongest minded of the sex might derive independence from advising and prescribing in female diseases, and particularly in regard to diseases of children. Another 5000 might subsist as accoucheurs."

MEDICAL ETHICS, CONTINUED.

6-When a physician or surgeon is called to a patient, who has been before under the care of another gentleman of the faculty, a consultation with him should be proposed, even

though he may have discontinued his visits: his practice, also should be treated with candour, and justified, so far as probity and truth will permit. For, the want of success in the primary treatment of a case, is no impeachment of professional skill or knowledge; and it often serves to throw light on the nature of a disease, and to suggest to the subsequent practitioner more appropriate means of relief.

7-Consultations should be promoted in difficult or protracted cases, as they give rise to confidence, energy, and more enlarged views in practice. On such occasions, no rivalship or jealously should be indulged: candour, probity, and all due respect should be exercised towards the physician or surgeon first engaged: and as he may be presumed to be best acquainted with the patient and with his family, he should deliver all the medical directions agreed upon, though he may not have precedency in seniority or rank. It should be the province, however, of the senior physician first propose the necessary questions to the sick, but without excluding his associate from the privilege of making farther inquiries, to satisfy himself, or to elucidate the case.

to

VARIETY.

The Passions.-It is said that Muley Moloc, by an incurable disease, and not expected to though lying on the bed of death, worn out live an hour, started from his litter, during the important crisis of a battle between his troops and the Portuguese: rallied his army-led them to victory-and instantly afterwards sunk exhausted, and expired.

Rabelais, used to say, that "drunkenness is better for the body than physic, because there be more old drunkards than old physicians;"in this sophism however, he forgot that physicians seldom take physic.

INFLUENCE OF THE MIND ON THE BODY.

Mary Glin, a widow, 70 years of age, and who had enjoyed remarkably good health alk her life, was so astounded with horror, at learning that her daughter, with two children in her arms, had thrown herself out of a window, and was dashed to pieces, that in one night her skin, from head to foot, became as black as that of a negro. This blackness was permanent, and the woman having died about two years afterwards of pulmonic inflammation at the Salpétriére, she was dissected by the Surgeons of the institution, and the skin was found to corresrespond in structure with that of the negro.

Jour. de Med. December, 1817.

MEMORANDA.

64 75 65 57 72 64 59 74 69 65 80 72 70 78 70 70 83 70 67 80 70 59 75 66 62 69 69 64 79 69

60 76 66 61 74 64

Boston.-28 deaths for the week ending Aug. 7.-Thermometer, (1 P.M.) Aug. 1, 75°: 2, 82: 3, 80: 4, 70: 5, 66: 6, 74: 7, 76: mean heat 75: greatest heat in 24 hours 77: greatest cold in 24 hours 58: mean of barometer 30.00. Amount of rain 6.48 inches.

Detroit.-Warm weather. July 29, Thermometer stood at 100.

New York.-95 deaths for the week ending Aug. 7.-Consumption 19, Diarhea 4, Dropsy 8, Dysentery 10, Flux infantile 10, Hives 4, Small pox 3.

Baltimore.-38 deaths for the week ending Aug. 9.-Consumption 2, Cholera infantum 12, Infantile unknown 8! Whooping Cough 2.

Washington.-Thermometer as follows, (2 P. M.) from July 1, to July 31, 86, 87, 83, 79, 78, 83, 86, 87, 90, 87, 79, 78, 81, 84, 80, 77, 77, 84, 83, 86, 78, 83, 83, 80, 82, 84, 86, 84, 85, 87, 85: average for the month 79: maximum 90: minimum 67: hottest day 9th, coldest day 16th. increase from last month 5°: Comparison with July 1823, average heat 1° greater this year, maximum 1 less, minimum 2 greater: total rain July, 1824, 2.44 inches: rain nearly 2 inches less this year: general comparison, not so variable and not so moist, but more cloudy days: average height of barometer 29.95: range .50.

Norfolk.-11 deaths for July.-Cholera infantum 4, Intemperance 2.

Bellefonte. (Pa.)--The dysentery is spread

ing its ravages here, and throughout Clearfield co.

Charleston.-18 deaths from July 25 to Aug. 1. Diarrhoea 3, Whooping Cough 6.-Thermometer (3 P. M.) July 25, 89°: 26, 85: 27, 87: 28, 87: 29, 87: 30, 85: 31, 83.*

Savannah.--The Board of Health on the 14th of July, announced that the city was remarkably healthy; more so than the preceeding years. They attributed it to the removal of filth, attention to cleanliness, and the gradual improvement of the dry culture: 14 deaths had taken place from May 19 to July 14, of which, 6 of Fever: 2 deaths for the week ending July 20; one of fever, brought sick from the country, and one, affection of the heart: 4 deaths for the week ending July 27: one of inflammation, one of bowel complaint, one of dropsy of the head, and one of consumption.

New Orleans.-38 deaths from the 5th to the 8th of July.-Consumption 2, Dysentery 4, Malignant Fever 4! other kinds of Fever 5.

Thermometer, (2 P.M.) July 11, 89°: 12, 87: 13, 88: 14, 93: 15, 94: 16, 92: 17, 93: some rain. Augusta.-17 deaths for the month of June: 50 for that of July.

Huntsville, (Alab.)-The month of July was very hot and dry: the thermometer ranged in the shade generally from 90° to 100. The 28th of the month was remarkably hot.

Archangel, (Russia,)-The Dwina was still covered with solid ice, May 17th. The thermometer was then 5° below the freezing point.

*

August 9th.-The Board of Health of Charleston has been officially informed of one death in that city by yellow-fever!!

NECROLOGY.

Dr. James Heaton, Loudoun co. Vir. æt 66. Dr. Samuel W. Fell, Belvidere (N. J.) July 11, at 36.

Dr. William Adams, Mount Pleasant, West Chester co. July 22, æt 89.

Dr. Wilmot F. Rogers, U. S. N. Norfolk, Aug. 7, æt 33.

Dr. Jonathan Whitman, at Barnstable, lately. lately, near Canonsburgh. Dr. Samuel Stevens, of New Philadelphia,

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PANACEAS.-No. 3.

Of the Bezoar and other Stones. This, which may be considered as allied to the snake stone, is merely a concretion found in the stomach or intestines of the Capra-cerva orientalis, a species of goat. It is found likewise in some of the deer species in Peru, &c. though that of the former was most esteemed.It is thus described by Salmon.

"Bezoar stone is found in the stomach, or cavities adjacent to the breast, of an oval form, or round, hollow within, (the Oriental having chaff, hair, sticks, grains, filth, or the like in its cavity, the Occidental not,) shining and smooth without, having a coat folded like an onion, of a various colour, but generally of a blackish green, pale, ash-colour, or honeycolour, without scent, and being bigger or less than a walnut. The Occidental is rough without, whitish, ash-coloured, black, or blackish green, and generally bigger than the former. They are adulterated with pitch, dried blood, stones powdered fine, ashes of shells, antimony, cinnabar, mercury, mixt with small Bezoar stones exquisitely pulver

No. 11.

ized, and made up with a proper mucilage. Where note, that if in shape it is not like a pidgeon's egg, is of an uneven surface, nothing shining, is heavy, without hollowness, or its capacity is filled with dust; or, if being moistened, or rubbed on a lime-wall or chalk, and lime and water, and it turn not yellow, it is it makes it not green, or touched with quickadulterated and naught. The Persian is best, then that of Peru, then that from New Spain.'

It is in fact of the same nature, and about of equal value with those concretions found in the intestines of other ani

mals, as horses, &c. and differs but little from the calculus of the bladder.* Of the

Bingley, in his Essay on the Stratagems of Apes and Monkeys, (Monthly Mag. 23, p. 131,) says, "in the gall-bladder of one or two of the Indian species, a kind of gall-stone is sometimes found. These, says Tavernier, the natives have been known to sell for as much as 100 crowns each. They will not, in general, permit them to be exported out of their country as articles of commerce, but chiefly preserve them as an invaluable present to foreign ambassadors residing amongst them. They are