"The sole object of its organization is to aid, assist, provide for, and advise all emigrants upon their arrival in this city, no matter what the country whence they came, no enquiry ever being made, or being allowed to be made by our superintendent whose duty is to visit all ships arriving at our city, and attend to the wants of the passengers.

"Its members are composed of all persons who think proper to join it and observe its rules.

"The asylum into which, by positive regulation, no one is admitted who may be afflicted with serious sickness, or any disease of a pestilential or contagious nature, and whose condition may be so declared by one of its visiting physicians, is situated on Duplantier street, and is visited daily by Drs. Harral, Bien, and Hare, who benevolently render their professional services gratuitously.

"Besides, there is a resident physician receiving a salary from the society whose duty it is to prepare the prescriptions left for those inmates who may be laboring under debility, brought on by their sea voyage, or who may be convalescent after leaving the ship.

"A superintendent is also under salary, who remains at the asylum, and in addition to the duties aforementioned, attends to the cleanliness of the house and inmates.

"Since its formation, we have forwarded to the Western country 610 persons, provided out-door relief for 460, found employment for thirty persons.

"We have been enabled to forward so large a number by the kind co-operation of many of our noble hearted Western captains, who have' taken numbers free of charge on their boats; the society being required only to provide the emigrants with provisions for the trip.

"The monthly expense is about $300. There are about 150 persons now within the institution."

INHALATION OF SULPHURIC ETHER.

The medical world seems to be more and more agitated by the discovery of this great composer of human suffering. It has been called Letheon by our classical brethren of the American Athens;" thus deriving a name from the fabled stream in whose oblivious waters all remembrance of the past is blotted out forever; yet its announcement has produced quite the contrary effect. It seems to have brightened up the recollections of many, and if their pretensions are to be recognized, they knew all about it a long time ago. New claimants to the discovery have appeared in both Europe and America, and it is very probable that when it is made known in Asia and Africa we shall hear of them there. Books have been ransacked, and almost-forgotten observations have been resuscitated to show that it has been long known that the inhalation of certain vapours and gases will produce a state of insensibility. In our last number we alluded to a Dr. Wells of Hartford, Conn., who having observed that the inhalation of nitrous oxyde gas, and sulphuric ether too, would produce insensibility, claims to be the first person who attempted to apply the fact to the practice of surgery; to have convinced himself of its truth by extracting more than 20 teeth; to have preferred the nitrous oxyde because he believed it less dangerous; and to have communicated his discovery to the Medical Faculty

of Boston, among whom he signalises Drs. Jackson and Morton. We expressed our surprise that his pretensions, apparently so well founded, should have attracted no attention. Since then, we find that he has forced himself into notice, and there is going on quite an angry controversy between him and the patentees of the Letheon. It seems also that Jackson and Morton have fallen out and are quarrelling for the honour of the discovery. We have not space to enter upon the merits of these controversies; nor indeed would it be to us a pleasant task, such is the disgust we feel that any person having the title of M. D. appended to his name, should, at this day, be so far insensible to the philanthropy and magnanimity which have been attached to the profession by a long list of illustrious benefactors, as to attempt to obtain a patent right for any thing he may be so fortunate as to add to its means of alleviating human suffering. That the application of ethereal inhalation to the practice of surgery is a great discovery, we are free to confess; and we are also gratified at its being an American discovery; yet we can but condemn the illiberal, sordid and selfish motives which prompted the futile attempt to monopolise its benefits under the protection of a patent right. If such motives were to predominate in the medical profession, it would soon degenerate into knavish quackery, which calamity indeed has only been hitherto prevented by the enlarged benevolence and self-devotion of its leading members. It is now made known that Dr. Charles T. Jackson, a respectable graduate in Medicine, was actually concerned with Dr. Morton the Dentist in the application for a patent, and that it was granted to them jointly. Jackson claims to have suggested the use of ether to Morton. We believe Morton does not admit this, and at least claims the merit of developing and illustrating its wonderful powers. Whilst Wells, also a dentist, says he suggested the idea to both of these gentlemen, and that he has been unjustly deprived of the credit of discovery. However the truth may be in this regard, and to whatsoever extent it may prove a blessing to mankind, these gentlemen, (J. and M.) by the course which they have taken, have lost the opportunity to obtain a pure and enviable distinction.— The world will accept the benefit, but cannot entertain a very exalted opinion of those who brought it into notice.

It appears from the Journals that this remedy is being applied to a variety of cases, not the least marvelous of which is parturition. Amongst our extracts may be found some interesting articles on this subject. If experience should prove it to be a safe and effectual remedy against the pangs of labour, it will indeed be an inestimable blessing. We have only room to make a brief allusion to some of the surgical operations which have been recently performed under its influence in this city. In our last number we reported a case in which the parotid gland had been removed by Dr. Mercier, and in which the ether failed to produce its desired effect. We have now to state that the patient died three days after the operation, and that on examination after death, softening and great engorgement of the brain were discovered. Some have been disposed to attribute the unfavourable results to the ether, but we think the extract we give in our Foreign Medical Intelligence, proves satisfactorily, that the same result and lesions may follow ligature of the common carotid artery, when ether has not been inhaled.

We have not been favoured with a full report of one of the most extraordinary cases that has occurred at the Charity Hospital, under the care of Dr. Wedderburn. It was that of a man labouring under typhus fever, in whom spontaneous gangrene of the leg made its appearance, commencing at the foot. It had progressed nearly up to the knee, and was still marching upwards, when it was proposed as a dernier resort to amputate at the thigh, with the aid of sulphuric ether. The patient

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organized, and will proceed with their respective duties next fall. The late Medical College of Louisiana has been merged into the Medical Department of this University, and its Professors will fill its different chairs. The Law Department has been organized by the appointment of the following Professors, viz: Hon. Henry Bullard, late one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, Hon. Theodore McCaleb, of the United States District Court, Randell Hunt, known as one of our most distinguished lawyers, and the Hon. Henry A. Wilde, late of Georgia, but for several years a resident of New Orleans- The late Medical Hall is destined for the Law School, and a much larger building

of Boston, among whom he signalises Drs. Jackson and Morton. We expressed our surprise that his pretensions, apparently so well founded, should have attracted no attention. Since then, we find that he has forced himself into notice, and there is going on quite an angry controversy between him and the patentees of the Letheon. It seems also that Jackson and Morton have fallen out and are quarrelling for the

y 100m to make a brief allusion to some of the surgical operations which have been recently performed under its influence in this city. In our last number we reported a case in which the parotid gland had been removed by Dr. Mercier, and in which the ether failed to produce its desired effect. We have now to state that the patient died three days after the operation, and that on examination after death, softening and great engorgement of the brain were discovered. Some have been disposed to attribute the unfavourable results to the ether, but we think the extract we give in our Foreign Medical Intelligence, proves satisfactorily, that the same result and lesions may follow ligature of the common carotid artery, when ether has not been inhaled.

We have not been favoured with a full report of one of the most extraordinary cases that has occurred at the Charity Hospital, under the care of Dr. Wedderburn. It was that of a man labouring under typhus fever, in whom spontaneous gangrene of the leg made its appearance, commencing at the foot. It had progressed nearly up to the knee, and was still marching upwards, when it was proposed as a dernier resort to amputate at the thigh, with the aid of sulphuric ether. The patient suffered no pain and the amputation did well. He rallied astonishingly and became convalescent, but unfortunately, relapsed and died about six weeks after the operation.

On the 24th of May, Dr. Stone amputated the leg of a man at the Charity Hospital, under the use of the ether, but its effects were by no means satisfactory. It is but just to state, however, that the ordinary ether of the stores was used. The man was heard to say afterwards that nothing could induce him to inhale it again.

On the 22nd of June, Dr. Luzenburg exterpated the eye of a man under the influence of ether, with the most satisfactory results. We have been furnished the following brief memoranda of its effects.— Patient inhaled the ether 4 minutes, when profound intoxication was produced. Pulse fell from 75 to 40 in the minute-respiration laborious. During the operation, not the slighest evidence of pain was given. Toxic phenomena continued several hours. 12 hours afterwards-free from drunkenness and says he knew something of the operation, but is unable to describe his condition-pulse restored to the normal standard. 24 hours-doing well; free from every indication of cerebral distur bance. 36 hours; doing well.

There have been other operations in private practice, but we have not seen them or been furnished details. Mr. Knapp, one of our most respectable dentists, has extracted a great many teeth without pain.We will conclude by remarking that ethereal inhalation has signally failed in some instances, whilst we have read of others in which its effects were fatal. The real value of this potent agent has yet to be determined by experience.

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA.

In accordance with the provisions of the New Constitution, adopted by the State Convention in 1845, the Legislature at its last session passed a law for the establishment of a State University, with the above title, to be located in the city of New Orleans. It is to have four DepartmentsLaw, Medicine, Theology, and General Literature and Science.Two of these Departments, viz: Law and Medicine have already been' organized, and will proceed with their respective duties next fall. The late Medical College of Louisiana has been merged into the Medical Department of this University, and its Professors will fill its different chairs. The Law Department has been organized by the appointment of the following Professors, viz: Hon. Henry Bullard, late one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, Hon. Theodore McCaleb, of the United States District Court, Randell Hunt, known as one of our most distinguished lawyers, and the Hon. Henry A. Wilde, late of Georgia, but for several years a resident of New Orleans- The late Medical Hall is destined for the Law School, and a much larger building