were little affected by the operation; but tetanus did not ensue after the exhibition of strychnine.-Ibid, from Ibid.

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On the Origin of Solid Bodies in Synovial Cavities. By Dr. BIDDER.-The author had charge of a case of long standing swelling of the knee joint, which finally opened, allowing a quantity of granular matter to escape. The grains composing this matter were of a uniform size,--14" long, "" broad, 84" thick,--regular, flat-oval, clumped together in masses of variable size by a glutinous transparent fluid, present in but a very small quantity; they were highly elastic, presented no trace of a pedicle; their cut surface seemed homogeneous to the naked eye, and presented no trace of organization under the microscope; a chemical examination showed them to be composed of albumen. Mickel's opinion, so recently substantiated by Hyrtl, does not, therefore, hold good in every case; our author acknowledging its correctness in many cases, as well as the possibility of some cases arising from hydatids, (Dupuytren,) viz. those in which the bodies are possessed of a laminated structure, and have an internal cavity, notwithstanding that other distinctive marks may be lost, (vide Gluge. Anat. Mic.,) throws out another hypothesis as an explanation of their mode of origin in cases like the present, viz., that in certain cases an increased flow of blood, and consequent secretion of synovia, may force off the epithelium cells; that these subsequently increase, partly by endosmosis, partly by precipitation on their external walls; the peculiar life of the cell wall in certain cases altering the contents both with respect to colour and consistency, no membrane being perceptible under the microscope, may proceed from its stretched and thinned condition, from its being originally structureless, or from its homologation with its contents. The bodies examined by him consisted almost entirely of albumen, easily obtained from the synovia: their uniform size likewise presupposed their origin to have been from similar forms, endowed with similar capacities for life, conditions fulfilled by the epithelium cells. This theory can only hold good where the synovial cavities have an epithelial covering, which is wanting in bursæ mucosa, and mucous sheaths of tendons.-Ibid, from Ibid.

Note on the Exhibition of Sulphate of Quinina. By M. DONOVAN, Esq., M. R. I. A.—A student in medicine, M. Desvouves, some time since published, in the Revue Médico-Chirurgicale of Paris, a notice on an easy and certain method of removing all the bitterness of sulphate of quinina. In 1842, being at Martinique, attacked with an obstinate intermittent fever, he took sulphate of quinina which suspended the access. This medicine which, as we know, is very disagreeable to swallow, on account of its bitterness, was presented to him one day at the moment when he was going to take a cup of coffee for his breakfast.

He mixed 20 centigrammes (3 grains very nearly) of sulphate of quinina in a spoonful of coffee, and swallowed it, without perceiving any bitterness. The accession of the fever being interrupted, M. Desvouves discontinued the use of the medicine; but resumed it as the disease reappeared in 1843 and 1844; and he declares that, in ten trials, the bitterness of the sulphate of quinina was entirely destroyed by the coffee, and that its febrifuge agency was in no degree impaired.

Being afterwards in attendance on a child of six years of age, M. Desvouves administered 20 centigrammes of sulphate of quinina in the same manner: but the child not being accustomed to take coffee made on water, some spoonfuls of milk were added, without any complaints of the bitterness of the medicine, although it soon triumphed over the disease. In four days, 120 centigrammes (22 grs.) were taken, and the fever did not reappear. From this it might be inferred that coffee made on water, or mixed with milk, possesses the property of removing the bitterness of sulphate of quinina, without injuring its febrifuge properties.-(Jour. de Médecine de Mai, 1847, p. 204.)

Supposing for the present that all these are well-observed facts. it might be conceived that the tannic acid present in the liquid coffee would decompose the sulphate of quinina, forming tannate of quinina, which, being an insoluble salt, would have less taste than if it were in solution; but in this respect it would have no advantage over the sulphate itself.

Decoction of coffee contains tannic acid. If sulphate of quinina be mixed with cold decoction of coffee, no change takes place; the sulphate remains undissolved. But if the decoction be very hot, the sulphate dissolves and is decomposed; the tannate of quinina partly precipitates on cooling, and partly remains suspended, forming a muddy liquid.

If to some cold decoction of coffee, a little sulphate of quinina and a few drops of dilute sulphuric acid be added, solution takes place; but that the sulphate has been decomposed will appear by the deposition of copious clouds of tannate of quinina which soon make their appearance.

Such are the facts concerned; but none of them are of any avail, either in explaining or supporting the statement of M. Desvouves. I mixed cold decoction of coffee with sulphate of quinina, and swal lowed it; the taste was intensely bitter. I dissolved some sulphate of quinina in very hot decoction of coffee; the taste of this was equally bitter. I promoted the solution of the sulphate in cold decoction of coffee by means of two drops of dilute sulphuric acid; but the taste was as bitter as ever. This being my result, I forbear to theorise on the alleged destruction of the bitterness. The decoction which I used was of the usual strength made for the table. If intensely strong coffee disguise the taste of the sulphate, it must be by decomposing it, and forming the insoluble tannate.

It may be proper to observe, that there is no occasion to seek new means of disguising the bitterness of sulphate, or as it is more properly named, disulphate of quinina, at least for the use of those who can swallow a pill. For patients who cannot take it in the state of solution, which is undoubtedly the best, the form of pill is convenient. It is true there is an objection to this form, on account of the insolubility of the salt, but it is easily removed by the employment of the neutral sulphate of quinina, a crystallizable salt, which easily dissolves in water without any addition of acid. The neutral sulphate is in fact the preparation that should have been originally introduced into medicine, instead of the insoluble disulphate, which sometimes causes much inconvenience. The dose of both salts is much about the same; the neutral sulphate may be given with propriety in a somewhat larger quantity if the prescriber wishes to be critical.

A convenient formula would be the following: the sulphate of quinina, for the sake of clear distinction, should be marked neutral. R. Sulphatis quininæ neutralis grana duodecim.

Pulveris glycyrrhizæ subtilissimi grana octodecim.

Theriaca q. s. M. fiat massa quam divide in pilulas duo

decim.

As many of these pills may be directed to be taken as the prescriber wishes: they will remain soft, and hence will have no chance of passing through the intestinal canal undissolved. No astringent substance should be contained in the pill: hence the mass must not be formed with conserve of roses. The pills may be silvered to disguise the little bitterness which otherwise they would have had.

According to M Pierquin, thirty-two grains of carbonate of magnesia conceal the taste of six grains of disulphate of quinina, without interfering with its virtues. It is also affirmed that anise or fennel perfectly masks the bitterness of this powerful febrifuge.-Dublin Medical Press.

Observations on the coexistence of Variola and Scarlatina, with remarks on the coexistence of other eruptive fevers. By J. F. MARSON, Surgeon to the Small-Pox and Vaccination Hospital, London.-During the last eleven years, the author of this paper has seen, at the SmallPox and Vaccination Hospital, seven persons who had variola and scarlatina simultaneously. These patients were apparently suffering from small-pox only on their admission, but in the course of a few days scarlet fever also developed itself. In each case, all the leading symptoms of scarlatina were well marked, and the eruption was evidently different from the roseola which frequently precedes the eruption of small-pox, and also different from the erythema, (somewhat resembling it,) arising from the miasm of hospitals; in fact, it was the florid red eruption peculiar to scarlatina, which no other eruption

exactly resembles. Three of the patients were unprotected, and four of them had been vaccinated. All recovered but one, the particulars of whose case were given in full. Three other patients with variola and scarlatina existing at the same time, have been seen, within the last few years, at the London Fever Hospital. Reference was made to the opinion so strongly expressed by Mr. Hunter, that no two fevers could be coexistent. Several cases were then alluded to, that have been published by different observers, in France and England, of the coexistence of variola and scarlatina, variola and rubeola, variola and pertussis, variola and vaccinia; rubeola and scarlatina, rubeola and vaccinia, rubeola and pertussis; varicella and vaccinia, pertussis and vaccinia. The individuality of erysipelas, as a special eruptive fever, was commented on, this disease being shown to arise, almost invariably in hospitals, from the impure air produced by morbid animal effluvia. The French were acquainted with the fact, fifty years ago, of smallpox and scarlatina existing together occasionally, some cases being referred to by the author, published by M. G. Vieusseux, at that period, but the subject has nearly escaped attention, or at least remark, by writers of this country.-Dub. Med. Press.

Sir Astley Cooper was kind enough to make us acquainted with his researches on the structure and functions of the thymus gland, with which he was then occupied; and I am the more pleased to recall this circumstance, because it enables me to record a reply of Sir Astley's, which proves delightfully the perfect truth and honesty with which he conducts his researches and experiments. While he was pointing out to us, on a most delicate preparation, the two membranes which he has found in what he calls the reservoirs of the thymus, I said to him, You said, and it is." "No," he replied, "It is, and I said." The scientific character of the great English surgeon breathes in this response.-Prov. Med. and Surg. Journ. from Six mois de Sejour en Angleterre par S. Pironde, D. M.-British and Foreign Medical Review, vol. 8, p. 534.

When Dr. Dimsdale inoculated Catherine the Second for the smallpox, that Princess (who, whatever might have been the vices of her moral character, possessed a very large and magnanimous mind,) took precautions for securing her personal safety in case of her death. Finding herself much indisposed on a particular day, she sent for Dimsdale, whom she had already remunerated in a manner becoming so great a sovereign. "I experience," said she, "certain sensations which render me apprehensive for my life. My subjects would, I fear, hold you accountable for any accident that might befall me. I have therefore stationed a yacht in the Gulf of Finland, on board of which you will embark, as soon as I am no more, and whose commander, in consequence of my orders, will convey you out of all danger." This anecdote, so honourable to the Empress, I heard from one of Dimsdale's sons, above forty years ago.-Ibid, from Sir N. W. Wraxall's Posthumous Memoirs of his own Times, vol. 3, p. 199.

THE

MEDICAL EXAMINER,

AND

RECORD OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.

NEW SERIES.-No. XXXIV.-OCTOBER, 1847.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

A Case of Retention of a Dead Ovum in Utero for six months, without Putrefaction. By GEORGE L. Upshur, M. D.

Mrs., æt. 38, the mother of six children, menstruated the first week in November, 1846. She supposes herself to have conceived immediately afterwards. About the middle of the following January, while walking in the street, she felt suddenly, without pain or other premonition, a fluid discharge from the vagina, which, upon hastening home, she discovered was blood. Fourteen days after this, the breasts became flaccid, and the morning sickness, which had been gradually lessening, entirely ceased.

On the 30th of July, about 10 o'clock at night, she was seized with pains like those of labour, which steadily increased in force and frequency until early next morning, when there was expelled a dead fœtus, three inches long, with the membranes and placenta attached by a cord six inches in length. During the whole time, from the first hemorrhage to the expulsion of the ovum, a period of six and a half months, there was more or less sanguineous discharge from the vagina. This discharge was as free from unpleasant odour as the catamenial fluid usually is, except during three days in the month of April, when it was slightly putrid in its character. She consulted no physician about the matter, as the flow was unaccompanied by pain, and never