sputum. During the paroxysm the face was flushed, the pulse much accelerated, and the skin warm. Occasionally, but not often, the fits of coughing terminated in vomiting. The persons thus affected were either of a plethoric habit, or subject to asthma. The whoop which characterises pertussis was in no instance observed, though a very audible sound, attended the efforts at inspiration. Judging from individual experience, the disease did not prove fatal in any of these supposed cases of secondary whooping cough.

At the close of May, during the two succeeding months and in the early part of August, many persons were affected with severe indisposition, in which the bowels appeared to be particularly interested. It generally commenced with severe pain in the abdomen; most frequently in the epigastric and hypochondriac regions. There was evident tenderness on pressure. Occasionally the pain and soreness were referred to the hollow of the ilium, and to the region immediately above the pubis. The patients complained of nausea and were sometimes affected with vomiting:-the matter ejected being generally tinged with bile. At this period the stools were thin and highly offensive. A strong desire for cool drink was frequently expressed. The tongue was furred-the coating varying in colour, being sometimes white, on other occasions of a light (wood) brown: considerable heat of skin was observed. The pulse likewise indicated the febrile condition by its greater frequency and increased volume and force.

Remissions were observed towards the succeeding morning; but the symptoms were generally aggravated in the evening. In the progress of the disease, the diarrhoea, noticed in the incipient stage, often alternated with constipation. In one case, during the second week, there was a very copious discharge of blood, without any admixture of feculent matter:-the quantity exhibited exceeded a pint: it was fluid and resembled grumous blood.-This patient recovered. As the disease advanced a difficulty in voiding the urine was occasionally observed. The intellect was rarely impaired. In some instances delirium came on with the exaccerbation of the fever in the evening. When the disease terminated fatally, the patients became lethargic and comatose :-this condition of the sensorial powers continued from one to three days before death took place. In the instances of recovery, the disease terminated in the course of the second week, or was prolonged to the close of the third week. In one child, the favourable change was not noticed earlier than the fourth week. In one patient, presenting all the symptoms of the incipient stage, who was largely bled, convalescence was established on the third day.

The opportunity of ascertaining the pathological changes observable on the inspection of the dead body not having been permitted, no positive information can be given respecting the actual seat of the disease; yet few we believe will doubt that the mucous

follicles were particularly interested. The train of symptoms and the relief afforded by the abstraction of blood, either by the opening of a vein or by the application of leeches, together with the benefit derived from the use of diaphoretics render the inflammatory character extremely probable. According to the late French pathologist-in the Typhoid or Camp Fever the mucous follicles of the ilium, immediately above the ileo cœcal valve have been uniformly found enlarged, the result it is supposed of previous inflammation. The peculiar eruption on the skin so generally observed in that form of fever, was not detected in any case of the disease just described, though the examination was very scrupulously made.

In the course of November and December, cases of unequivocal Enteritis were the objects of medical attention. The affection was generally attributable to certain articles of diet so frequently presented at this season, and from eating of which so many persons experienced a difficulty in refraining. Exposure to cold contributed likewise in many instances to the production of the disease. These causes operating with less force, seemed to induce diarrhoea, preventing more serious disturbance by quickly removing the indigestible and offending matter.

At this period, children were affected with a papular eruption, distributed in patches, rather gyrated than crescented, chiefly on the trunk, scarcely perceptible on the face, and not very easily detected on the extremities. The colour was a very pale rose, or faint blush. It was generally associated with disturbance of the bowels; but lachrymation and cough were not present, by which it was readily distinguished from Measles. The duration. varied from two days to the period of one week. In no instance was it the object of much solicitude, though the parents and attendants, were frequently alarmed at its first appearance, supposing it to be the measles or scarlatina, according as their fears had been excited by the prevailing reports.

The following table, with which the report concludes, presents a general view of the state of the Thermometer, Barometer, and weather for each month of the year 1842.

NOTICE.

Individuals, not members of the College, may be supplied with the "Summary of the Transactions," at the store of J. G. Auner, No. 333 Market Street, Philadelphia, at the rate of twenty cents for each number.

QUARTERLY SUMMARY

OF THE

TRANSACTIONS OF THE

COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS

OF PHILADELPHIA.

FEBRUARY, MARCH, AND APRIL, 1843.

Stated Meeting, February 7, 1843.

DR. HEWSON, President, in the Chair.

Present, twenty-one members.

D. FRANCIS CONDIE, M. D., was duly elected Secretary of the College, in the place of Dr. HENRY BOND, resigned.

On motion of Dr. CONDIE, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the thanks of the College be presented to Dr. Henry Bond, for the very able and faithful manner in which he has fulfilled the duties of its Secretary, for the last eleven years.

DR. JOSEPH WARRINGTON presented and read the Annual Report on the DISEASES OF WOMEN, as follows:

The Committee on Diseases of Women, in his attempt to fulfil the duties of his appointment, and to present to the College "a review of such interesting facts and doctrines," pertaining to the subject committed to him, "as have been offered to the profession during the past year;" has carefully collated the various observations reported through the periodical journals and other publications, and made personal inquiries among his medical friends and associates, and begs leave to present to the College the following as the result of his labours-regretting at the same time, that he has been enabled to comprise in his report so few facts of either a novel or particularly interesting character.

VOL. I.

NO. VI.