Inflammation._--In the number of the London Medical and Physical Journal
for April, 1826, a case of ascites is related by H. R. OSWALD, Esq. in
which the cure was attempted to be effected, by exciting peritoneal
inflammation. The following symptoms were noticed at the time of
application for advice: the abdomen measured nearly six feet in
circumference, was exceedingly hard and tense; but not tender. The
patient "could hardly walk across her cabin from dyspnoea and
debility, and the weight and tension of the tumour; which caused her to
bend the body much forward, leaning her hands on her knees. The
emaciation was very considerable; the appetite good; thirst
considerable; tongue clean; pulse 120, and small; skin dry, harsh, and
rough; bowels habitually costive; urine scanty." "This affection
commenced about twelve months ago, after an obstruction of the
catamenia for nearly a year, arising, as was supposed, from exposure to
cold. The swelling was preceded by lancinating pains in the abdominal
and lower part of the thoracic cavities, but which, after a few months,
ceased entirely; and the disease had, in a chronic manner, gradually
arrived at its present oppressive form."
Paracentesis was performed several times; cathartics, diuretics, the
lancet, blisters, and tonics were resorted to, with relief from some of
the symptoms. The tumour, however, returned several times, so that M.
OSWALD despairing of effecting a cure by following the same plan, and
recollecting a case of ascites, which was cured apparently by an
inflammation having supervened in the peritoneum, from the orifice made
by tapping remaining open, attempted to produce the same effect in the
present patient, by keeping the orifice of the wound open by means of a
small tent. In this he partly succeeded, for in the course of a few
months, all symptoms of the effusion had disappeared; health and
strength had much improved, and the patient had experienced a return of
the menstrual discharge, which had been suppressed for nearly three
years.
About a year afterwards, however, the disease returned. Paracentesis was
again performed several times, and a tumour was perceived to have formed
in the lower part of the abdomen. The patient died in about five or six
months from the re-appearance of the effusion. On dissection, much water
was found in the abdominal cavity, which was lined by a dense, white,
and rough looking membrane, of a fragile and diseased structure. The
intestines behind this membrane, were unusually small, and of a dark
leaden colour. The tumour above alluded to, was discovered to be
situated in the region of the right ovarium; it was a tubercular,
carcinomatous, and pale coloured fungus, possessing a structure not
unlike that of the placenta, and was formed in the interior of the sac,
which being traced further back, was found to be the cyst of a dropsy,
originating in the right ovarium at the fundus of the sac, or "more
properly speaking of its neck."
"The foregoing statement," Mr. O. remarks, "involves four facts and
questions of considerable importance in pathology. 1st. The great
quantity of fluids evacuated in so short a space of time: no less than
ninety-six quarts in eight months, by four operations; and fifty-nine
quarts from August to December, 1824, by three. 2nd. The variety in the
nature, consistence and colour of these fluids. 3d. The possibility of
curing ascites and dropsy of the ovaria, by exciting inflammation in the
abdominal sac, either by the admission of air into it, or mechanical
irritation; and 4th. The possibility of a thickening of the parietes of
the abdomen by inflammation, or by an exudation of a carcinomatous sort,
being mistaken for a tumour rising out of the pelvis."
33. _Artificial Respiration._--Dr. J. WARE of Boston, relates in the New
England Jour. for April last, that he was led by the experiments of the
justly celebrated physiologist Mr. BRODIE, to employ artificial
respiration in the case of an infant 9 weeks old, whose system was
prostrated from an over dose of laudanum. "The action of the heart was
reduced to an occasional throb; the pulse had entirely ceased, and the
efforts at respiration, which for some time had consisted merely in an
occasional gasp, became more and more unfrequent." The child had been
afflicted for five or six weeks with hooping-cough, and had been very
sick and feeble when the laudanum (about 15 drops) was administered.
By means of the stem of a tobacco-pipe, artificial respiration was
excited, and continued for several minutes: the action of the heart was
immediately renewed, and the pulse could be again felt. At the end of an
hour, during which the artificial respiration was repeated at intervals;
"the respiration became natural, the pulse distinct and tolerably
strong, and the heat began to return." A fit of coughing, preceded by a
livid appearance of the forehead and face, arrested the breathing,
"which did not return till assisted by the artificial process." The
child, assisted by these measures, and by attention to the more usual
means of recovery, struggled through the night, but died during a
paroxysm of coughing in the morning.
The conclusions of Mr. BRODIE are, that narcotics destroy life through
the organs of respiration, and hence, if respiration can be artificially
carried on until the effects of the narcotic subside, life may be
preserved. Dr. WARE'S case would seem to confirm this idea; for it is
_probable_ his patient would have recovered from the effects of the
narcotic, if the paroxysms of coughing had not interfered.
34. _Secale Cornutum._--Mr. CHARLES WALLER has lately published (London
Medical and Physical Journal, April 1826,) several cases illustrative of
the action and efficacy of secale cornutum. We have not room for any of
the cases, and content ourselves with transcribing Mr. W.'s inferences.
These are: "That the secale cornutum is a remedy which is capable of
increasing the force of the uterine contractions in a most remarkable
manner, under certain circumstances; but that the effect is doubtful,
unless there be some degree of action present. In other words, that,
although it will increase the contractions when already present, it will
not always renew them when they are suspended.
"That the effect is more certain if the infusion be of greater strength
than is usually recommended; two drachms of the secale to six ounces of
water being barely sufficient for the purpose.
"That it appears to be a stimulus peculiarly fitted for irritable, and
what are generally termed _nervous_ habits.
"That the fears entertained by some practitioners of its proving
detrimental to the child, are groundless.
"But, although it is in general necessary, not only that there should be
a disposition for labour, but that this process should have actually
commenced, before we can expect the secale cornutum to have any effect
upon the uterus, still one solitary case has indirectly come to my
knowledge (and I will vouch for the authenticity of it,) where this
remedy was given for the purpose of producing abortion in a female,
about the second month of utero-gestation; and this effect was
accomplished in a few hours after its exhibition."
35. _Animal Magnetism._--This strange doctrine begins to acquire
considerable vogue in France, and other European countries, from which
it seemed to have been expelled, by the contempt and ridicule which it
met with, from most of the learned of the latter part of the last
century. ANTHONY MESMER, the great choroegus of the magnetic mummers,
was born in 1733, and excited a vast deal of attention, by the enormous
pretensions which he set forth on the subject of magnetism. MESMER came
from Austria to Paris in 1778. He addressed the Academy of Sciences, and
that of Medicine, but no attention was paid to him, till a commission
was appointed to examine carefully into the merits of the question. This
commission in 1784, so fully exposed the fallacy of MESMER'S theories
and practice, that he soon afterwards quitted Paris, and retired to
England under a feigned name. He subsequently went to Germany, and died
in obscurity, in the year 1815.
In December last, M. HUSSON (for himself, and MM. ADELON, BURDIN, MARC,
and PARISET,) read a report to the Royal Academy of Medicine, on the
question, whether it was fitting for the section to undertake new
researches on animal magnetism, as it had been thought to be
definitively settled by the decisions of 1784. The report concluded
affirmatively, for several reasons; among which the principal seems to
be, that magnetism has at present fallen into the hands of the learned,
whereas it was formerly under the domain only of quacks and the vulgar.
M. HUSSON'S report was discussed at subsequent sittings of the Academy,
for the purpose of ascertaining whether a new commission should be
appointed; and as this topic is certainly one of the greatest novelties
of the day, we shall give some account of the discussions, making free
use of the report of them, contained in the Revue Medicale, Mars. 1826.
M. DESGENETTES, declared against the appointment of a commission,
because he considered the magnetism of the present day, quite as much a
matter of jugglery as that of 1784; and he informs us, that the
publicity given to the report, had already increased the audacity of the
magnetisers, who look on it as an approbation of their art.
M. VIREY, regretted that the report had not spoken in strong terms,
against the ridiculous practices, and shameful jugglery, which disgrace
the cause of magnetism; he wished the committee had announced an
intention, to make only physiological, or psychological researches, on
the influence, which magnetism really appears to exercise on the nervous
system; and gave his voice for the formation of a commission of
experiments.
M. BALLY, voted against it for several reasons, and among others,
because of the fact announced by all the magnetisers, that the person
who magnetises, acquires a sovereign power over the magnetisee; and he
inferred from this, all the inconvenient and even dangerous consequences
which may result to public morals!--Finally, he voted against it,
because magnetism is ridiculed every where, because it is all darkness
and confusion, and especially, because it being an inexhaustible mine of
empiricism, the section ought not to lay open such a fertile field for
those gentry who live by quackery.
M. ORFILA, (eheu!) defended the propositions of the reporters. It is
opposed, said he, on the three grounds following: 1st. Because the
section has not been invited to the examination now recommended. 2nd.
Because magnetism is nothing but juggling. 3d. Because commissions will
not commonly do any work. The first ground is not correct: M. FOISSAC, a
physician of Paris, has invited our attention to it, and offered to
subject a magnetic somnambulist to its exploration; and very reputable
physicians, members of the Academy, MM. ROSTAN, (the ramollissement man,
is his head soft too?) and GEORGET, have in their recent publications
called the attention of the learned to this subject. Secondly, if there
be any jugglery, in the magnetic phenomena we are told of; it is
nevertheless certain, that the whole of them are not simulated. The
testimony of well taught physicians, ought to be received on this head.
That the phenomena are extraordinary, is no argument; for those of
electricity must have been quite as marvellous, at the period of their
discovery, &c. &c.
M. DOUBLE, blamed the report as being nothing more than an apology for
magnetism, which is tarred with the same stick as that of 1784, and only
modified a little, by the esprit de notre temps, &c. &c. He said he had
made magnetism a special subject of study, and _never saw a phenomenon
produced by it_.----He thinks the commission could only do injury to
science, and compromit the Academy, &c. &c. He would vote against the
appointment, and advised the section to wait until some scientific
memoirs should be sent to it.
M. LAENNEC, agreed with M. DOUBLE, because after studying the subject
for twenty years, he is satisfied, that it is almost nothing but
deception and juggling; although, when he commenced the study, he was
prejudiced in its favour. According to M. LAENNEC, among the magnetic
influences, there are several, attributable to the impressions, which
one individual naturally makes on another in correlation with him; and
he cited a mistake, which he saw committed by a somnambulist woman. She
was magnetised by two persons, one of whom was handsome, but
anaphrodisiac, the other ugly, yet possessing in integrity, the genital
faculties. She received no impression, except from the first individual;
so that the impression which this female had received by the organs of
vision, before the experiment, superseded that, which the pretended
magnetic sense ought to have made on her. He thinks, the academy ought
to _observe_ the magnetisers, but what he has seen, has convinced him,
that nine-tenths of the facts in magnetism are supposititious. The
phenomena effected by magnetism, and the oracles uttered by the
somnambulist, vary with every magnetiser. MESMER excited convulsions;
DESLIN effected crises, such as are seen in diseases. The somnambulists
of Mr. DELEUZE, a learned man, are much better taught than those of
PUYSEGUR, who is ignorant of the sciences, and finally, Mr. LAENNEC has
seen a somnambulist under the direction of a pharmacien, who was quite
distinguished, by the art with which she compounded the medicines, she
recommended. The discussion was now adjourned to the next sitting.
On the 24th of January, it was resumed.
M. CHARDEL, bears witness to a reality of the magnetic phenomena, as he
has witnessed them himself, in a case of what is called somnambulism. He
dares not pronounce on the question of magnetism, as a therapeutical
agent; but is disposed to think it ought, if ever, to be used with great
reserve. Whether it consist of nervous phenomena of a particular order,
or whether it be a product of the imagination, in either case, it
deserves to be studied, &c. &c.
M. RONCHOUX, thought the proposed examination would be impossible; for
the magnetisers assert, that if one of the parties have a will opposed
to that of the magnetiser, no phenomena can be produced. Their confessed
inability to surmount any opposite will, seems to Mr. RONCHOUX, an
invincible obstacle to any exploration to be attempted by a commission.
M. MARC, gave some explanation of the labours undertaken in Germany.
According to the opposition, nothing conclusive can be derived from
these labours; because Germany is the native soil of sects and of
thaumaturgae but, Mr. M. proved by citations, that they are not to be
attributed to excited imaginations, as has been urged, but to the most
celebrated Savans of that country, as for example, OERSTDT, KLAPROTH,
and HUFELAND, to learned bodies, and to governments. The Royal Academy
of Berlin, offered in 1818, a prize of 3300 francs, for an essay on this
topic.
The governments of Prussia, Russia, and Denmark, have founded medical
commissions for the examination of it, and subjected its therapeutical
application to certain regulations. He thought, therefore, that the
Academy could follow without compromising its dignity, such good
examples. He added, that the examination was absolutely necessary,
unless they desired that every French practitioner should hereafter
reject the whole subject, and for ever abandon its employment to
jugglers and credulous fools.
M. NACQUART thought, that as magnetic somnambulism is something wholly
independent of organical, physical, or physiological laws; that as the
senses here have no need of organs; as time, space, and intermediate
bodies, wholly disappear; we can avail ourselves of no method of
appreciating magnetical facts, and consequently, the Academy ought not
to trouble their heads about it--a very good joke truly: but M. ITARD
said, that jokes had nothing to do with the question, because they are
meant only for the abuses and extravagancies of magnetism; but we want
to get at the truth, and to eschew the folly. Magnetism, says he, is
either a real or imaginary agent; it ought to be examined. To refuse
this, is to despise the path of experiment, which can alone lead to
truth, &c. &c.
M. RECAMIER, could add nothing to the observations of MM. DESGENETTES,
BALLY, and DOUBLE; but he wished the section to know, that he been a
witness to the magnetic phenomena--he had been present at the oracles of
the marichale of M. DE PUYSEGUR, who was represented as the most lucid
of all possible somnambulists. He had reason to suspect a cheat in this
case, as he was denied the means of dissipating his doubts; and heard
this woman repeat what he had before said to the patient himself. How
ridiculous, moreover, is it, to hear one drachm of glauber's salt
prescribed as a transcendental remedy for phthisis pulmonalis! He also
attended at the Hotel Dieu, at experiments made on one woman and two
men. He saw the woman go to sleep (as was asserted,) at the simple will
of the magnetiser, who for that purpose was concealed in a closet of the
apartment. The only mode adopted, to prove that she was really asleep,
consisted in some slight pinching of her ears, and some noises; yet, in
the recital, these slight impressions have been transformed into most
painful tortures. In the experiments made on the men, he employed a more
powerful proof, which was the application of moxa; and that he did,
because it was indicated by a coxalgia, with which the patient was
affected: it is _a fact_, says he, that the man did not awake, or show
_the slightest sensibility_. Mr. R. believes, therefore, in magnetical
action; but does not think it can ever be available in the practice of
physic. In Germany, said he, where magnetism is so much employed, do
they cure better than elsewhere? And has magnetism been the occasion of
any therapeutical discovery any where? In somnambulism there is only a
disordered sensibility, and not an increase of it; and the pretended
clairvoyance of the somnambulists, has no real existence, &c. &c.
M. GEORGET, cited in proof of the existence of magnetic power, the names
of many physicians, members of the Academy, as MM. ROSTAN and
FOUQUIER--he cited the experiments made at the Hotel Dieu, by Dr.
DUPORTET, in the presence of many members, who had signed the results,
as MM. HUSSON, GEOFFROY, RECAMIER, DELENS, PATISSIER, MARTIN, SOLON,
BRICHETEAU and KERGARADEC. If there be any analogy between magnetic and
natural somnambulism, ought we to be astonished at the production of the
former by certain practices? The magnetisers conceal nothing, but
publish all their proceedings, and do you call these the tactics of
jugglers and charlatans?
M. MAGENDIE thought the examination expedient, and wished commissioners
to be appointed to examine the somnambulist, offered by Dr. FOISSAC.
M. GUERSENT was in the affirmative: he himself had magnetised, and
witnessed several phenomena, &c.
The discussion was then adjourned to the next setting, and on the 14th
February, after hearing M. GASC against, and M. LHERMINER for the
report, M. HUSSON the reporter was heard. The section then closed the
discussion, and it was decided by a majority of ten, (35 to 25,) that a
commission should be appointed to examine animal magnetism.
We are indebted for the above account to the Revue Medicale for
March--the No. for February, also contains a review of M. DUPAU'S
Lettres Physiologiques et Morales sur le Magnetisme Animal, 8vo. Paris,
1826. In order to show our readers how they manage these matters, we
shall translate the following from p. 269.
"Here, says M. ROSTAN, is an experiment that I have often repeated, but
which I was finally obliged to interrupt, because it fatigued my
somnambulist prodigiously, who assured me, that if I continued, it would
make her go mad. This experiment was made in presence of my colleague
and friend, M. FERRUS. I took my watch, which I placed three or four
inches from her occiput. I asked my somnambulist, if she saw any thing:
"certainly, I see something that shines; it hurts me." Her countenance
was expressive of pain, and ours expressed astonishment. We looked at
each other, and M. FERRUS breaking silence, said, if she sees something
shine, she can doubtless tell what it is. "What do you see that
shines?--Oh! I don't know, I can't tell. Look at it well--Stop, it
fatigues me, wait--(and after a moment of great attention) _It's a
watch_." More astonishment. But, if she sees the watch, said M. FERRUS,
she will doubtless see what o'clock it is. "Could you tell me what
o'clock it is?--Oh! no, it is too difficult." "Look at it, try." "Wait
then, I'll try; may be I can tell the hour, but I never shall be able to
see the minutes;" and after the greatest attention--"It wants ten
minutes of eight o'clock:" which was exact. M. FERRUS now desired to
make the experiment himself, and repeated it with the same success. He
made me turn the hands of his watch several times, and when presented to
her (occiput we suppose,) without her having seen it, she never made any
mistake."
These statements we have thought fit to lay before our readers, who will
observe the respectable names which are connected with them. We shall
seize the first opportunity to give the report of the new commission,
and if they confirm the miracles, we can still say, credat Judaeus
apella. If it will make no cure, it will probably make much pay; since
MESMER got upwards of 340,000 francs for his mumming exhibitions, to the
_spectacle_ loving quidnuncs of Paris. The commission consists of 11
members, viz. LEROUX, BOURDOIS, DOUBLE, MAGENDIE, GUERSENT, LAENNEC,
THILLAYE, MARC, ITARD, FOUQUIER and GUENEAU DE MUSSY.
36. _Sketch of the Medical Literature of Denmark, Sweden, and
Norway--by_ Dr. C. OTTO, _of Copenhagen, apud Bulletin des Sci. Med.
Feb. and March._--"Denmark is richer in medical literature, than the
other countries which in conjunction with it, composed the ancient
Scandinavia. Although it does not in this respect, bear a comparison
with France, Germany, England, and Italy, nevertheless, medicine, of all
the sciences, seems to be that which is most successfully cultivated,
and Copenhagen contains a great number of learned, and able physicians."
In proof of what Denmark has done, Dr. O. refers us to the great names
of the two BARTHOLINS, of STENO, of WINSLOW, of CALLISEN, &c.
"In the 16th century, Denmark possessed the anatomical works of the two
BARTHOLINS: (_Instit. Anatomicae de vasis lymphaticis, &c._) and other
works of the same kind, which have been translated into all the
languages of Europe. STENO, the disciple of THOMAS BARTHOLIN, followed
the career of his master, with an equal success. HALLER never spoke of
this anatomist, without the highest admiration. RODE enriched the
literature of Germany and Denmark, with works which have made his name
illustrious, wherever science is cultivated. Among these, we may chiefly
distinguish his Bibliotheca, and Materia Medica." The Danes are indebted
to him for several popular works on medicine, which are in the judgment
of Dr. OTTO, chef d'oeuvres of this sort of writing. He published more
than 13 volumes on these topics. "To the celebrated CALLISEN, who is
recently deceased, we are indebted for 1st, a _Systema Chirurgiae
Hodiernae_, a work of the highest merit, and which has reached a fourth
edition. 2nd, a Medical Topography of Copenhagen, published in Danish.
(2 _vols._ _8vo. Copen._ 1807.) 3d, the Director of the Academy of
Surgery. He is also the author of several important memoirs, inserted in
those of the _Roy. Soc. of Sciences_, of Denmark, and in some other
collections. The late professor MATH. SAXTORPH, composed an excellent
_manual of labours_, for the use of midwives. A second edition with
plates, appeared in 1804. T. L. BANG, has given a _Praxis Medica_, an
excellent guide to young physicians in their first outset in practice.
HERHOLDT has shed some lustre on Danish Physiology: his dissertations on
the life of the foetus, and on the question, whether vision is
performed with both eyes, or with one only, bear testimony to his genius
and penetration: he is also author of a memoir on penetrating wounds of
the Chest, inserted, as well as the former dissertation, and many other
pieces, in various medical journals.