DUBLIN.
2
470 days there were indications of magnetic activity. At the present moment the indication is to depression in this neigh- bourhood. The apparatus consists of a permanent magnetic needle, suspended as in an ordinary field compass, and diverted from its. ordinary meridian by a second permanent magnet. Thus I have a magnetic field in a state of permanency always in view. During the magnetic storm there was an indication of in- creased magnetic intensity. The chief indication showed an in- crease of magnetic power, and not a diminution. Some years ago I wrote to THE LANCET, and stated that cholera probably resulted from a sudden and continuous increase ef magnetic action. It would be well to have the attention of the scientific persons attached to magnetic observatories drawn to the sub- ject, as probably they may have better means of observing these matters than what I have at present, though I am in- clined to look upon my simple apparatus as tolerably good for the purpose. Then, if we find cholera as one of the effects of excitement in terrestrial magnetism, its mystery will be solved, or at any rate somewhat cleared up, the increased magnetism .acting on the organic nervous system, and thus causing the ex- hausting discharges which give rise to the collapse, &c. Theo- retically, I am inclined to think that if excited action of the organic nerves is the cause of the discharges, then our remedy should lie in subduing the excitement; and, though I have not i tried it, belladonna given in full doses may fulfil the indications. Belladonna may be given for two or more days continuously, so as to develop its physiological effects in a slight degree with- out permanent injury. I have seen a child under the influ- ence of belladonna some hours, where its physiological effects were developed all the time, and with good results for the pur- pose given. Of course I do not speak dogmatically on the subject, but merely throw out this hint as answering a theory at present occupying my mind. There was much diarrhoea of a violent kind about the period of the magnetic storm, and even since that time ; but, except in two or three instances, there were no "rice-water" evacua- tions. This is the most characteristic symptom of Asiatic cholera. Is it not pathognomonic of the disease ? Cramps, excessive discharges, coloured and bilious, and even collapse of a serious aspect, were present. The vomiting, purging, and cramps were evidently relieved by a mixture of chloroform, .solution of morphia, and tincture of belladonna in mucilage. I am, Sir, yours &c., The Crescent, Carlisle, Oct. 7th, 1865. WM. REEVES. WM. REEVES. SOUTHAMPTON. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) THE remarkable and long-expected change in the weather which has occurred here since the 10th inst. has done much to arrest for the time being the outbreak of pestilential cholera with which we have been recently visited. The weather, from being hot, sultry, and oppressive, as was experienced during the ,early part of the month, has been suddenly checked, and fol- lowed by cold and long-continued rainfall. With this favourable atmospheric change it is not surprising to find that not more than eight or ten new cases of the disease have been recorded in the town of Southampton, four of which have proved rapidly fatal amongst children. Two deaths of choleraic diarrhcea. have been registered at Woolston, and two others from diarrhcea in the village of Itchen, both bordering on the eastern boundary of that river. On Thursday last a sailor was taken from a small sailing craft at anchor in this river, conveyed ashore in the most complete stage of collapse, and placed under the care of Mr. Bencroft, who is steadily, perseveringly, and hitherto successfully carrying out the treatment of ice-bag applications to the spinal column. We had hoped that the disease had been checked, as none had come under observation for three or four days prior to the announcement in The Times of the 17th inst., that the disease had again broken out at Bitterne, that a bad case had been conveyed from thence to a building adjoining the South Hants Infirmary, and there treated most successfully by hot mustard- and-water applications to the feet and buttocks. This case is one of remarkable interest, as the evidence of the nurse in attendance so authoritatively corroborates. I have collected the facts as accurately as I possibly can, and I am pretty well satisfied that no less than from twenty-five to thirty deaths have been registered in this town and its neigh- bourhood since the 1st of October as Asiatic cholera, choleraic diarrhoL’a, or diarrhoea.. I must also state that disease, during the week ending 14th of October, had assumed a more severe or fatal type than during the corresponding week of 1864. From the 7th to the 14th inst. no less than twenty-eight deaths had been registered, eight of these being certified as cholera; whilst the table of mortality of the same date in the year 1864 records only fourteen cases of deaths from all causes. Diarrhoea, or cholerine, or premonitory cholera has been prevalent to a pain- fully significant extent in the most densely-populated districts of the town ; and I am well informed when I state that this disease was more than ordinarily prevalent during the month of September, for in the private practice of one gentleman alone there occurred in the first week of that month-viz., from the lst to 7th, 14 cases ; 7th to 14th, 16 ; 14th to 21st, 14 ; 21st to 28th, 35. This increase in the cases of diarrhœa occurred in the very week in which the two first and fatal cases of cholera were recorded. I know also that two medical men returned no less than from seventy to eighty cases under their own immediate treatment during the past week. With such unmistakable evidence of the undeveloped stage of its more formidable prototype, it behoves all in authority to urge on and prosecute with vigour the necessary works of sanitary improvement. Above all, a properly qualified person should be appointed to visit every house in which cholera has proved fatal, to disinfect or otherwise destroy the clothing and evacuations of the deceased, a duty which I fear has been most inefficiently performed. The cesspool accommodation should be improved, the colonies of piggeries desolated, the privy-pit connexion with the main sewers enforced; and lastly, that gigantic fountain of pestilential exhalations, the Belvidere sewage outlet for 50,000 inhabitants, should be destroyed, or its noxious outpourings utilized instead of being allowed to pollute the river Itchen, the private wharves and the docks in its immediate vicinity. Three questions of no small import, all indeed pregnant with professional and scientific interest at the present moment, are constantly discussed in and out of doors, viz. :-lst. By what means, if any, has the cholera been imported into South- ampton ? 2nd. Is its advent due to an epidemic constitution of the atmosphere ? 3rd. What part a contaminated or in- efficient water-supply can play in the production and dis- semination of this Eastern plague ? These are problems of deep-aye, of national interest and significance. They require for their solution a painstaking, well-trained, truthful, and philosophical mind-a man of the highest intellectual endow- ments. All these qualifications are concentrated in the great peer of hygiene to whom these inquiries have been submitted; and his report upon this investigation will be hailed with unbounded satisfaction and confidence by the profession and the public at large. Southampton, Oct. 13th, 1865. t DUBLIN. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) ARRANGEMENTS are now being actively carried out for the opening of our coming winter session, which, as your readers are aware, in this city does not commence until November. Amongst the novelties announced is the conversion of Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital, from being one of a purely medical character, into an hospital for the reception of surgical as well as of medical cases; as a consequence of which, it comes into active competition with our other clinical hospitals as an insti- tution attendance upon which will qualify its pupils to go up for their examinations at our different licensing boards. Hitherto its classes have been small, inasmuch as, not being of a medico- chirurgical character, certificates of attendance at it were of no value to their holders, unless they were candidates for the M.B. of Trinity College, Dublin, where, by the School of Physic Act, an attendance for nine months in its wards was and is compulsory upon all candidates for this degree. Now, how- ever, surgical cases being admitted, its certificates will be of equal value with those of our other clinical hospitals ; and, in the great race of competition, it starts with this decided ad- vantage in its favour-that every candidate for a degree in the University of Dublin, no matter what amount of hospital certificates he may have elsewhere procured, must, as a matter
Transcript of DUBLIN.
470
days there were indications of magnetic activity. At thepresent moment the indication is to depression in this neigh-bourhood.The apparatus consists of a permanent magnetic needle,
suspended as in an ordinary field compass, and diverted fromits. ordinary meridian by a second permanent magnet. Thus Ihave a magnetic field in a state of permanency always in view.During the magnetic storm there was an indication of in-creased magnetic intensity. The chief indication showed an in-crease of magnetic power, and not a diminution. Some yearsago I wrote to THE LANCET, and stated that cholera probablyresulted from a sudden and continuous increase ef magneticaction. It would be well to have the attention of the scientificpersons attached to magnetic observatories drawn to the sub-ject, as probably they may have better means of observingthese matters than what I have at present, though I am in-clined to look upon my simple apparatus as tolerably good forthe purpose. Then, if we find cholera as one of the effects ofexcitement in terrestrial magnetism, its mystery will be solved,or at any rate somewhat cleared up, the increased magnetism.acting on the organic nervous system, and thus causing the ex-hausting discharges which give rise to the collapse, &c. Theo-retically, I am inclined to think that if excited action of theorganic nerves is the cause of the discharges, then our remedyshould lie in subduing the excitement; and, though I have not i
tried it, belladonna given in full doses may fulfil the indications.Belladonna may be given for two or more days continuously,so as to develop its physiological effects in a slight degree with-out permanent injury. I have seen a child under the influ-ence of belladonna some hours, where its physiological effectswere developed all the time, and with good results for the pur-pose given. Of course I do not speak dogmatically on thesubject, but merely throw out this hint as answering a theoryat present occupying my mind.There was much diarrhoea of a violent kind about the period
of the magnetic storm, and even since that time ; but, exceptin two or three instances, there were no "rice-water" evacua-tions. This is the most characteristic symptom of Asiaticcholera. Is it not pathognomonic of the disease ? Cramps,excessive discharges, coloured and bilious, and even collapseof a serious aspect, were present. The vomiting, purging, andcramps were evidently relieved by a mixture of chloroform,.solution of morphia, and tincture of belladonna in mucilage.
I am, Sir, yours &c.,The Crescent, Carlisle, Oct. 7th, 1865. WM. REEVES.WM. REEVES.
SOUTHAMPTON.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
THE remarkable and long-expected change in the weatherwhich has occurred here since the 10th inst. has done much toarrest for the time being the outbreak of pestilential cholerawith which we have been recently visited. The weather, frombeing hot, sultry, and oppressive, as was experienced during the,early part of the month, has been suddenly checked, and fol-lowed by cold and long-continued rainfall. With this favourableatmospheric change it is not surprising to find that not morethan eight or ten new cases of the disease have been recordedin the town of Southampton, four of which have proved rapidlyfatal amongst children. Two deaths of choleraic diarrhcea.have been registered at Woolston, and two others from diarrhceain the village of Itchen, both bordering on the eastern boundaryof that river. On Thursday last a sailor was taken from asmall sailing craft at anchor in this river, conveyed ashore inthe most complete stage of collapse, and placed under the careof Mr. Bencroft, who is steadily, perseveringly, and hithertosuccessfully carrying out the treatment of ice-bag applicationsto the spinal column.We had hoped that the disease had been checked, as none
had come under observation for three or four days prior to theannouncement in The Times of the 17th inst., that the diseasehad again broken out at Bitterne, that a bad case had beenconveyed from thence to a building adjoining the South HantsInfirmary, and there treated most successfully by hot mustard-and-water applications to the feet and buttocks. This case isone of remarkable interest, as the evidence of the nurse inattendance so authoritatively corroborates.
I have collected the facts as accurately as I possibly can, and
I am pretty well satisfied that no less than from twenty-five tothirty deaths have been registered in this town and its neigh-bourhood since the 1st of October as Asiatic cholera, choleraicdiarrhoL’a, or diarrhoea.. I must also state that disease, during theweek ending 14th of October, had assumed a more severe or fataltype than during the corresponding week of 1864. From the7th to the 14th inst. no less than twenty-eight deaths hadbeen registered, eight of these being certified as cholera; whilstthe table of mortality of the same date in the year 1864 recordsonly fourteen cases of deaths from all causes. Diarrhoea, orcholerine, or premonitory cholera has been prevalent to a pain-fully significant extent in the most densely-populated districtsof the town ; and I am well informed when I state that thisdisease was more than ordinarily prevalent during the monthof September, for in the private practice of one gentlemanalone there occurred in the first week of that month-viz.,from the lst to 7th, 14 cases ; 7th to 14th, 16 ; 14th to 21st,14 ; 21st to 28th, 35. This increase in the cases of diarrhœaoccurred in the very week in which the two first and fatalcases of cholera were recorded. I know also that two medicalmen returned no less than from seventy to eighty cases undertheir own immediate treatment during the past week.With such unmistakable evidence of the undeveloped stage
of its more formidable prototype, it behoves all in authority tourge on and prosecute with vigour the necessary works ofsanitary improvement. Above all, a properly qualified personshould be appointed to visit every house in which cholera hasproved fatal, to disinfect or otherwise destroy the clothingand evacuations of the deceased, a duty which I fear has beenmost inefficiently performed. The cesspool accommodationshould be improved, the colonies of piggeries desolated, theprivy-pit connexion with the main sewers enforced; and lastly,that gigantic fountain of pestilential exhalations, the Belvideresewage outlet for 50,000 inhabitants, should be destroyed, orits noxious outpourings utilized instead of being allowed topollute the river Itchen, the private wharves and the docks inits immediate vicinity.Three questions of no small import, all indeed pregnant with
professional and scientific interest at the present moment, areconstantly discussed in and out of doors, viz. :-lst. By whatmeans, if any, has the cholera been imported into South-ampton ? 2nd. Is its advent due to an epidemic constitutionof the atmosphere ? 3rd. What part a contaminated or in-efficient water-supply can play in the production and dis-semination of this Eastern plague ? These are problems ofdeep-aye, of national interest and significance. They requirefor their solution a painstaking, well-trained, truthful, andphilosophical mind-a man of the highest intellectual endow-ments. All these qualifications are concentrated in the greatpeer of hygiene to whom these inquiries have been submitted;and his report upon this investigation will be hailed withunbounded satisfaction and confidence by the profession andthe public at large.Southampton, Oct. 13th, 1865. t
DUBLIN.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
ARRANGEMENTS are now being actively carried out for theopening of our coming winter session, which, as your readersare aware, in this city does not commence until November.Amongst the novelties announced is the conversion of SirPatrick Dun’s Hospital, from being one of a purely medicalcharacter, into an hospital for the reception of surgical as wellas of medical cases; as a consequence of which, it comes intoactive competition with our other clinical hospitals as an insti-tution attendance upon which will qualify its pupils to go up fortheir examinations at our different licensing boards. Hithertoits classes have been small, inasmuch as, not being of a medico-chirurgical character, certificates of attendance at it were ofno value to their holders, unless they were candidates for theM.B. of Trinity College, Dublin, where, by the School of PhysicAct, an attendance for nine months in its wards was and iscompulsory upon all candidates for this degree. Now, how-ever, surgical cases being admitted, its certificates will be ofequal value with those of our other clinical hospitals ; and, inthe great race of competition, it starts with this decided ad-vantage in its favour-that every candidate for a degree inthe University of Dublin, no matter what amount of hospitalcertificates he may have elsewhere procured, must, as a matter
471
of necessity, produce a certificate of attendance for nine months in the wards of Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital-a requirement Iwhich seems scarcely fair to those other hospitals whereclinical medicine is taught, and where, to say the least of it,the fame of the Dublin School of Medicine has been in greatmeasure earned. It was in the wards of the Meath Hospital,and not in those of Sir Patrick Dun’s, that Graves and Stokeswon their wide-spread reputation, Corrigan his in the Hard-wick, Marsh his in Steevens’; and yet, so far as the School ofPhysic Act goes, the existence of these institutions is ignored,and, contrary to the spirit of the age, the principles of freetrade are overlooked in favour of this fortunate institution.Not that your correspondent would wish to be understood assaying one word in disparagement of the noble hospital, or ofits talented medical staff : quite the contrary. All he con-tends for is that the University of Dublin should so alter itsarrangements as to give a clear stage and no favour to all ourclinical hospitals, and in that case he feels satisfied that SirPatrick Dun’s will hold its own position-a position which heventures to add will not be jeopardized by the appointment ofthe surgeons who have been selected to take charge of the sur-gical wards; two better appointments could not have beenmade than those of Robert Smith, Professor of Surgery, andof Benjamin M’Dowall, Professor of Anatomy, in the Universityof Dublin.Dublin, Oct. 17th, 1865.
Medical News.ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND.-The
following members of the College, having been elected Fellowsat-previous meetings of the Council, were admitted as such onthe 12th inst.:-
Fife, Joseph Bainbridge, Newcastle-on-Tyne; diploma of membershipdated June 25, 1842.
Hoare, William Parker, Dartford; April 9,1836.McLeod, Alexander Charles, the Queen’s Indian Army; Nov. 13, 18W.Oldham, James, Brighton; Dec. 10, 1SI1.
APOTHECARIES’ HALL. - The following gentlemenpassed their examination in the Science and Practice of Medi-cine, and received certificates to practise, on Oct. 12th:—
Arrowsmith, William Hixon, Coleshill, Warwickshire.Knott, Sydenham John, St. Mary’s Hospital.Lyons, Moses, Birmingham.Taylor, James Marc, Hanley, Staffordshire.Webster, Thomas James, Conway, North Wales.
THE COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP. - During the last threedays an examination in Mathematics, Classics, and French,for the Fellowship of the College of Surgeons, has been going ’;,on. The names of the successful candidates cannot be ascer-tained until next week.
ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.-The work of preparingfor the erection of St. Thomas’s Hospital on its new site bythe side of the river at Stangate, is already begun.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL. - Notice has beenreceived of the munificent bequest of E4000 to the above insti-tution by the late Nathaniel Soames, Esq., of Warwick-
gardens, Kensington.GLASGOW MEDICAL SOCIETY.-The fifty-second an-
nual meeting of this Society was held in the Faculty Hall, St.Vincent-street, on Tuesday evening, when the following wereelected office-bearers for the session 1865-66 :-President, Dr.G. H. B. Macleod; Vice-presidents, Dr. Geo. Robertson andDr. J. G. Wilson; Treasurer, Dr. R. Perry ; Secretaries, Dr.W. R. Hatrick and Dr. Maclaren.
KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-The following opera-tions will be performed at this hospital to-day (Saturday,Oct. 21st) :-By Mr. Fergusson : Removal of hypertrophiedbreast; removal of tumour from the parotid region ; removalof tumour from the breast; removal of loose cartilage from theknee-joint ; for cicatrix after burn. By Mr. Wood : Removalof tumour from the superior maxilla ; excision of the knee-joint. By Mr. H. Smith : Excision of the knee-joint.
PRESENTATION.-The officials employed at the rail-way stations of Haverfordwest, Clarbeston, Johnstone, andMelford, have presented a beautiful silver inkstand to E. P.Phillips, Esq., Surgeon, for his kind and constant attendanceduring a late period of severe illness amongst them.
PATENT MEDICINE LICENCES.-In the year endingMarch last, the sum of .S6125 was paid to the revenue by10,922 vendors of patent medicines.THE WARSAW LUNATIC ASYLUM has recently been
visited by the police; and of 144 patients, 50 were found tobe political offenders, who had used the asylum as a place ofrefuge. The physicians as well as the offenders were arrested.SANITARY STATE OF LINCOLN.—The inhabitants ofLincoln are now zealously engaged in improving the sanitarystate of the city. The mortality is considerably above the,average, being nearly 28 per 1000.NAVAL MEDICAL SUPPLEMENTAL FUND.-At the
quarterly meeting of the Naval Medical Compassionate Fundheld on the 10th inst., Dr. J. W. Johnston, Inspector-General,in the chair, the sum of £ 85 was distributed among the various.claimants. During the last five years upwards of £ 1400 hasbeen awarded to the necessitous families of deceased members.
MR. R. H. ALLNATT, the Sussex meteorologist, hasbeen making observations on the deposition of dew in therecent foggy nights, the result of which is a conclusion that,in his neighbourhood at all events, the amount of dew depositedin four nights was equal to a ton and a half per acre.
INFANTICIDE.-It was resolved at the WarwickshireQuarter Session this week, ’’ That a memorial be presentedfrom this court to Secretary Sir George Grey, calling attentionto the great increase of infanticide and concealment of birth ofchildren, and urging the necessity of some amendment of thelaw with a view to remedy the evil."
KING’S COLLEGE, LONDON. - The Medical Societycommenced its sittings on the 12th inst., when an introductoryessay was delivered by Dr. H. L. Kempthorne, on the MutualRelationship of Students. The lecture, which was of a veryentertaining as well as instructive character, was listened to.with marked attention and applause by a crowded assembly,which included many old pupils of the College. The chairwas taken by Mr. Francis Mason, the newly elected Presidentof the Society.
BEQUEST TO A PHYSICIAN.-The Duke de GramontCaderousse, well known on the turf and in the Paris fashion-able world, has left the remains of his fortune, which, thoughimpaired by prodigality, is said to be still something consider-able, to his physician, Dr. Desclot, with the exception of alegacy of £ 2000 to some other person.A NICE POINT OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS.—M.
Gibert lately stated before the Academy of Medicine of Paristhat in the diarrheea premonitory of cholera (miasmatic diar-rhœa) the tongue is swollen, pale, moist, white, and coveredwith a layer of mucus; whilst in bilious or inflammatorydiarrhœa the tongue is red, dry, small, and sharp-pointed.MR. R. J. HARDING, who was elected on the 13th
inst., at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, to a Senior TaylorScholarship, is the son of Mr. Wm. Harding, Vice-president of £the Medical Society of London. Mr. R. J. Harding was from.University College, where he obtained the MathematicalAndrew Scholarship at the end of last session, and where hehad previously been Cook Prizeman of the College School.THE SANITARY STATE OF THE EAST.-The Secre-
taries of State fdr Foreign Affairs and Public Works haveaddressed a report to the Emperor of the French, which pointsout the advantages of proposing a diplomatic conference, com-posed of the representatives of the powers interested, touchingthe reforms to be introduced into the management of sanitaryaffairs in the East. The report rests mainly on the assertionthat the spread of cholera might have been prevented had anysupervision been exercised in the ports where ships, crowdedwith Mecca pilgrims, had put in, the vessels having on boardseveral cases of the disease.
GALACTOZYME.—Galactozyme, or galozyme, is theresult of the fermentation of milk by means of yeast, and isused, as stated by Dr. Schnaepff in the Gazette Hebdomadaire,by the inhabitants of the Steppes of Russia as a sovereignremedy in phthisis. Cases are mentioned in Dr. Schnaepif’sarticle where the patients gained considerably in weight bytaking half a tumblerful night and morning; but the dosesmust be regulated by the peculiarities of the patient. Nor
! is it indifferent whether the fermentation is carried to a greateror less extent.
