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The Diseases, although not in general of a very formidable nature, have been greater in number than during last month. The wet weather about the beginning of the month seems to have given origin to various cases of severe catarrh, to cynanche tonsillaris, to rheumatism, and diarrhoea. Croup has also appeared in various parts of the city and neighbourhood. Measles and chin-cough, which had almost entirely disappeared, have been met with in practice; and' fevers, which are never entirely absent, have been of the very worst kind.

Catarrh prevailed very universally, and of almost every degree of severity. In various cases, the lungs have even been slightly affected with inflammation; and in two cases the patients, being evidently predisposed to phthisis pulmonalis, had that disease induced from the above cause. Patients predisposed to this formidable and fatal complaint, are often impressed with those flattering prospects so commonly entertained by phthisical patients, and too often not only inadvertently expose themselves to the probability of its attack, but, as was the case in both the patients alluded to, decline administering any thing for the relief of the catarrh till phthisical symptoms supervened, when, according to our present very imperfect knowledge of these matters, it was too late.

Cynanche tonsillaris has also been very universal in its attack, and in many cases very severe. Although in most instances purgative medicines, with gargles of the diluted acids, have in general effected its complete removal, yet in many cases these means had very little or no effect in arresting the symptoms. In addition to them, the repeated application of blisters over the whole fore part of the throat was of singular benefit. Such was the severity of several cases which came under my observation, that the submaxillary glands seemed greatly enlarged, and in a few instances they even suppurated, and broke externally. This not only proved exceedingly troublesome at the time, but the after consequences of such a state were very unpleasant. These appearances gave origin to the supposition of scrofula existing in the system, when no such disease was present. This ought at all times to stimulate us to the very utmost exertion to prevent such unpleasant consequences. We should not rest contented with having used low diet, purgatives, and blisters, but, in addition to them, we ought to employ general and topical blood-letting, which is frequently followed by the most happy effects. I think I have observed, when the inflammatory

action had not proceeded to suppuration, that the frequent application of warm emollient poultices to the throat, and even the daily use of the warm bath, were, in addition to the above means, of eminent service.

Rheumatism, both chronic and acute, have been occasionally met with in practice. These I have taken notice. of in my former reports with what seemed to me the most rational method of alleviating or removing them, and to these I shall now refer my readers.

Diarrhoea is by no means an uncommon disease in this place about this time of the year. It seems principally caused by the quantity of unripe fruits, with which this part of the world abounds, and which are profusely used by a great many people. The dampness in the early parts. of the month too, probably contributed to its presence. In the first of these, purgative medicines remove it in a very short time, but in some instances I have even found it necessary previously to administer an emetic. In the latter, although purgative medicines may often be used with ad-, vantage, yet, as the existence of the complaint did not. seem so immediately owing to an accumulation of foreign matter in the intestinal canal, they were not, in every case, so immediately necessary. In some cases, indeed, the disease evidently existed from a sort of irritation in the intestines, which purgatives tended more to increase than allay. In such, I have found hyosciamus with a small proportion of opium, of the greatest benefit. It is only by attending to particular existing circumstances, in these as well as in every other complaint, that we are to expect decided success. Not by the plan too common in practice, of entirely overlooking the delicate structure and admirable mechanism of the human body; and rather treating it as a chemist's crucible, than with that minuteness of attention which its very, nature requires. By the one method, we reduce ourselves to mere mechanics of the most dangerous sort, but by the other, we are entitled to rank high in a useful, an honourable, but still very imperfect profession.

Croup has been more commonly felt among us, than I recollect to have seen it for several years. Yet although it has, in some cases, terminated fatally, it has in general been rather of a mild form. Sub-muriate of mercury of course has been the principle remedy we have employed, and in general it has answered our expectations.

The measles and chin-cough, both of which had left us for several weeks, again appeared in various parts of the

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the city. None of the cases, however, have been very se

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Fevers of the very worst and most contagious kind, have appeared in the low and ill-ventilated parts of the Old Town; these have even spread to other parts, and have committed such ravages, as are inseparable from the existence of such a disease.

Frinces Street.

An Account of Diseases in an Eastern District of London, from July 20 to August 20, 1810.

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Several instances of cutaneous affections have lately occurred both in children and adults, some of which have proved very tedious and obstinate.

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This disease is in some cases merely local; it is not preceded by any indisposition, nor does it produce any other unpleasant sensation. Under these circumstances it will often yield to some external application. But in other instances these unpleasant appearances on, the surface depend upon some morbid state of the constitution, which requires the immediate attention of the practitioner; and before any attempt is made to remove the complaint by external means, the general habit must be improved, and the original disease, of which the other is perhaps only the symptom, must be attended to. It has indeed too often been discovered, that an impatience to get rid of what

is unpleasant in appearance, though sometimes salutary in its effects, has been productive of the most serious consequences. From the high character which has been publickly given to some medicines, or the recommendation of . friends, who have been relieved from what they falsely suppose a similar disease, experiments have been made, which, if they have succeeded in removing the symptom, have entailed upon the patient a disease of the most serious nature, and which has sometimes baffled every attempt made by the most skilful practitioner to remove.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BRUMAL RETREAT OF THE
SWALLOW.

As Mr. STEELE (see p. 187 of this Number) appears

to be anxious to establish the truth, and to obviate unfair objections on every point in Natural History, we are much gratified in just now having it in our power to give what we consider as the most accurate opinion on the hibernation of Swallows. The ingenious Author on this subject is well known to us; and as he has given his Readers a list of the authors he has consulted, with references to the particular pages, no fewer than sixty-seven authors, we trust that his inferences will decide the question to the satisfaction of the public. We extract only those passages which appear to bear directly on the point at issue.

"There is, perhaps, no subject in Natural History, which has more engaged the attention of Naturalists, in all ages, than the brumal retreat of the Swallow, neither is there any subject on which more various and contrary opinions have been entertained. Some have supposed that they retire at the approach of winter to the inmost recess es of rocks and mountains, and that they there remain in a torpid state until spring. This was certainly the opinion of Pliny, who says, Abeunt et hirundines hybernis mensisibus; sola carne vescens avis ex iis quæ aduncos ungues non habent; sed in vicina abeunt, apricos secute montium re

cessus,

"Some editions have Africos, not apricos. The latter, however, is certainly the best, for Pliny would surely have applied the adjective to montium, and not to recessus. Thus he would have said, Africo um secutæ montium recessus; or else, Africæ montium secute recessus.

cessus, inventæque jam sunt ibi nudæ atque deplumes. Lib. X. cap. xxiv.

"But notwithstanding that we have the authority of so learned, though at the same time so credulous, a Natural ist as Pliny, it seems almost absurd to suppose that the swallow differs so much in its nature from other birds, as' we do not find any material difference either in its external or internal formation. Others have conjectured that these birds immerse themselves in the water at the approach of winter, and that they remain at the bottom in a state of torpidity, until they are again called forth by the influence of the vernal sun. Linnæus was probably of this opinion, when be said, Hirundo Kustica habitat in Europe domibus intra tectum, unaque cum urbica Autumno demergitur, vereque emergit. But most likely in this, as in some few other cases, he gave credit to the fabulous assertions of others, without examining into the truth of them himself.* There are several instances on record of their having been found in such situations clustered together in great numbers, and that, on being brought before the fire, they have revived and flown away. But unfortunately, few of these accounts have been well authenticated, and the celebrated Mr. John Hunter has clearly prov ed, from various experiments which he himself made, that these birds cannot continue long under water without being drowned. I do not mean to deny that swallows may have occasionally been found under water; for it is welk known that they have, and this probably has given rise to the absurd notion entertained by some, that the whole of the species winter in that element. But I should certainly attribute their being found in such situations to mere accident; and I think it might have been occasioned by some such circumstance as the following:

"It is well known that, towards the latter end of autumn, swallows frequently roost by the sides of lakes and rivers; we will suppose, therefore, that a number of these birds had retired to roost on the banks of some shale. low and muddy river at low tide, and that they had been induced by the cold to creep among the reeds or rushes

* It has been doubted by some, whether Linnæus meant any more, by demergitur and emergit, than that the Swallow was hid, and came forth again.

"This circumstance may have contributed to induce some persous to believe that they go into the water.

(No. 139. )

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