ments. On the subject of this disease, Mr. Carmichael has published a second edition of his Essay, enlarged by a great number of cases, in which his proposed remedy seems to have been of decided advantage. Mr. Carini chael's Essay contains many curious facts and observations -on diseases, and on the effects produced upon them by medicine. One fact, in particular, states, that the carbonate of iron, when applied to simple ulceration, or venereal chancre, brings on violent pain and inflammation; but is completely unirritating to the cancerous sore. This fact has so frequently occurred to Mr. Carmichael, that he does not doubt its truth. If so, this substance affords, were it required, a criterion by which to distinguish cancerous ulceration. The Medico-Chirurgical Transactions gives a very distinctly marked case of hydrophobia, by Dr. Marcet; which was likewise seen by Dr. Yelloly, Mr. Astley Cooper, and other Medical Gentlemen. It terminated fatally in five days. An examination of the body took place, which has not proved more explanatory than other dissections. There was some appearance of inflammation in the stomach; "the pharynx was considerably inflamed, behind both the mouth and nose; and in the oesophagus there were several detached spots of inflammation at various distances, in the course of the canal." Two practical inferences are deduced from the history of this case. 1st. It confirms the inutility of opium, and proves that the preparations of iron and of arsenic have no power over this disease. 2d. That as pain about the part bitten is one of the earliest indications of the virus becoming active, it shows, with much probability, that for an indefinite time, gene. rally not less than three weeks, the poison remains at the part where it was inserted; and therefore it is never too late to employ the knife or caustic. As it cannot be proved that the virus spreads immediately from the part where it is inserted, or at all, until some local morbid action supervenes; no hypothesis should operate, at any period, to prevent the employment of excision, or other topical means for its destruction. Dr. Geo. Lipscomb insists on the necessity of destroying the bitten part, either by excision or caustic, and recommends the employment of mercury; a medicine, which, notwithstanding its failure in every authentic instance, this writer still considers as fully equal to the cure of hydrophobia. If Dr. Lipscomb has experienced its efficacy in so many instances, why are those instances concealed? Because the disclosure might expose the feelings of hist patients, says the Doctor, to inquiries highly "indecorous and distressing," and to "curiosity, indelicate or impertinent." We consider it as a great misfortune, that the delicate feelings of Dr. Lipscomb's patients should prevent the publication of that evidence which alone can establish his assertions. But if the opinion and conclusions of Mr. Maryan are to be admitted, society will sustain no loss by this suppression of evidence. It has been the fate of rabies to excite, at one time, the most serious alarm; and at another, to have its very existence, as a disease sui generis, denied. After a detail of cases, and a series of observations so recently reported, and authenticated by men of undoubted veracity and knowledge, some surprise was occasioned by a Treatise "explaining the impossibility of the disease termed hydrophobia being caused by the bite of any rabid animal." The reasonings of Mr. Maryan will no more induce the public to suffer dogs afflicted with this disease to range without controul, wherever their disorder impels, than the arguments of those ingenious gentlemen, who would persuade the world that plague is not contagious, will make the governors of states neglect every means to prevent its importation. Neither can we yet be persuaded, that the hypothesis of Mr. Maryan, or the assertion of Mr. Lipscomb, in favour of a particular remedy, will prevent the honest and intelligent practitioner pursuing the only right mode of in-. quiry. By a close, faithful, and unprejudiced observation. of symptoms throughout every stage of the disease; by an attention to the apparent effects of medicine upon it, making an accurate distinction between those effects and its natural phenomena; and by a minute examination of morbid appearances ou dissection, by men duly qualified, much may yet be done, to combat this hitherto invariably fa al disorder.* There *The inhabitants of Hoya de Castalla, in the Southern part of Valencia, have, from time immemorial, been in possession of a remedy for the bite of the viper. This remedy is composed of sea holly, (Eryngium maritimum), vipers bugloss (Ecnium vulgare), thorny madwort, (Alyssum spinosum), and cretan balm (Melissa cretica). These plants are taken when The identity of the Melissa cretica seems doubtful. Cavanilles says, the plant used is the Nepeta marifolia. We are still as much at a loss. What is the Nepeta Marifclia? There is another point connected with this inquiry, which, if properly attended to, may further elucidate the natural and medical history of rabies. The progress of disease among dogs and other animals presents a wide and almost uncultivated field for investigation. By exploring this, discoveries may possibly be made of essential importance to the right understanding of hydrophobia. In France, the disease has been propagated among quadrupeds by inoculation. In the preceding numbers of this Journal, Mr. Surr has given an interesting, and we trust a faithful history of this disorder, as it appeared in horses; and Dr. Jenner, (Medico-Chir. Trans. vol. I. 1809) by Observations on the Distemper in Dogs, has set an example highly worthy of imitation; and has accurately taught us to distinguish between that disease and Rabies. The distemper has the marked character of being "as contagious as the small-pox, measles, and scarlet fever, among the human species; and the contagious miasmata, like those arising from the diseases just mentioned, retain their infectious properties a long time after separation from the distempered animal." From the study that has been applied to the diseases of quadrupeds, since veterinary medicine has become a branch of regular scientific education; and, more especially, from the attention that has been given to the variola vaccina, from the time Dr. Jenner brought it before the public, it may be expected that a full and accurate view when they begin to run to seed, and dried in the shade till all their humidity is evaporated. Each is then separately pulverized, and passed through a hair sieve. These powders are mixed together in equal quantities, to form the medicine. The dose for a man, 1 scrup. ; for a dog, 1 dr.; to be taken morning and evening, for nine days, in wine and water. We have been induced to copy this recipe from the positive assertion that the Spanish Botanist, Cavanilles, as well as some physicians of Spain, have found it a completely successful remedy for hydrophobia. marifolia? The Nepeta cataria, a native of Britain, possesses some active qualities and should not be overlooked in this inquiry. It is tolerably well authenticated that this plant occasions abortion in cattle that chance to feed on it; and cats are so delighted with it, that they cannot be kept out of the garden where it grows Ray asserts, that cats will not touch the plants raised from seeds, but only the transplanted ones: and Millar confirms this from his own experience. This fact was probably first noticed from an old dogrell rhyme. If you set it, The cats will eat it; The eats will not know it. The undeniably powerful effect the N. cataria has on the nerves of the cat, may encourage a slender hope; where every thing has hitherto failed, it should be tried. The Journal from which the Spanish recipe is copied, blunders so much on the Bur tanical names, calling Sea Holly Eryngium campestre, that it cannot claim much, confidence; and perhaps, Nepeta marifalia is of its own creation, view will soon be had of the morbid derangements of this class of animals.* We have already seen a disease of the cow, which a few years ago was either unknown or unnoticed, exciting the observation of mankind in all parts of the world; and leading to physiological and pathological disquisitions that develope some mysteries of animal life, in a manner, at once interesting to the philosopher, and beneficial to society. In the progress of the inquiry into those diseases among quadrupeds, which are connected with, and influence the health of the human race, it is to be much regretted, that so small a portion of liberality has been exercised. Indecorous language and finesse have marked the conduct of some busy supporters of vaccination, in this country at least; while its opposers have invented unsuccessful cases, distorted truth, and abused the public feeling, by fabricating relations of new and loathsome diseases, arising from the introduction of this morbid poison into the human frame. Though the disgraceful manner in which this controversy has been conducted subsides, as the persons origi nally concerned in it retire from the combat; yet vaccination itself is, perhaps, in more danger from the scientific scrutiny to which it has this year been subjected. Indeed, from attacks conducted with moderation, liberality, and science, it can only be defended by the truth of its principles, and the efficacy of its practice. Among many publications on vaccination in 1809, the most consider able are Thomson's plain statement of facts in favour of cow-pox. Smith's comparative advantages of cow-pox ⚫ and small-pox inoculations. Brice's practical observations on the inoculation of cow-pox. Brown's inquiry into the anti-variolous power of vaccination. Report of the sur geons of the Edinburgh vaccine institution; containing an examination of the opinions and statements of Mr. Brown. Brown's letter in reply to this report. And Carneiro's reflections and observations on the practice of vaccine inocu lation. The last in this list, purporting to be the production of a Portuguese physician, is remarkable for its prejudices, blunders, and false statements. Hostile to the cause of vaccination, * A Treatise on the Diseases and Management of Sheep, by Sir G. S. Mackenzie, affords a valuable accession, this year, to veterinary medicine; and gives the best detail hitherto made public, of the treatment of the dis orders incident to this useful animal, illustrated by its Anatomy, vaccination, it repeats the absurdities of the lowest English anti-vaccinists; and from the circumstance of its promulgation among a superstitious and ignorant people, it is formed to produce an effect injurious to a cause which. every friend to science and to mankind must wish to see fairly investigated.* The practical part of medical literature has been further increased by Mr. Ward's facts, establishing the efficacy of opiate frictions in spasmodic and febrile diseases; Observations on the use of mercury in hepatic affections, by Drs. Saunders and Curry; by a republication of Professor Hamilton's treatise on female complaints; and by a third edition of Dr. James Hamilton's observations on the utility and administration of purgative medicines in several disAlso by a new edition of Mr. Hunter's treatise on the venereal disease, with a commentary by Dr. Adams. Dr. Arnold's observations on the management of the insane; and Cheyne's pathology of the larynx and bronchia. The Ars Obstetrica and the Materia Medica have likewise received considerable additions. eases. In the first, Mr. Burns's principles of Midwifery; and in the second, a new edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the College of Physicians of London, claim particular attention. Notwithstanding we already possess some valuable systematic treatises on the principles and practice of midwifery, the work of Mr. Burns cannot be considered as superfluous. It comprehends the practical improvements of the present period, and gives a full and faithful view of the science as it now appears. In particular, it has the excellence of connecting every subject, directly or indirectly appertaining to the theory or practice of obstetrics. After a lapse of twenty years and upwards, the additions made to the catalogue of our Materia Medica, or a more correct knowledge of the properties of substances already admitted into that catalogue; an improved nomenclature of chemistry, and a profounder acquaintance with the principles and practice of that art; the general prevalence of terms employed in the sciences of botany and natural history, were deemed by the College of Physicians of suf *With much satisfaction we have learned that the test of re-inoculation with variolous virus has been employed in Dublin, to a considerable extent, on the vaccinated of various periods; and without, in any instance, producing small-pox. This fact is authenticated by the signatures of many respectable surgeons in Dublin. (No. 137.) D ficient |