Acute meningitis in 16 cases, tuberculous disease being found in all of them, either in the lungs, the bronchial glands, or in both. The disease was undoubtedly tubercular, though in the first four cases reported, granulations are not mentioned as having been found in the membranes of the brain, not being acquainted at that time with the true nature of the dis

ease,

A case of tubercular peritonitis, also, may be mentioned, in which, though the bronchial glands were considerably diseased, a single granulation only was found in the lungs.

In the above 604 cases, then, death is supposed to have been caused by tuberculous disease in 110, or in about one in 5.

In the remaining 396 cases, death was caused by some other than tuberculous disease; but in all the lungs were examined, and in a large proportion it is expressly stated whether there was, or was not found any such disease. Without doubt, the existence of tuberculous disease was occasionally overlooked, but, on the contrary, it was often noted when found in a very small or even minute quantity.

In the above 396 cases, there was no tuberculous disease nor any remains of any found in 306; the wilted appearance so often met with at the apex of the lungs, not being considered as satisfactory evidence of the disease having formerly existed. The existence of cretaceous matter, however, was so considered, and cases where this was found were noted as tuberculous, without any discrimination. In 46 cases, tubercles were found in the lungs alone, and in 21 in the lungs and bronchial glands. In 20 they existed only in the bronchial glands, and were in the cretaceous form in all except two. In two cases there were cretaceous masses in the upper part of the thorax, supposed to be the result of old tuberculous disease, though there was no appearance of this last in the lungs, nor in the bronchial glands; neither was there in another case in which an extensive cretaceous deposit was found in the renal capsules, and which was similarly explained.

Several years since my attention was directed to the subject of the infrequency of the occurrence of the tubercular deposit in patients dying from malignant disease, and I was not aware for some time that the same remark had been made by others. Of 33 cases of malignant disease, in nearly all of which a careful examination was made for tubercles, it is expressly stated that in 24 none were found; six times they were found in the lungs alone, and in the bronchial glands alone three times..

Of 35 patients dying of various diseases, all of whom were decidedly intemperate, and most of them grossly so, in 26 no

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tubercles were found; in five there were tubercles in the lungs; in one in the bronchial glands; in one in the lungs and bronchial glands; and only two died of phthisis. In several of the most striking, the organs were as free from tuberculous disease as those of a new-born infant. All of these 35 are stated, in the recorded history of the case, to have been intemperate; probably others are so recorded, and the list might have been considerably increased; but no case has been referred to under this head, except where I happened to remember that the patient had been intemperate.

Intemperance certainly does not seem to develope tubercles, even if it has not some effect as a prophylactic; the remedy, to be sure, would be worse than the disease; but has it any such effect?-New England Quarterly Journal.

Diabetes Mellitus.-M. BOUCHARDAT read a paper on the treatment of this disease before the Academy of Sciences of Paris, Nov. 15, 1841. The most difficult point in the treatment of this disease is, Mr. B. states, to induce patients to abstain for a length of time, and completely, from all aliments containing fæcula. Although the patient may be firmly convinced that the use of bread is fatal to him, yet, in spite of remonstrance and the utmost vigilance of his attendants, he resumes the nutriment; the diabetic symptoms, which had been moderated during the abstinence from bread, now appear; tubercles are deposited in the lungs, and the patient dies.

In the treatment of diabetes mellitus two important points present themselves for the consideration of the physician; 1. To replace bread by a nutriment containing less fæcula; and 2. To restore the economy to its normal state.

The first of these indications M. Bouchardt has endeavored to fulfil by preparing bread with gluten. M. E. Martin had succeeded in separating the gluten during the manufacture of starch, but it was necessary to add one-fifth of flour to the gluten in order to make eatable bread. The bread thus prepared is light, and of an agreeable taste, and by using it with animal food the patient will take in little more than a scruple and a half of fæcula during the day.

With regard to the second indication the following consid erations guided the author. In diabetes the acid secretion of the skin is suddenly and completely suspended; the mucous follicles and glands of the alimentary canal secrete fluids

+

which are considerably altered in consequence of the change in the cutaneous transpiration, instead of being alkaline they are acid. But are we to conclude that this acid secretion has any influence on the conversion of fæcula into sugar? Certainly not; for the author had long ago ascertained that acids are incapable of producing any such effect at the temperature at which digestion takes place. Connected with this point, however, there is a fact of much importance. Whenever the organic acids, just alluded to, exist in any great quantity, we have joined to them that modification of albumen which assists in the transformation of fæcula into sugar. The same coincidence probably exists in the system of diabetic patients, and the chief circumstances to which we have to attend are the suppressed perspiration, and the perverted secretion of the digestive canal.

M. Bouchardat next alludes to the various attempts which have been made for the purpose of restoring the cutaneous perspiration; he has found no benefit from the vapor-baths, so highly praised by Dr. Bardsley and others, nor from the sulphureous baths, or the hydrosulphate of ammonia, recommended by Rollo. The best means of restoring the functions of the skin, according to the author, are-1. The use of flannel clothing, in sufficient quantity to keep up constant diaphore sis. 2. The internal use of sudorifics.-Am. Jour. Med. Sci., from Provin. Med. and Surg. Journ., Dec. 4, 1841.

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THE WESTERN JOURNAL.

Vol. VI. No. I.

LOUISVILLE, JULY 1, 1842.

TWO EVENINGS' EXPERIMENTS ON MESMERISM.

By the Senior Editor.

Having been informed that several gentleman in Cincinnati were practising Mesmerism, and had discovered a number of individuals who were susceptible to its influence, I determined to witness, for the first time, some of its alleged phenomena. Of these gentlemen, Mr. Elijah Burdsal, druggist, was said to be the most successful mesmeriser, and Mr. George Selves, innkeeper, one of those most easily thrown into a state of somnambulism, or what might more appropriately be called somniloquism. On applying to these gentlemen, they obligingly complied with my request, and the time appointed was Saturday evening, May 7th, 1842. Desirous of having the experiments conducted in a manner best calculated to bring out decisive results, I invited William Greene, Esq., and Mr. William R. Foster, who had made themselves familiar with mesmeric processes, and were firm believers in the reality of the effects said to be produced, and that nothing should be left entirely to my own observation and decision, or reported on my own veracity, I requested Messrs. James Hall, Samuel E. Foote and Robert Buchanan, to attend as observers and recorders of the phenomena these gentlemen having assured me that they had made

up no opinion on the subject of mesmerism. Messrs. E. D. Mansfield, Peyton S. Symmes, Alexander H. McGuffey and Dr. John A. Warder, and several ladies, were present as spectators.

On the arrival of the different gentlemen, at the house of Mr. McGuffey, I stated that my object would not be to ascertain the reality of the mesmeric sleep, which I should grant, but, whether Mr. Selves, while in that condition, could feel impressions made on my organs of sense and general feeling, when I should be placed in connection with him.

On examining the pulse of Mr. S., immediately after walking, it beat 96 in a minute; his health was good; his age between 30 and 40; his temperament lymphatic.

Mr. Burdsal commenced his manipulations 10 minutes after 8 o'clock; and in five minutes pronounced Mr. S. asleep. My left hand was then placed in his, and after a few manipulations I was directed to put a question to Mr. S., which he answered, when Mr. B. pronounced the connection perfect. For the next hour and a half our hands remained in unbroken contact, and I stood by his side. Before any experiments were commenced, and when Mr. S. was not touched, it was observable, that his muscular system was unquiet, and that he moved his limbs, more or less, and also the muscles of his face, giving to his features more or less of distortion.

Experiments on Muscular Motion and Muscular Sensation.

1. Standing so far behind the subject, that if his eyes had not been closed, I could not have been distinctly seen, I took of the gen. up one tlemen with my right arm, and held him as long as it was possible; but Mr. S. gave no indication of sympathy with me in the effort. He did not exhibit more muscular uneasiness than before the experiments, and when interrogated did not complain.

2. One of the gentlemen then placed himself on my shoulder, and at length Mr. S. seemed to shrink away, and raising his left hand, appeared to point towards his shoulder. On being questioned he answered, inarticulately, but in tones which indicated oppression or uneasiness.

Experiments on Respiration.

1. Standing by his side, I breathed with great rapidity for about a minute, during which he raised his left hand toward his head, and also extended his arm; but his breathing remained tranquil.