tion of the Blood," was read by Dr. K. Mitchell, who in some slight matters differed from the general impressions upon the subject, and combated in general terms the arguments of those who have denied the fact of the circulation. We have not time to enter into any examination of what was said upon this occasion by either the lecturer or the few members that spoke. The subject was not of a nature to elicit much discussion, although as the lecturer remarked, he had endeavoured to be as heterodox as possible, that this effect might be produced. One member took exception to the old terms of "greater and lesser circulation," as there were rather two semi-circles, and suggested the propriety of the terms, "circulation of the red and black blood." Another member made a few remarks with a view to elicit the lecturer's ideas of what is generally termed the "action of the heart and arteries," but did not, we believe obtain much satisfaction, as it was not strictly connected with the limited view taken of the subject by the lecturer.

LITHOTOMY.

Of all the improvements in Modern Surgery, none are of more importance than a late one of M. Civiale, a Surgeon of Paris, by which the dangerous and painful operation of Lithotomy bids fair to be set aside. Although as yet, it may be said to be in its infancy, nevertheless it carries conviction on its face, that such must unquestionably be the result of its perfection.

It is now, as we learn, above 9 years since the ingenious contriver of the present plan, was led to turn his views to the subject, and finally, to adopt the following, by which his name will probably rank with the highest of those great men, who have given lustre to the important Science of Surgery.-Not having an accurate detail of all the circumstances attending, we can only give a general idea of the measures adopted, with the intention of calling the attention of prac

titioners, so as to lead them to judge of its merits, and probably prevent the recommendation of Lithotomy to those patients who may commit themselves to their care, when labouring under Calculus.

Three instruments appear to be alone required, in the present plan.

1. A silver Canula or Catheter, of 9 or 10 inches in length,and perfectly straight, of about 3 or 4 lines in diameter, which is passed into the bladder, and serves as a defence to the others.

2. A steel Catheter of greater length, and of a diameter sufficient to pass readily through the preceding. The extremity which passes into the bladder, terminates in 3 elastic prongs or tentacula, which expand on being projected beyond the verge of the first Catheter, and are intended as arms, to retain the Calculus in a fixed position, whilst worn down by trituration of the 3d instrument.

3. This 3d instrument consists of a piece of steel, filling up the cavity of the 2d Catheter, and terminating in a small extremity, formed somewhat like a file or terebra whose intention is, to rub down and destroy the calculus, whilst it is forcibly retained in its place by the preceding apparatus. It is worked by means of a drill-bow, &c. (as in boring hole in a piece of metal, &c.) attached to its superior part.

Although this is but a very imperfect sketch of the apparatus employed, it is perhaps sufficient to give an idea of its construction; and of the effect it is intended to produce; a more accurate account will undoubtedly soon be made known. It has already been successfully employed in Paris, in more than 20 cases; and we are happy to learn that it has received the sanction of Dr. Physick, who, we are informed, has given directions for the making of a set of the instruments. The information relative to them, is derived from Professor Brown, of Kentucky, who has recently arrived from Paris, and had an opportunity of seeing them employed in 6 or 8 cases during his residence in that city.

Boston.-22 deaths for the week ending Nov. 5.-Croup 3, Fevers 3, Consumption 5. New York.-96 deaths for the week ending Nov. 6.-Consumption 16, Croup 4, Dropsies 10, Dysentery 3, Fevers 7, Inflammations 15, Small Pox 2.

Baltimore.-28 deaths for the week ending Nov. 8. Consumption 5, Croup 2, Infantile unknown, (of which every week presents us with a large proportion!)

Washington. This place has been stated to be unhealthy, (generally speaking) but we think erroneously. The population is rated at 15,000. There were but 13 deaths during the month of June.-24 in July-29 in August-33 in September-17 in October, (116 in all). Of the the deaths in October, 5 were of fevers, 3 of Consumption, and 3 of Cholera. Norfolk.-15 deaths for the month of Octuber.-Putrid sore throat 4.

Charleston.-The Yellow Fever still lingers, though its violence is much abated; a death or two from it occurring every day. We may soon expect more favourable times however, as frost approaches.-26 deaths for the week ending Oct. 31.-From Yellow Fever 9, Consumption 3, Dropsies 3, Fevers 4. Average height of Thermometer, (3 P.M.) during the week, about 71°.

New Orleans. This city is not yet entirely free from Yellow Fever, though the last ac

counts were more favourable than they had been. The weather is cooler; but it is said that the burials were performed in such a careless manner, that the late violent rains had exhumed the coffins, and as a consequence, vitiated the air.

744 persons died from May 1st, to Sept. 1st. Of these-Consumption 51, Diarrhoea 19, Dysentery 61, Dropsies 11, Yellow Fever 85, Malignant 31, Bilious 44, Putrid 10, other fevers 86, Unknown diseases 136!! Teething 49!

Montreal.--131 patients were admitted into the general hospital from Aug, 1, to Nov. 1, and 177 received advice and medicine as out patients: 28 remained from last quarter, making 336 in all. Of the 159, 102 were In the corresponding cured, and 5 died. quarter last year there were 34 patients less than this year. Of the patients admitted, 44 had Fevers, 13 dropsies, 7 Rheumatism, 11 Ulcers, &c.

Havana.-There are 200 Physicians in this place, not including the Barbers, whose official duty it is nevertheless to bleed and draw teeth.

The dead are buried without coffins; they are borne to the grave in what is called a shell, which is reserved for future use.

NECROLOGY.

Dr. William Wallace, Bedford, (Conn.)
Dr. Charles Plastridge, Canaan, (N. H.)
Dr. Isaac Bull, Hartford, (Conn.)
Dr. Henry Bagg, Princeton.

Sulphate of Quinine-Dr. Martinet recommends that this should be administered from the commencement, in quantities of 20, 30, or 35 grains at a dose!

Parturition. It is now strongly recom mended to keep back the head, when it is advancing too rapidly, by the finger applied to the head itself, and not to the perineum.

Speech and Hearing.-A female child, in her 18th month, after convulsions, lost her speech and hearing. She continued thus, till her 16th year, when, after the noise of a public rejoicing, she was observed to have recovered the sense of hearing, and soon after she began to articulate, but made slow progress.

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MENTAL ALIENATION.-No. 7. We shall endeavour, in the present number, to bring the subject to a conclusion, although we may thereby not do justice to the merits of M. Georget's views. His remarks upon the treatment of this disease in all its different varieties are very copious and interesting, and cannot conveniently be condensed; and we must therefore, be content with a slight exposition of some of them.

Of all the contrivances for restraining and quieting the insane, he thinks the strait-waistcoat (the only one used at la Salpetriére,) the best; though he remarks that Rush's tranquillizer might in some cases be of advantage.

It is remarked, he says, that men generally submit more readily to women, and women particularly to men.

He lays down certain principles which should be followed in the Medical Education of the insane, to be varied however, according to circumstances.

No. 24.

1st. "Never to exercise the minds of the indo this would be like cultivating a parasitic sane in the direction of their derangement. To branch instead of destroying it, which would end by absorbing all the nutritious juices of the tree."

2d. "Never to attack the affections and excited dispositions and tendencies of the insane, openly and in front. They do not think themselves deranged, and the day in which you can persuade them that they are really so, their cure is not far off."

3d. ("Which is a consequence of the two preceding:) to create, by different impressions, new ideas, affections or feelings, moral commotions, to awaken in this way, inactive facul ties."

These effects which he proposes to produce upon the insane, are to be brought about by the following means:conversation, advice of the physician, the society of convalescent maniacs, manual and rural labour, diverting objects, the sight of relations and friends, diminution and cessation of solitary confinement, travelling, &c. He afterwards

takes occasion to mention the injurious and unfeeling practice of exhibiting deranged persons to the gaze of the public; -a practice, not long since abolished in France, and still existing in England, and to a certain extent, in this country. Our Author next enters into a long disquisition upon the importance of post mortem researches, the imperfect manner in which they are often conducted, and the incapability of many to draw conclusions therefrom: the phrenological method of dissecting the brain (if we may so speak) is particularly noticed and commended. In his remarks upon the skulls and brains of the insane, he appears rather sceptical as regards their thickness and thinness, consistency, &c. "The observer should not forget," says M. Georget," that disease of an organ, consists in a lesion, or some alteration of its tissue, the necessary consequence of which is the manifestation of disorders in the function with which it is charged; these two things are, in general, inseparable. But it may happen, that the organic lesion is so slight or little acute, as not to derange the vital exercise; not to give rise to symptoms by which it might be recognized: and that, very serious disturbances of function may be produced by an organic derangement, which to us appears slight, or which perhaps, we do not notice at all; and, in these two cases, the absence (for our senses at least,) of one of the ordinary conditions of the existence of the disease, does not hinder us from placing its seat in the organ, where we meet this sole condition; or in other words, that the lesion of an organ without disturbance of the function with which it is charged, and the disturbance of this function without apparent lesion of the organ, always constitute an organic lesion."

"Among the causes, which may have retarded or hindered the progress of Pathological Anatomy in the insane, and given rise to false inductions, some are relative to the organ affected, to the nature of the disease, and others to the direction given to the researches, &c. &c."

"The Brain. We will now examine this organ, as regards, 1st, Its form and volume2d, Its general consistence-3d, The state of its circumvolutions and interior cavities4th, Its organization.'

"Form and Volume. These two physical properties of the brain have been examined

only in a relative manner; and according to the dispositions of the skull; it would be very easy to be assured of its absolute volume, by plunging the organ into a basin filled with the encephalic mass is less in idiots with small water and graduated. It is very certain that

heads, and ought to be diminished with the thickening of the bones. In the insane, it is sometimes remarked, that it seems smaller than suits the cavity which contains it. When there is scarcely any forehead, the anterior lobes are very slender, and, as it were, mutithe frontal sinus alone becomes very thick, lated; something analogous happens, when without the forehead appearing less well formed."

"General Consistence. Some brains are very firm, even several days after death; they are cut with difficulty. Sometimes the white substance is, as it were, glutinous, elastic, and yields considerably before it separates. A greater number are extremely soft; if the membranes which envelop them are taken away, and they are placed upon their lower face, they sink down, the circumvolutions separate from each other, the corpus callosum is torn, &c. In many of these cases, the white substance leans towards a yellow or dirty white, and the grey is pale and yellowish, so that both are somewhat confounded not only in colour, but in consistence."

"Circumvolutions. Sometimes, these cerebral foldings are broad and well developed, and at others, especially, when the skulls seem very thick, they are small and close. Sometimes these two dispositions exist in the same individual, in different places. I do not here speak of the case of partial atrophy of the brain."

"Internal Cavities. The lateral ventricles, generally of common size, appear, nevertheless in certain cases, either very vast, or very much shrunk-one larger than the otherobliterated-or adhering posteriorly. They are often filled with a very clear and limpid serosity. The plexus choroides are mostly free from blood and discoloured, often containing a number of hydatiform vesicles, &c. The pineal gland rarely presents remarkable peculiarities: M. Esquirol found it wanting in one subject."

"The alterations of organization, the vices in the texture of the cerebral substance, which I have observed, are reduced to the following:-Partial softening-partial atrophy

erosions and ulcerations of the interior of the

ventricles-carcinoma."

"The Pons Varolii is seldom changed. The Cerebellum is mostly less consistent than the