firmly in sentiment, as to their utility, with the writer of the first communication on the subject-ED. ON THE IDENTITY OF PERSONS. In one respect, the whole world presents a representation of the Comedy of Errors, on a vast and extensive scale, in which each individual plays his part, and that without a prompter. It is not for us to interfere in the casts of character of this great drama!-we have enough to do with that allotted to us; and shall content ourselves with occasional references to such individual instances, as seem in some degree connected with medical pursuits. Shakspeare, in penning the inimitable comedy above named, has but exhibited examples of extreme resemblance, which, although probably often noticed, had never before been so well depicted. Numerous instances have since appeared, to show that however infinitely varied is man, yet nature does not always break the mould. The deceptions this singular coincidence has led to, are well evinced by the details of trials, on the subject of Identity. If any one desires to see an outline of the fact, he will find some singular cases in Fodere's excellent" Traité de Médicine legale," Vol. I. derived from authentic sources, and some of which we may, perhaps, introduce hereafter, as the subject is not sufficiently known in this country. We have, however, had cases of a similar character in our courts, which appear to have been nearly as perplexing to our lawyers as the Dromios and Antiphilus' of Shakspeare to each other. Within a few days, we have seen a case reported in the papers, as occurring in Baltimore, in which the resemblance of one person to another had nearly involved an innocent man in the penalties due to the guilty; (see Balt. Fed. Gaz. of June 17,) and as was the case in one unfortunate instance detailed by Foderé. In adverting to the means of verifying Identity, this excellent physician states that the old laws and ordinances required three proofs. 1.-As derived from the public registers. 2. From the constant possession of a name and surname. 3.--From presumptions drawn from the unanimous testimony of a great number of persons, of a recollection of numerous facts appertaining solely to the individual; from signs attached to the person, such as spots, excrescences, mutilations, scars, family likeness, and so forth. "But, says Foderé, experience has but too well evinced, that the tribunals can not always enlighten their judgment, by proofs derived from titles; that nothing is more uncertain than human testimony; and that titles, without the concur rence of all the other means, will often prove very equivocal. "I remember, says he, to have formerly read somewhere, that the parliament of Besançon condemned to death, about fifty years ago, as an imposter, an individual who called himself De Sales, although supported by all the titles which apparently associated him to the family he claimed relation to. His resemblance to the real person, from whom he had undoubtedly stolen, or counterfeited the titles, was such as to cause his identity to be acknowledged by several old domestics, and by the nurse of him whom he represented. Such cases have frequently made it necessary to call in the aid of physicians, to know, if interrogating nature, she would afford indications more certain than those that are derived from moral proofs. These last depend, in some measure, on our will, and on certain combinations of chance:-but it is not in our power to change the form of our limbs, to attain certain corporeal signs, or divest ourselves of them; and were it only the affair of the unfortunate Baronet, dishonoured and sent to the gallies, for having proclaimed himself what he truly was; and afterwards restored to his former standing, after a consultation of the celebrated surgeon Louis;-This case alone is sufficient to cause judges not to neglect this kind of elucidation, and men of science to accustom themselves to note with care, every peculiarity that can lead to the discrimination of individuals." NOTE. Such freaks of nature, by which one person so frequently resembles another, were not unknown to the ancients. Pliny has written a chapter under the title of Exempla Similitudinum.-Scarcely, says he, could the great Pompey be distinguished from the plebeian Vibius, and Publicius the freedman, so great was the resemblance; Cneus Scipio, from a vile slave called Serapion; the pro-consul Sura, from a fisherman of Sicily; the consuls Lentulus and Pamphi lus, from two actors, Sphinter and Pamphilus; the orator Cassius Severus, from a leader of cattle, named Mermillo, &c.,—and he cites likewise the fact of the imposter Artemon, whom Laodice, wife of Antiochus, king of Syria, put in the place of her husband, lib. 8. c. 12. Valerius Maximus, lib. 9. c. 14.-giving the details of this last fact, relates that Laodice having got rid of her husband, in order to reign in his stead, placed Artemon in her bed, whose resemblance was so perfect with that of Antiochus, that having introduced into her chamber the nobles and the people, as if to hear his last will, they were completely deceived by the similarity of his voice and face, and really believed that the dying Antiochus recommended Laodice and her children to them. (To be continued.) DOVER'S POWDERS. The original prescription, by the author of this long known and highly valued remedy, seems very different from the one now pursued in the Pharmacopeias: it is given in the 14th page (8th Ed.) of his treatise, entitled "The ancient physician's legacy to his country" and is as follows: "Take opium one ounce, salt petre and tartar vitriolated, each four ounces, ipocacuana one ounce, liquorice one ounce. Put the salt petre and tartar into a red hot mortar, stirring them with a spoon till they have done flaming. Then powder them very fine; af. ter that slice in your opium; grind these to a powder, and then mix the other powders with Dose from 40 to 60 or 70 grains in a glass of white wine posset, going to bed.-Covering up warm and drinking a quart or 3 pints of the posset-drink while sweating!" these. By this process we should suppose the nitre would be decomposed, as well as the vitriolated tartar. We beg leave to recommend to some of our friends to prepare the article according to the above prescription, and shall be happy to learn the result. We should like also to have a fair comparative experiment made between it, and that prepared by the present formula, in order to ascertain their respective value as a remedy. It would appear that the doses which Dover originally recommends were objected to-and he tells us himself, that "Some apothecaries have desired their patients to make their wills, and settle their affairs, before they ventured upon so large a dose as I have recommended, which is from 40 to 70 grs. -As monstrous as they may represent this, I can produce undeniable proofs, where a patient of mine has taken no less a quantity than an hundred grains, and yet has appeared abroad the next day." "This notion of theirs proceeds entirely from their ignorance, and from the want of knowing the nature of those ingredients that are mixed up with it, for they naturally weaken the power of the opium!"-p. 15. Highly as we esteem Dr. Dover's writings, yet we should have had some difficulty in accrediting this, when computation shows the opium to constitute the 11th part of the ingredients-so that from 4 to 9 grs of opium, were thus exhibited as a dose, to persons apparently unused to it; and if we make the calculation on the supposition that by the process above, a considerable loss is sustained of some articles, the opium will be given in much larger amount. We have, however, in vindication of Dr. Dover to observe, that we find other writers commending the powder as highly, and in doses as large or even larger. Dr. Brocklesby, an army Physician of great eminence in his time, in his excellent "Economical and Medical Observations" has particularly extolled the powder in various diseases;—but without entering into details, it will suffice to state, that his practice is of the most energetic kind, and that even at this. day, the work would well admit of a reprint amongst us. In speaking of dropsy, he mentions its use to ii.-and in chronic rheumatism,.. when other measures failed, he produced the most salutary effects by Dover's powders, sometimes to the amount of 32. (120 grs) in twenty-four hours; his usual dose was however 30 grs. every twelve hours for a week together, the patient lying in bed without sheets. His administration of Nitre, was no less extraordinary; in acute rheumatism in athletic persons, he used to bleed copiously, and give 600 grs of nitre daily, diluted in water gruel, in the proportion of about two drachms to a pint. Upon the whole then, there can be no reasonable doubt of the great extent to which Dover pushed his favourite remedy, and if we do not find it as successful in our hands, it may deserve consideration if our practice is not unnecessarily timid in its use; at the same time, as we before hinted, it may be well to inquire what influence the mode of preparation recommended by Dover, may actually possess in restraining the activity of the opium in it. It the substance so called in the shops. is in fact an oxyd of the metal-that is, a combination of certain proportions of Arsenic and of Oxygen.-It has also been called Arsenous acid, because it possesses certain acid properties-and is moreover capable of uniting with a lar ger amount of oxygen, and constituting another (the Arsenic) acid, with properties rather different from the preceding. In the following columns will be found several marks by which the one could be readily distinguished from the other; other means might be mentioned; but requiring a greater degree of chemical knowledge than the foregoing, they are not at present introduced.-ED. NAVY. A Medical Board, appointed by the Secretary of the Navy of the United States, met in this city on the 14th inst. and adjourned on the 28th. During its sittings, it is understood that several gentlemen were examined for promotion and appointments in the Medical Department of the Navy. The Board was composed of Drs. E. CUTBUSH, W. P. C. BARTON, T. HARRIS, and BAILY WASHINGTON. We believe this is the first time such a measure has been adopted; and we augur well to the real interests of the navy therefrom. Too much has heretofore been effected through the instrumentality of recommendations in the Medical Department, both of the army and navy. It is utterly impossible that nine-tenths of the signers of such recommendations should have any knowledge of the facts therein contained;and equally so, that, having no acquaintance with Medicine or Surgery, they could judge of the merits of the applicant! In republics, as elsewhere, it is too much the case, that kissing goes by favour;-hence the necessity that has hitherto existed, of a young applicant, for Medical or other standing in the service of his country, having not merely two, but twenty strings to his bow.-We think we may congratulate the country on this new order of things, and hope to see the same step adopted in the army. Now We cannot omit now, whilst upon this sub: ject, to express surprise at the very low pay which is received by the Surgeon and Surgeon's Mates, viz: $50 per month for the former, and $30 for the latter, which with two rations per day, make it equivalent to about $800 per anwhen it is considered that the prime of life is num for the one, and $560 for the other." thus wasted away, with scarcely a possibility of laying up a farthing;-that ours is a profession requiring years to attain a practice adequate to support a family; and that when the navy is left by the Surgeon to engage in private practice, years must still revolve before he can gain that standing which his experience entitles him to; when all this is considered, it must be obvious to every well informed person, that our profession, which in its mere attainment involves much time and expense, is absolutely reduced below the standard of a mere mechanical business-in which the very clerks are better paid. We look with gratification at the energy of our worthy Secretary of the Navy, and sincerely hope, that the measures he proposed to Congress for its benefit, will meet that attention to which they are so justly entitled-and in which the welfare of our country may be said to be involved.-ED. We are compelled at present to omit our Meteorological and other notices of a like character-but shall endeavour to bring them to the end of the month, in our next paper.-Matter indeed, begins to thicken upon us, and we find our columns, though so closely printed, much too small to fulfil our own wishes, and those of our obliging correspondents.-ED. Notice. It is intended to devote the last cal books, either printed or in the press;—and page of each paper to advertisements of Medialso, any connected with the business of the Druggist and Apothecary. A box for communications, addressed to the editors of the Æsculapian Register, will be kept at Mr. Desilver's store, No. 110, Walnut-street. PUBLISHED (EVERY THURSDAY) BY ROBERT DESILVER, NO. 110, WALNUT STREET, PHILADA. At $3 per annum, payable in advance. R. Wright, printer. THE ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS VOL. I. EDITED BY SEVERAL PHYSICIANS. PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, JULY 8, 1824. SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF WIDOWS AND OR PHANS OF MEDICAL MEN. It is well known that persons connected in one common pursuit, whether professional or in the mechanical branches, have, on many occasions, associated themselves into societies respectively, in order to benefit their families when left destitute, after their death, from funds arising from a small annual subscription during their own lives. It is a meritorious plan, and one to be encouraged in every class of society. No one can tell what may be the situation of his family when he is removed, and their dependance on his exertions, thus cut off for ever! The vicissitudes of life are too great and too often exemplified, even in those who considered themselves exempted from the chances of ever needing assistance, not to have produced an anxious feeling in most persons who have the common moment of affection for their wives and chil dren. Impressed with the benefit which the profes sion of medicine in its various branches might derive from such an association; and having witnessed repeatedly, the distressed condition into which the families of medical men have been plunged by their unexpected decease, before they have been able to attain a sufficiency for their support;-we feel desirous to see a general fund established, under proper regulations, by which the families of subseribers No. 4 To render it effi may be secured from want. cient, the association should be general throughout the union-and we persuade ourselves, that few physicians could be found, who would not cheerfully pay a small annual sum, to forward a plan of this beneficent tendency, even although they may perceive no chance of their own families ever needing assistance from it. Such a society, having proper officers located in some central point, to collect and superintend the funds accumulating, and place them out to the best advantage; and using only the interest arising therefrom, for the object in view; might certainly soon be brought into existence and laws and regulations be adopted for the due performance of their trust. What plan would be most advisable would require consideration; but we have the example of such a Society in Great Britain, where its benefit is daily perceived. In hopes these ideas may be encouraged, and that such a measure may be carried into effect, we have ventured to call the attention of our medical brethren throughout the union to it-and trust it may be approved of generally, and be shortly acted upon. The only difficulty is in beginning it. The first step is to procure subscribers to the plan: and in order to test the likelihood of its accomplishment-we shall cheerfully undertake to provide a book in which such persons names and residence shall be registered, as are favourable to it; any letter, post paid, addressed to the editors of the Esculapian Register on this head, will be attended to; and when a sufficient number to form a beginning, are enrolled, measures may be adopted for the formation of the Society. As nothing can be required but through the call of the officers, when appointed: and as all will be interested in having the subscription at the lowest possible ratio that bids fair for a continuance of the plan; it is trusted that the editors will not be considered as deviating from their duties, which are altogether connected with the interests of medicine, in thus making themselves temporary agents in it, for unless some one takes the lead, it never can be accomplished. We presume there may be throughout the United States, one physician at least to every thousand persons-calculating, the population at ten millions, we shall have ten thousand medical men, who, at say $1 per annum, would immediately form a fund of $10,000. Admit the investment of this amount annually with increase by interest, in ten years we should have a capital of more than $100,000-yielding an interest of above $6000. At this period it might go into complete effect, and its benefits be realized by numerous widows and orphans constantly applying for relief, under such restrictions as might be concluded upon. The plan is a simple one, and certainly feasible. It deserves encouragement, for it is founded on brotherly affection amongst members of one common profession-its ultimate object is the relief of those who must otherwise suffer, and depend on charity for support and finally it is calculated to make each member of the profession, who is in straightened circumstances, feel a degree of satisfaction on leaving the world, at the assurance that his family will not be absolutely dependent on strangers for a scanty support.-En. Editors of newspapers who may be favourable to this plan, are respectfully requested to give the above an insertion in their columns, BRONCHOTOMY IN CASES OF DROWNING, Much difficulty generally attends the infla tion of the lungs in cases of drowning, &c. even when the requisite apparatus is at hand. Now as the success of the resuscitation of the patient may be considered as chiefly depending on the early accomplishing this important intention; what reason can be given, why, promptly opening the trachea and blowing through a quill, a tobacco pipe, or other tube, which may be easily procured, should not always be resorted to? We are inclined to believe that numbers might thus be restored, whose lives are probably lost, by the delay attending the obtaining warm applications, &c.-and from the very imperfect manner in which the inflation of the lungs is accomplished!—That such a rational plan of treatment should never have been put into execution is surprising, since the idea is not a new one. We find it strongly recommended by Southwell in his Medical Essays & Observations published in 1764. Vol. 3. p. 118.—He regards it as the dernier ressource; we should consider it as entitled to the first rank; especially as it can be performed instantaneously, and whilst other measures are getting ready. It is one of little or no danger, and may be performed by almost any person of common understanding, even with a pen-knife, if no other instrument is at hand. We may in these cases indeed divest ourselves of all idea of danger, except that of delay; for it is one, in which those words, spoken on another important occasion, are peculiarly applicable, that thou doest, do quickly!—The patient is perfectly passive, and can experience no pain-and should it not prove successful, the probability is, that no other plan would be more so; and hence no disadvantage whatever can ensue from the one recommended.-Should it on the contrary be found to answer, how much loss of time and anxiety may be saved to all concerned!—As for the wound itself, it will heal readily, and with little trouble to the patient. We suggest it therefore, to our Humane Society, as well worthy a fair and sufficient trial. VAMPYRISM. No. 2. "In proceedings against the bodies of Vampyres, all the forms of justice are maintained; witnesses are cited and heard; opinions are weighed, and the dis-interred bodies are examined, to see if the ordinary marks of Vampyrism are present, to enable a judgment to be made, if they are those that molest the living. These marks are mobility, and suppleness of the limbs, fluidity of the blood, and incorruption of the flesh. If such marks are discovered, the bodies are delivered to the executioner to be burned. It sometimes happens, that the spectres still appear for three or four days after the execution. Sometimes the burial of the body is delayed for six or seven weeks, when suspected. If they do not putrify, and their limbs continue supple and moveable as when alive, they are then burned. We are assured as a fact, that the clothes of these persons move, without any one touching them; and not long since, at Olmutz, continues the same author, was seen a spectre, who threw stones, and gave much trouble to the inhabitants." We come now to some details of the Hunga rian Vampyres, who sucked the blood of the living,-as detailed by Calmet. "It is now about fifteen years, that a soldier being billetted with a peasant on the frontiers of Hungary, whilst setting at table with his host, saw an unknown person enter, who took a seat beside them. The master of the house was |