ARS LONGA,

VITA BREVIS.

VOL. I.

MEASLES-ON THEIR INOCULATION.
No. 2.

Dr. Home, in his Medical Facts and Experiments, p. 253, gives us a chapter on "the Measles as they appeared in 1758, at Edinburgh, and of their inoculation." After a full detail of the first part of the subject, he proceeds to that, which is more particularly the object of the present enquiry.

"Considering how destructive this disease is, in some seasons; considering how many die, even in the mildest epidemical constitution; considering how it hurts the lungs and eyes; I thought I should do no small service to mankind, if I could render this disease more mild and safe, in the same way as the Turks have taught us to mitigate the small-pox. I suspected strongly, that the cough, often so harrassing, even in the mildest kind, was produced by receiving the infection mostly by the lungs; and I hoped that this symptom would abate considerably, if I could find a method of communicating the affection by the skin alone.

"But there was no matter to be had from the measles. A woollen glove taken from the arms of a measly patient would not answer my purpose, as part of the infection might be drawn

No. 8.

in by the lungs. I could not find a sufficient quantity of scaly matter, after the measles were dried, to serve my purpose. I then applied directly to the magazine of all epidemic diseases, the blood.

"As the measly matter behoved to be but a small proportion of the whole mass, I chused to make use of the blood, when it contained the morbific matter in the highest state of acrimony. In that situation the blood seemed to me to be, the next day after the turn of the measles, when their matter, by juxta-position and stagnation becoming more acrid, as we know happens in all eruptive cases, was again absorbed into the mass of blood, and was the cause of the inflammations which happened then, and afterwards. I chused to take it from the most feverish patients.

"I was not contented with that alone, but thought that I should get the blood more fully saturated with what I wanted, if it was taken from the cutaneous veins amongst the measles, than if I took it from a large vein, where there was a much greater proportion of blood from the more internal parts, than from the skin. I therefore ordered a very superficial incision to be made amongst the thickest of the measles, and the blood which came slowly away was received upon some cotton.

"What I had most to fear, was a deficiency

of morbillous matter; and therefore, it was plain, that the sooner it was applied, and the more close it was kept, the better chance it had to succeed. An incision in each arm, as is done in the small-pox, was giving it a greater opportunity to take place. I thought it a very material point to allow the wounds to bleed for a quarter of an hour before the cotton was put in, that the fresh blood might not wash off, or too much dilute the morbillous matter. I have always let it remain three days in the wound. I have kept exactly to all these circumstances, finding that the observance of them was attended with success.

"Under an uncertainty, whether I was able to produce this disease, I made trial, and found it succeed. This success encouraged me to proceed towards completing the discovery. From the prejudices of mankind, I found it difficult to get the blood as I wanted it, and much more difficult to find subjects for inoculation. I shall circumstantially narrate the experiments which are already made, and which appear to me amongst the most material that ever were made for the good of mankind, in this part of the world; for the inoculation for the small-pox was already established in Turkey before it was brought here. Even there it was probably the effect of chance, and not the result of reason. This improvement in our art has been long wished for by many, but never yet, so far as I know, put in practice.

"Experiment 1. March 21st. A child of seven months old, with a scabby head, running behind the ears, and an eruption over its body for three months, but otherwise healthy, was inoculated by the blood taken from a measly child two days before. This was not the fittest subject that I would have chosen to begin with, but no other could be got. We had an opportunity of seeing the mildness of the disease, and of its effects on these eruptions.

"27th. The child was a little hot all last night, and had sneezed often this morning. The tongue was white, and eyes watery. The wound on the right arm was dried up, but that on the left was running plentifully. There was no inflammation on either.

"28th. Was hot and restless last night. Continued to sneeze, but no cough.

"29th. Observed three pustules on the face and one on the back, of a very florid colour. Still sneezes. Coughed thrice this night. Hot and restless last night.

"30th. About a dozen out, and of a very florid colour. Sneezing less. No sore eyes. Child very cheerful.

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April 1st. A few more measles are come out, and larger than the former, which were now beginning to dry. Sneezed a little, but no cough. A little restless during the night.

"2d. Still sneezing. Coughed three times A little restless in the night, but quite cool all

the day. A few more out in the face, the former gone.

"3d. Spots still out. The scabs on the head, and running behind the ears dried up. 4th, Measles going off.

"This child has been free of all eruptions ever since.

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Experiment 2. March 27th.-Inoculated a child of 8 years old, with the same blood, which had been kept ten days loosely in my pocketbook; I was afraid, when I used it, that it was too weak. The 6th day this child sneezed much, but never was hot or struck out. This child took the measles in the natural way, about two months afterwards; which inclines me to think that this failed, not from any particular disposition of the child, but from a deficiency of morbillous matter.

"Experiment 3.—This and the following experiment, was made on two sisters, who had a cough all winter; but were otherwise florid and healthful. The blood was taken the day before, so that the cotton was yet moist. They were inoculated April 20th.

"The eldest about six years, turned hot, thirsty, a little feverish, with a white tongue, and diminished appetite the next day after she was inoculated. I am apt to think that this was rather owing to fear from the incisions, or to cold, than to the nature of the disease, as I never have seen the matter affect others so soon.

"27th. Hot and restless in the night. Sneezes. Has had a looseness last night. No appe tite. Tongue white. Thirsty. Pain in the back part of her head.

"28th. Much the same, but purging gone. A great quantity of water comes out of her eyes, so that she wets many cloths in the day. eyes cannot bear the smallest light, but not in the least inflamed.

Her

"30th. Has had the measles out since yesterday. Pulse quite calm. A great quantity still of sharp humour from her eyes. No ap petite.

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May 1st. Her eyes less weak, and the running diminished. Measles out.

"2d. Eyes well, and the measles gone. Experiment 4.-The youngest was three years old, and began April 27th, to be hot in the night, and to sneeze.

"28th. Started sometimes last night. Cool and easy through the day. Tongue white.

"29th. Not hot last night; but sneezes sometimes.

"30th. Some measles out. Not hot, and no cough. Tongue white.

May 1st.-Not quite so easy as yesterday. "2d. Measles pretty large. More drought. "3d. They were still to be seen out, but disappeared next day.

"Experiment 5.-A sister of the two former, aged eight years, was inoculated May 3d, with the same blood, now 14 days old, but carefully

kept in a glass. 10th, Somewhat uneasy to day. 11th, Pain in her head. Pulse very little affected. Running at her eyes but no inflammation. Loss of appetite, and drought. Sneezés much, and coughs a very little. 12th, Much the same. Some spots have appeared. 13th, About two dozen out. Hot and sneezes. 15th, All the measles gone. This child was out all the day in the open air, till the day of eruption. Experiment 6.-At the same time, a child eight months old was inoculated with the same matter. On the 10th, the child began to be hot, to sneeze, to cough, to have a running from the eyes, and sometimes to vomit. The mother carried it about the country till the 13th, at which time about three dozen of measles appeared. 15th, Are yet to be seen, but beginning to disappear.

"Experiment 7. May 25th.-A child eight years old inoculated with the same blood kept five weeks, but had no symptoms of the dis

ease."

(To be continued.)

TURNER'S CERATE.

John Woodall, an English surgeon, published several tracts under different titles, connected chiefly with surgery about the year 1650-at page 29 of which, he notices the "Emplastrum de lapide calaminari, vel griseum," as the best of incarnative plaisters he ever used. He does not mention its preparation, but from its name and general properties it would seem to differ but little from that which is commonly known by the name of Turner's Cerate.-Salmon, whose Dispensatory was printed about 1676, has a preparation under the name of Emplastrum griseum de lapide calaminari, which is probably the same, and which he speaks of as according to some, healing "green wounds at once dressing."-It consists of Lap. Calaminaris, Litharge, Ceruse, and Tutia, with several other ingredients. Whether Turner took his idea originally from this, we know not; if he did he has greatly simplified the prescription; which he extols above every other known ointment in all superficial hurts. &c. His original formula for an article of real utility, and still continued with slight modifications, in all the pharmacopoeias of the present day, may deserve to be given here, as few persons will now look

into his writings, although of very great merit, and well deserving of occasional reference.

"I know the medicine has been imitated by several, and I have seen somewhat like it in some gentlemen's salvatories, but I know not more than two persons I ever communicated it to, as I was wont to prepare it for my own use, and having laid down that practice, now pub. lickly impart it to be prepared as follows:

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Butyr. recent. Mense Maij. collect. & sine Sale præp. Ceræ citr. optimè defæcat, ana biij. Olei Olivar. rec. & puris. iv. Lapid. Calamin. Select. subtilissimè triti & cribati bij. 3x.

Liquescant Cera & Butyrum in Vasculo proprio, super ignem lentum unà cum Oleo, & liquefacta colentur per pannum Cannabinum in Vas alterum, statimque insperge Pulverem gradatim, continuò agitando Mixturam è fundo Vasis, donec frigescere incipiat, & pulvis præ pondere suo, non amplius subsidere possit.

"The medicine thus prepared is of a good consistence and a true Cerate, serving both for pledgit and plaister, neither sticking troublesomely, nor running off or about, by the heat of the parts, but keeping its body, and performing things incredible: whoever thinks fit to take it into practice, will never repent it, nor perhaps (when he has experienced it as I have done) think I have said too much in its commendation."-Cutaneous Dis. p. 395.

ANIMAL MAGNETISM. No. 4.

this subject, but we only give an account of the most interesting particulars, and will endeavour to be as brief as possible in conclusion.

Numerous are the details, connected with

In the provinces, the system and method underwent great changes. Instead of establishing troughs, the patients were assembled around old trees adorned with a very thick foliage. The crises were caracterised by an exaltation of the faculties of the soul, and by a very exact knowledge of the interior state of one's own body, and that of others. The persons magne tised fell during the manipulations into a sleep, and see all that was going on around them; in which however they did not cease to hear and they saw moreover into their own body, as if they had been in some sort endowed with an entirely new sense. The Chevalier Barbarin established at Ostend a Société de l'Harmonie, in which by means of a decided will or desired Havour; and produced all the effects of even by prayers, they communicated to water a animal magnetism at considerable distances. They went even so far as to explain the miracles of our Saviour by the magnetism of Bar

barin; and the initiatory words of this sect were: "Will it well-Go and heal!"

A French captain, Tardy de Montravel, in a theory of magnetic somnambulism placed the seat of the (internal) sixth sense in the stomach. He also described the way in which a patient saw the solitary worm (or Tania) in her intestines, asserting that it had bones, eyes, and a large mouth with teeth.

One Oswald established in Sweden a philanthropic society, which amalgamated the notions of Swedenbourg with those of animal magnetism.

The wonders of animal magnetism came at last to be considered as the effects of the imagination, the electric fluid, and the regular touchings upon the sensible parts of the body. Mesmer whose name is so intimately connected with the history of animal magnetism died very lately, at an advanced age. We know not what he thought upon the subject in his old age, or whether he resorted to it as a remedy in his own case.

Having now given as concise an account of this subject as was consistent with perspicuity, and entered into as much detail as our columns would admit of, we are happy in conclusion to learn, that our readers in general have been pleased with the introduction of such articles into the Register. It shall always be our endeavour, in the selection of matter, to combine utility and information with amusement.

exam

error. At the trial 300 witnesses were ined: 30 or 40 affirmed the arraigned person was really Martin Guerre, with whom they had from their infancy been in the strictest intimacy; others in nearly equal number certified that this man was called Arnold Dutille; and others found so striking a resemblance between them, that they dared not affirm whether the person presented to them, was the one or the other. The reporter of this celebrated cause, relates, that the perplexity of the Judges was extreme, and that, in spite of very strong reasons against the prisoner, they were on the point of adjudging in his favour, because of the marriage and the legitimacy of the children; but the arrival of the real Martin Guerre, prevented the success of the imposture. Yet the assurance and effrontery of Arnold Dutille seemed to disconcert Martin Guerre, when confronted with him. The Judges were still more uncertain than before, until at length Martin was recognised by his sisters and wife, to the great satisfaction of the Magistrates.—The principles laid down in the relation of this memorable affair, by Mr. de Coras, counsellor to the parliament of Toulouse, the relater of the process, are, that we require proofs more clear than the day to condemn an accused person; and that when any doubt exists, it is infinitely better that a criminal should escape, than that the innocent should be condemned.”

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"A child named François-Michel Noiseu, whose father was a poor bricklayer, was born at Paris, and was baptised at St. Jean en Grève, his parish, the 22d Dec. 1762. He was put out to nurse in Normandy until 16 months old.Sometime after, falling sick, he was bled in the right arm. He had a scar on the inner part of the left knee, from an abscess, cured by caustic, by a surgeon named Fromeut, who certified to it. This child had not yet had the small pox.

On the 13th August, 1766, Noiseu, then 3 years and 8 months old, was lost on the Quai de l'enfante, and could not be found. The 16th June, 1768, his god-mother saw two little boys pass by, and was struck with the appearance of one of them; and called him to her, and questioned him: his replies gave her no satisfaction, but the sound of his voice confirmed her in her first idea. At first she merely saw a resemblance in this child to her godson; but she soon recognised him as her godson himself; several of his playmates collecting together, also recognised him; they examine if he has a scar in the knee, and find one; the mother informed of this, hastens thither, and recognises, or thinks she recognises her son, by his features and by the scar.

Another woman however arrives and claims the child; she names his parents, and says he has boarded with her for two years: now the child Noiseu had been lost only 22 months. The dis

pute augments, the two women are carried to the commissary, who gives the child provisionally to the wife Noiseu, who declares she is the mother, expresses it by her tears, and shows the scar on the knee.

Presently a new mother reaches the place, it is the widow Labrie. She claims the child Noiseu as hers, of the officer of the Police. They were both of the same age, and both had nearly the same scars.-The magistrate refers the parties to a higher tribunal.-The 30th Sept. 1768, the Judges of the Chatelet question the child in presence of the two mothers, to which he belongs.-He replies that the widow Labrie is not his mother, for she refuses him food. The Judges confirm provisionally the decree of the commissary, and adjudge the child to the wife Noiseu: whilst she is overwhelmed with joy, the other, the widow Labrie, is overcome with grief, and as if her own death had been pronounced, she faints away, in the arms of her sister, who had not strength to hold her; on all sides they exclaim, that is the real mother.

The joy of the wife Noiseu, was not of long duration: the mother Labrie solicits a new trial: the case is examined more minutely; it is discovered that the reclaimed child has had the small pox, whilst from the testimony of la Noiseu, her own had not had it: surgeons are consulted: their opinions are contradictory on account of the scars: the surgeons of the Chatelet are in favour of Labrie; others of Noiseu; at length by a definitive judgment, the child is declared to belong to Labrie. The first sentence had filled the one mother with despair; the second is not less impressive on Noiseu and his wife; they fall down senseless at the decree: the public is a witness of this tender spectacle, and can not tell whether their opinion should follow the decision of the Judges. Noiseu and his wife, coming to themselves, cry out, we will appeal to parlia

ment.

In fact, the following day, their appeal was made, and by a decree of 19th Feb. 1770, that court affirmed the sentence of the Chatelet, which had adjudged the child to Labrie.

This woman proved her right by the baptismal act, which declared her the mother of Marie Germain Labrie, born at Boisset, 30th May, 1762: by possession, as she had nourished the child, and taken care of him up to the 16th June, 1768, the day in which he was taken from her: by the recognition of the family, and by the testimony of the inhabitants and curates of the parishes she had resided in: lastly, by some scars of the small pox on the nose of the child, whilst the child of Noiseu was considered as not having had that disease. The parliament then decided in her favour, because she reunited the title, possession, and family recognition.

Foderé doubts however, if the decision was a just one, in spite of all these evidences, after

VARIETY.

Our most excellent preceptor, the late Dr. Rush used to lay much stress on the numerous cases which had occured to him of Hypochondriasis under the idea of a Syphilitic taint, and which he was accustomed to denominate the "noddle pox." Such cases have always been prevalent, and have served greatly to swell the fees of irregular practitioners, who have never failed to encourage such delusions in the minds of their patients. In the time of Turner (Dissertation on the Venereal Disease, p. 116) they: appear to have equally prevailed." "First of all, says he, for fear the grist should not come in fast enough, the secret-monger would have us believe, that we are all pox'd, (the common amusement of these pretenders;) there being few symptoms attending any chronic distemper, which he has not enumerated, and imputed thereunto; or if not pox'd, we ail, some what or other; and consequently have occasion for his specifick remedy! Thus, if there be but one poor pimple, or perhaps a flea-bite, the poor hypochondriac thinks it is the pox: if your head aches, it is the pox; if you happen to be giddy, heavy or dull, faint or feeble in your limbs, it is all from the pox; if the palms of your hands are hot, it is also from a pocky ferment: nay, if your urine does but stink of P-ss, it is still the pox; or, admit it should not be the pox, it is the Scurvy, Gout, Dropsy, king's evil, rheumatism; and that's all one,for the specifick will find it out: or if that sham (as we say) don't take, 'tis but flinging away another guinea, and we may have an elixir, that very probably will. So that the, specifick which a little before he tells you was solely fitted by its make, figure, texture, or its alkaline, sulphureous, volatile, globular, oleaginous, and a hundred, other ways of specification, to the venereal venom, is now become from a mono, a pan-pharmacon: tho' in truth and reality it is no better than the rest of the quack-trumpery, left to sell at the shops, Omnibus scilicet utile, sed nihilo proficuum, &c.”