remove its hazards by diluting it with ether, thus diminishing both its rapidity and violence, and as it is believed, after ample experience, annihilating all its dangers. The proportions of such dilution employed during the last year in the Bellvue Hospital, are equal parts by weight; or, what is the same thing, one part by chloroform to three or four parts of ether by measure. The mixture should be made extemporaneously at the time of using, as it is otherwise liable to deteriorate. The same precautions are discreet, which which have been advised in reference to the undiluted article, and with these, after extensive opportunities of witnessing the employment of this mixture, in surgical, medical, and obstetrical practice, including sevaral hundred cases, I am prepared to testify that no untoward result has followed in a single instance. So complete is the insensibility which has been produced that in one example of amputation of the thigh, several days elapsed before the patient discovered that he had lost a limb; and he betrayed the most unaffected surprise when he realized the mutilation he had suffered, the fact being revealed to him for the first time when it was proposed to dress the stump, which became necessary on the fifth day after the operation. In every case the insensibility to pain has been compleie, and this state has been perpetuated, by the occasional repetition of the dose, when necessary, as in protracted operations. The quantity found sufficient has varied from half an ounce to two or three ounces of the mixture, and applied to the nostrils and mouth by a towel or sponge. In some instances the inhalation for four or five minutes has produced the full effect, as indicated by approaching stertor, with muscular relaxation; but in other examples double and even triple this time has been called for. The effect usually passes off, and full conciousness returns, in from three to five minutes after the inhalation ceases; but this result may be hastened by sprinkling cold water upon the face. No unfavorable consequences, even of temporary. character have been observed to follow the inhalation, and it is rare that either coughing or nausea occurs to interrupt the prcess.

I regard it so imporant that no prejudice should be produced against the use of anaesthetic agents, by the recent disaster at the City Hospital, that I have written thus much in their defence, and at the same time suggested what I conceive to be the salutary and necessary precautions which the profession should adopt if the would disabuse they public mind,

and protect these valuable remedies from being thrown into disrepute. If you concur with me in opinion that these brief hints may be useful at this crisis, I may find time to communicate more fully on the subject.

Respectfully yours,

New York, Jan. 22nd, 1849.

D. MEREDITH REESE.

[We fully agree with our respected correspondent as to the injury that would accrue, both to the public and the profession, from the use of anaesthetic agents falling into disrepute on account of the occasional unfavorable results attending their administration. Every well attested means, therefore, for preventing these results, should be adopted. That recommended by Dr, R., in the above communication, and which we trust he will soon treat further, appeas judicious, and having the recommendation of his experience and approval, is certainly worthy the trial of others.-ED.]--Bost. Med. and Surg. Jour.

:

ARTICLE VI.---Hood's Illustration of Hydropathy.

"It has been our good fortune, since reading Claridge on hydropathy, to see a sick drake avail himself of the "water cure," at the dispensary in Saint James' Park. First, in wading in, he took a "Fuse bad," then took a "Sitz bad," and then turning his curly tail up in the air, he took a "Kopf bad." Lastly, he rose almost upright on his latter end, and made such a flapping with his wings, that we really expected he was going to shout "Priesnitz for ever." But no such thing. He only said, "quack! quack!! quack!!!"

The following letter from our much esteemed correspondent, Dr. Hall, solves the difficulty which we had, at the time of publication, in accounting for the symptoms in the case reported by him in No. 4, of this volume of our journal.

We find upon again comparing his manuscript, with the report of the case, as published, that the mistake referred to was not made by the compositor.

H..

TOULON, Illinois, February 10, 1849. GENTLEMEN-There is a material error in the description of the case of cerebal abscess, published in your journal; and whether the error is mine, or the compositor's, I know not; my notes are correct, from which I transcribed it. The Paralysis was on the left side-in strict accordance with the general rule in cerebral disease..

I was surprised, in reading the letter of your Paris correspondent, to find some observations on Jobert's new method of treating fractures without splints and bandages; for there is nothing particularly new about it. In 1834 Mr. Wardrop, in a clinical lecture, made some observations on the injurious effects of splints and bandages, and the management of fractures without them; this lecture was published in the London Lancet, Article 4th, 1834; Page 55. It made no impression, or next to none. In the Lancet for October 21, 1835, page 168, there is an essay on the same subject, by Mr. Radley, of of Newton Abbot, Devonshire. It was followed up by some three or four more from the same pen, with cases illustrative

the advantages the new method possessed. These essays

were plainly and forcibly written, and consequently produced an impression; and the principles of the treatment were debated in the London Medical Society, on November 30, 1835, and a few following meetings and published in the Lancet. THOMAS HALL.

ARTICLE II.

CONVENTION OF WESTERN MEDICAL SCHOOLS.

We see that the proposition for this Convention meets with favor generally, among the Medical Journals, but as yet we hear of no report from any of the schools directly. Of course, until there is some intimation from the schools, of their approbation of the project and willingness to send delegates, it is useless to appoint a time or place for meeting.

With Cincinnati as the place, and the last Tuesday in April next as the time, we would be entirely satisfied, provided all can be ready and an understanding had by that time, which we very much doubt.

That we may act understandingly in the matter, we propose that our friend, Professor Lawson, of the Western Lancet, act as Secretary of the project, and recommend that he privately address medical, schools in the west, to ascertain whether they will all send delegates or not, and if there is a general concurrence, fix the time and give notice accordingly. Unless some general understanding can be had, it will be scarcely worth while for delegates to mect, as a partial representation cannot accomplish much.

E.

1 i

ARTICLE III.

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.

We observe by the catalogue of the "College of the Arts and Sciences of the University of Michigan," that it is contemplated to commence a course of instruction in the department of Medicine, next autumn.

"The Board of Regents have adopted the plan of requiring but one course of lectures, which, in consequence, will be extended through the academic year, and subject to the same vacations as in the department of Science and Arts."

There are three vacations annually, viz. :-"From the third week in July, eight weeks; from Wednesday, next preceding 25th December, two weeks; from the third Wednesday in April, three weeks."

Students are to undergo an examination for admission, and will be required to come up to the standard of preliminary education of the National Medical Convention..

The expenses will be the same as those in the department of Science and Arts. An announcement will be published in the course of the year.

E.

ARTICLE IV.

IMPOSITION IN THE SALE OF MEDICINE.

We have received, through the politeness of Mr. Crawford, who reported it, a copy of a Bill introduced before the Legislature of Wisconsin, for the prevention of imposition in the sale of medicine.

On reading the first three sections of the Bill, which require all compound medicines, vended in the State, to be accom panied by a label setting forth in the English language each