viz., first, to supply a due proportion of the chemical element or elements required, and, second, to exalt and regulate the vital energies sufficiently to induce the healthy organic metamorphic processes of formation and decomposition. To determine what the former are, it is only requisite to refer to such as are active in the normal destruction of this saccharine matter. It is now almost universally considered that aeration of the blood is effected by its oxidation: or in other words, that the oxygen of the atmospheric air, directly or indirectly, unites with, causes modifications of, and disintegrates the various materials contained in that fluid; and that the other principal atmospheric element, oxygen, is mostly passive, or a mere diluent of the former. When, however, this exalted glucosic condition supervenes, and the saccharine matter is evolved in undue quantities, the principle, on the other hand, is almost as generally recognized that it is in consequence of the deficiency of this agent, nitrogen; hence the treatment has been directed to its introduction, and experience has amply testified to its propriety and necessity. Now, as I have heretofore stated, I believe that in the physiological as well as in the therapeutical, which must necessarily be based on the former processes, both of these elements are more or less essential. Hence, therapeutically, the correct principle seems to be, to introduce into the economy a substance composed of such elements, oxygen and nitrogen, and which by readily undergoing decomposition will supply them in a nascent state, thus exciting the more active play of the mutual affinities between them and the constituent elements of the sugar to prevent its formation or cause its decomposition, and the subsequent production of those substances so essential to the healthy condition and functions of the combined organs and parts of the body. Some of these affinitive re-actions and relations may be thus cursorliy noticed. The elements oxygen and nitrogen, (NO) and those of sugar (C.H.O); the hydrogen and nitrogen for ammonia (NH), carbon and nitrogen for cyanogen (C,H), and oxygen superadded for cyanic acid (C,O), the two aggregately, cyanate of ammonia, which with the addition of HO is considered to be isomeric with urea. Besides these, the other associations of carbon and oxygen, and hydrogen and oxygen, for carbonic acid (CO) and water (HO), may be mentioned. It will thus be seen that the agent ammonia, which for curative purposes is introduced in its compound state into the system, may be actually generated therein from its elements, principally derived from the material thereof, and all its primary as well as secondary advantages thus more directly obtained.

Independent, however, of these chemical relations, the other highlyimportant indication still, to a certain extent, exists, viz: to prevent and rectify that diathesis or proximate state, giving rise to the excessive production of saccharine matter. This can be more immediately fulfilled by those hygienic and thrapeutic measures which tend to exalt and regulate the vital processes, among the latter of which are, as is justly observed, the diffusible stimulants. The fulfillment of these compound chemical and vital indications seems, therefore, to require a great diversity of agents; yet, following out the course naturally indicated with regard to the deficiencies, physiological processes and aberrations, it is evident that

it requires but a simple and more purely chemical agent composed of the definite elements specified, though possessing superior and unique general physiological properties. Now, fortunately, there is a known agent thus constituted and endowed. This obviously is the protoxide of nitrogen, or nitrous oxide (NO), the particular constitution, properties and general applications of which, have been, for present purposes, sufficiently enlarged upon in my former papers; and I am induced to refer to it again in the present relation, only from a sense of duty and a strong conviction of its usefulness in this glucosic state, believing that it not only answers, but will fulfill, all the indications therein required. Still, though I have thus hastily glanced at some of the reasons for this opinion, I do not wish it understood that it now depends exclusively upon mere inference or speculation, as the constitution and general stimulant property of this agent is well known, and I have proved to my satisfaction, and so stated in published articles, so that others might have the benefit of, and test the correctness of such observations, that it does undergo decomposition in the blood, removes sugar therefrom, forms urea, which is deficient in this affection, regulates the renal as well as general secretion, modifies the action of the liver and alimentary canal, corrects organic aberration, and speedily restores the general hæmatosic and vital equilibrium. Therefore, though I have never had an opportunity of treating the exalted glucosic state, known by the indefinite term "diabetes," as it is somewhat rare, I have treated successfully, with the agent recommended, those minor conditions attended with the moderate saccharine contamination of the renal fluid.

It is also probable, from the consideration of the physiological disintegration of this saccharine material, that oxygen, superadded to, and inhaled with the atmospheric air, might exercise a favorably-modifying influence over its production and the general affection. Either of these agents, by surcharging liquids with them, may also be introduced into the circulation through the stomach or other parts of the alimentary canal. In conclusion, and in relation to such therapeutic investigations, it will be proper to state that, when all other means fail, except occasional and accidental ones, in preventing or correcting this or any other biological aberration, it is believed to be not only justifiable, but the duty of medical men to resort to a judicious system of experimentation, to endeavor to discover thereby, some more certain and reliable hygienic and thera peutic means. And first, this should be done with those substances to which induction points, which reason selects, and of which judgment approves; particularly if, within themselves, they are exceedingly powerful, yet are capable of being so carefully employed as to avoid all danger of further deranging the organism, and thus of more speedily accelerating the dissolutive processes.

Philadelphia, March 6th, 1854.

Alcohol in Medical Practice.

Correspondence of the Boston Med Journal.

MESSES. EDITORS,-In the Journal of February Sth, I notice some remarks by Dr. Gilman, of South Deerfield, on Alacholi Liquors in

the Practice of Medicine," which, by your leave, I wish to examine. He says "there is no subject upon which the whole community, including the medical faculty, so much need light, as they do on the proper medicinal use of alcohol." I agree that more light is much needed on every subject connected with the science of medicine; but I think as much probably exists in regard to the use of alcohol, as is known in regard to many other equally useful and remedial agents. As an agent of value, it has been recommended and extolled by many to whom medical science owes much. He proposes three questions for discussion, two of which I will notice.

1. "Are alcoholic liquors indispensably necessary in the practice of medicine?" I think they are. Alcohol is a diffusible stimulus. It increases the force and activity of the nervous system, when depressed by various depressing poisons; and, so far as my experience goes, strengthened by the recorded testimony of many able observers, it does this more efficiently than any other known remedy. The bite of the rattlesnake, so deadly and rapid in its effects if not quickly counteracted, so far as I can learn, is not so amenable to any other treatment as the "alcoholic;" and is enough, I think, if there were no other instances, to establish the fact, that alcoholic liquors are "indispensably necessary in the practice of medicine." But there are other instances where they are necessary. Who has not seen their good effects in cases of fever accompanied with great prostration of the nervous forces? In delirium tremens-not delirium ebriosorum-they are at times surely indispensable. Solly, in his work on the Brain, page 280, says, "The plan of treatment which I have found on the whole most successful in true delirium tremens, is to give the stimulus which the patient prefers from being most accustomed to: this is usually porter and gin in the hospitals; brandy or wine, or both together, in private practice. And revolting as it is to our feelings as moral beings to pour in the very poisons which, by their habitual use, have reduced the man to the level of the brute, still as medical men it is our duty to preserve life by those means which we know are capable of doing so." The italics are my own. It is not "indispensably necessary" for me to instance other cases (for it wol occupy too much space), in which alcoholic liquors have been used with profit by almost every member of the profession.

2. "If they are necessary, to what extent?" I am unable to say to what extent. As well might we ask to what extent we should use opium, calomel or any other remedy, or to what extent bleed. We should use them all whenever necessary, and at no other time, and to the extent the necessities as each case require, and no further; we should be ruled by judgment, and not by prejudice. Dr. Gilman declares he has not used alcoholic liquors in his practice for "five years past." Possibly in a practice of even five years they might not be required; but if they should, they ought by all means to be used, and not discarded because when used as a beverage they invariably do harm. If this is the reason why some do not not use alcoholic liquors in their practice, I must say that it is contrary to that wise discriminative policy, that should ever characterize the physician.

In the above remarks, I do not wish to be understood as advocating the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage; for when thus used they truly "out-venom all the worms of Nile," and every good citizen should feel in duty bound to use every effort, consistent with reason and common sense, to prevent their baneful effects. But while we do this, as medical men, we ought by all means to use everything known to be of value. Carthage, Ill., March 19, 1854. GEO. W. HALL.

Raising Leeches in France.

From the Boston Medical Journal.

The Paris correspondent of the New York Daily Times furnishes the following interesting information respecting a successful mode of propagating and raising the leech in France:]

ago.

The raising and propagation of leeches has for many years been a necessity in France, for the supply furnished by her marshes gave out thirty years Out of her abundance she used to export; and now she is forced to make up her deficiency from abroad. Other countries have in their turn been exhausted Italy, Germany, and Spain; and of late, certain dis tricts of Asia have been laid under contribution. Still, all over the world, the yield has been seriously diminished, and prices have risen to such a point that the poor cannot pay them; and the hospitals even are alarmed. The Academy of Medicine has voted prizes to persons who would discover methods of propagation; and lately a sum was placed in the hands of the Prefect of the Seine, to make experiments with a model leechery in the suburbs, A. M. Borne has just sent to the Academy an account of his establishment at Rambouillet, where he seems to have met with extraordinary success in encouraging the reproduction of his "pupils," as he calls them. They are fed three times a year; they bury themselves in the earth late in the autumn, and pass the winter in a state of torpor. They mate early in the spring-on St. Valentine's day probably - and lay their cocoons in May, to hatch in September. The young ones are fed upon the "less substantial blood of calves." The are extremely voracious, and in two years weigh ten times their primitive volume. M. Borne has built conveniences for the reception of the cocoons, and for their artificial incubation. By care and tenderness he has succeeded thus far in preventing any epidemic or sudden mortality in his reservoirs. The leech is very apt to be carried off by sudden disorders, and history mentions the loss of a colony of 18,000 in one winter; of the destruction of 60,000 by a hard frost, and of the consumption of 200,000 in Soloque, by a flock of wild geese. M. Borne has taken extraordinary precautions against any invasions of the sort. In the middle of his ponds is a light-house or look-out, where a man is constantly stationed, armed with guns and other means of defence; the edges of the ponds are guarded in such a way as to keep out all aquatic enemies, such as water-rats, moles, and frogs; traps are set for the trochètes, glossiphonies, hydrophiles, and dytisques, which nourish a traditional animosity toward all leeches. Marauders and poachers are also keenly watched. In short, M. Borne hopes soon to be in a position to furnish France a supply sufficient to render any further importation useless; and later he expects even to be able to export for his own account.

EDITORIAL AND MISCELLANEOUS.

Irregularity of the Mails.

We often receive information that subscribers fail to receive all their numbers. We assure them that they are faithfully mailed, and were it not from our knowledge of the similar experience of other periodicals, we should be astonished at the carelessness, which in the post-office department, sends amiss so many printed documents. We shall do everything in our power to have the journals go safely, but the imperfections of the P. O. Department are beyond our reach. If subscribers who fail to receive all their numbers will notify us, we will make good their deficiency.

Death of Dr. Briggs.

We regret to learn of the death of Dr. J. Briggs, of Schoolcraft. Although we had but little personal acquaintance with him, yet by reputation we understand him to have been an ornament to the profession, one whose loss is deeply felt in the western part of the State, and whose social as well as scientific excellence was of priceless value to community.

Annual Report of the Managers of the N. Y. State Lunatic Asylum. We have received this pamphlet and have selected some tabular statistics from it, which will be of value to those who are interested in studying the nature of insanity.

New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal.

The death of the former editor has caused this journal to pass into the editorial care of Dr. Bennet Dowler. Mrs. Hester, the widow of the late editor, is proprietress. We trust that the gallant men of the Sonth will give that journal a good support.

Address to the Graduates of the Kentucky School of Medicine. By R. J. BRECKINBRIDGE, Professor of Materia Medica, and Clinical Medicine. This document is full of enthusiasm for medical science, as Kentucky documents always are. It makes an important distinction which ought to be more thought of among those who clamor about what they call the uncertainty of medicine. The distinction is this: The nature of the effects of medicines, as a general rule, are certain, but the question whether those effects will prove superior or inferior to the opposing effects of the disease, is to be decided anew in every new case; it is a question of relative power. The situation of the physician is like that of a soldier. The action of his weapons is known, and sure, but whether that action will be sufficient in a given case to beat the