of M. Orfila, for the purpose of ascertaining the effects of iodine on the assimilative organs of animals.

We shall here introduce the following abridged account of Dr. Coindet's farther experience of iodine, from the Bibliotheque Universelle, for April 1821, as drawn up by the editor of the Medical Intelligencer, in the 20th number of that Journal.

"The introduction of iodine into the materia medica, for the specific purpose of curing bronchocele, is due to Dr. Coindet, a very experienced practitioner of Geneva. In a former memoir published by this gentleman, he expressed a wish, that, by the joint efforts of physicians and chymists, we should one day succeed in procuring a more suitable preparation of this substance than the one now in use, to which many objections had been urged by some practitioners.

"In the present memoir he expresses his conviction that the hydriodate of potash, used externally, will answer the object re-. quired; and in support of his doctrine, he relates some cases in which this preparation of iodine was used topically, with complete success, for the removal of bronchocele and scrofulous swellings.

"Dr. C. directs a pomatum to be prepared for the above perpose, consisting of half a drachm of hydriodate of potash and one ounce and a half of purified hog's lard. Frictions are then made 'with a quantity of this preparation, of the size of a nutmeg, morning and evening, on the goître and indurated glauds, whether scrofulous or situated on the breast. Occasionally, the frictions are to be practised in the course of the lymphatics, and continued till the pomatum is completely absorbed.

"Une dame agée de 28 ans portoit depuis long-temps un goître volumineux dans le lobe droit, mais bien plus encore dans le lobe gauche du corps thyroide. Il s'étoit considerablement accru il y a trois ans pendant une grossesse. Je jugeai que ce n'étoit qu'une augmentation de volume sans lésion organique. Ce goître altéroit la voix et gênoit la respiration. Après huit jours de frictions les tumeurs étoient sensiblement plus molles, la peau étoit devenue plus épaisse et plus lache; après quinze jours la diminution étoit encore plus considérable; le goître étoit divise en plusieurs petits lobules très-distincts les uns des autres; au bout d'un mois il a entièrement disparu, la voix et la respiration sont redevenues naturelles, sans que la malade ait éprouvé aucun autre effet sensible de l'action de ce remède.'

"Twenty-two other patients, afflicted with the same malady, were treated much in a similar manner; one half of whom have been completely cured, and the remainder considerably relieved. Dr. Coindet observed, on these occasions, that the iodine, thus thrown into the system by absorption, produced exactly the same beneficial results, as when taken internally; and when no organic lesion is present, the disease of the lymphatic system seems to be

acted upon by the iodine, applied externally, with an energy equal to that attributed to the internal remedy.

"In none of the cases in which this application was used, did there appear any untoward effect, such as the iodine, taken internally, is known to have given rise to; though Dr. Coindet thought it necessary to use as much precaution as if he had administered the medicine internally. The author takes this opportunity of remarking, that many local auxiliaries should be resorted to in the case of goître, by which its removal or cure will be greatly accelerated among these, he reckons leeches and emollient fomentations. "Dr. C. next tried the hydriodate of potash, as a topical application in scrofulous indurated glands; and the success he obtained was beyond his expectation. He, however, prefers, in such cases, the solution of what he calls the indurated hydrioate of potash, taken internally. The following indications of two successful cases will be read with interest :

"Une jeune fille agée de dix-sept ans portoit depuis quinze mois sous l'angle de la machoire et le long du cou des paquets de glandes scrophuleuses, dont une d'elles, la plus basse restoit ulcérée. On avoit inutilement fait un grand nombre de remèdes; je prescrivis une solution d'hydriodate de potasse ioduré dans l'espace de six semaines toutes les glandes se sont dissipées suivant la marche que je viens d'indiquer, excepté celle qui étoit ulcérée. Une fistule pénétrant dans son centre a nécessité un traitement chirurgical pour compléter la guérison. Une autre jeune fille agée de quatorze ans portoit depuis six mois le long du cou un paquet de glandes engorgées; on avoit inutilement fait tous les remèdes généraux et locaux indiqués en pareil cas; dans l'espace d'un mois l'usage de la solution d'hydriodate de potasse ioduré a suffi pour la guérir.'

"In some few instances the medicine, administered both internally and externally, seemed to fail.

"It does certainly appear that iodine is a most powerful agent, and one which possesses a specific and stimulating power over the lymphatic system. As such, it might perhaps be given alternately, or in combination, with mercury. In enlargements of the ovaria, one would think it a useful remedy; but care must be had not to administer it where fever is present, or during the period of excitement.

"For the information of those who may feel disposed to give this remedy a trial, we have deemed it proper to subjoin a formula for the preparation of the hydriodate of potash, with which we have been favoured by Dr. Granville, who begs us to add, that this salt is found ready formed in the kelp for the preparation of soda.

"Make a solution of caustic potash, add a sufficient quantity of iodine, and shake the bottle well: the water is thus decomposed--iodic and hydriodic acid are formed, each of which combines with a proportion of the potash,-the former giving rise to an iodate which is little soluble, and consequently is precipitated,-while the latter forms the hydriodate of which we are in search, and which is highly

soluble. The liquid containing it, is then to be filtered, and the residue washed with alcohol, of the density of 0.82, so as to obtain another portion of the hydriodate-to be added to the former liquid, which may be said to crystallize. The salt is deliquescent, and has a slight yellowish tinge: it consists of 100 of hydriodic acid, and 37.426 of potash.'

"Thenard observes, that by the process of crystallization, as well as by desiccation, the hydriodate of potash is changed into an ioduret of potassium. If so, the salt employed by Coindet must need become a hydriodate during its trituration with the hog's lard -the hydrogen of which it attracts, to form hydriodic acid." Med. Intel. p. 368.

Poisons. This is a brief toxicological sketch. Its concluding paragraph contains this information. "Dr. Lyman Spalding, of New-York, announces in a small pamphlet, that for above these fifty years the scutellaria laterifolia has proved to be an infallible means for the prevention and cure of the hydrophobia, after the bite of rabid animals. It is better applied as a dry powder than fresh. According to the testimonies of several American physicians this plant afforded perfect relief in above a thousand cases, as well in the human species, as in the brute creation, dogs, swine, and oxen." This assertion is, in fact, totally unfounded.

Magnesia. In the article on this primitive earth are related the remarkable case published by Mr. Brande in the Journal of Science and the Arts, and another "in which not only large quantities of a concretion of a similar description were voided, but upon examination after death, which took place perhaps six months after any magnesia had been taken, a collection, supposed to be from four to six pounds, was found imbedded in the head of the colon, which was of course much distended."

Respiration. Relating to this function of animals, we find the following hint:-"It is probable that the quantity of carbonic acid, produced, in the lungs, varies in different animals, and in the same individual in different circumstances. The change of the blood, from the purple venous to the bright red arterial, seems owing to the discharge of the carbon. An ordinary sized man consumes about 46 thousand cubic inches of oxygen per diem; equivalent to 125 cubic feet of air. He makes about twenty respirations in a minute; or breathes twice for every seven pulsations" of his arterial vessels.

Vegetable Alkalis. The effects of some of these on the living system may now be noticed. 1. Morphia, the narcotic Vol. II. No. 6.

2 U

principle of opium, acts with great energy on the animal economy. A grain and a half taken at three different times nearly proved fatal to a young man aged 17 years. 2. Strychnia, the active principle of the strychnos nux vomica, when introduced into the stomach, acts with extreme violence. It produces locked jaw in a very short time, and the animal is speedily destroyed. Half a grain of it in powder, blown into the throat of a rabbit, killed it in five minutes, and brought on the locked jaw in two. 3. Brucia is extracted from the bark of the brucea anti-dysenterica: its taste is exceedingly bitter, acrid, and durable in the mouth. Internally exhibited, it operates with a degree of intensity which is to that of strychnia as one to twelve. It excites tetanus, and acts upon the nerves without affecting the brain, or the intellectual faculties.

We shall now close our notice of this work by an extract from the introduction.

"The general reader will find, it is hoped, instruction blended with entertainment, in the articles aërostation, air, climate, combustion, congelation, dew, electricity, equivalents, galvanism, geology, light, meteorolite, rain, and several other articles.

"The agriculturist will find details not unworthy of his attention under the heads absorbent, analysis of soils, carbonate, lime, manure, and soils. Among the discussions interesting to manufacturers are, acetic and other acids, alcohol, alum, ammonia, beer, bleaching, bread, caloric, coal, coal-gas, distillation, dying, ether, fat, fermentation, glass, ink, iron, ores, potash, pottery, salt, soap, soda, steel, sugar, and tanning. Belonging to mineralogy, are the subjects blowpipe, geology, with its subordinate rocks, ores, and meteorolite.”

By the specimens which we have now placed under the observation of our readers, they will be prepared to estimate the merits of this scientific Dictionary. We may be allowed, in conclusion, to state the impression it has left on our own minds. The work, then, in our opinion is unrivalled; theory, in general, has been rejected from its pages; its doctrines and practical views are based on the results of experimental induction; and its style is, in a particular manner, significant, perspicuous, elegant. We, therefore, do cherish an agreeable anticipation of the excellence of Dr. Ure's forth-coming system of chymical philosophy.

VI.

Transactions of the Association of Fellows and Licentiates of the King's and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland. Vol. III. pp. 520. Dublin and London, 1820.

OUR brethren, in Dublin, have lately produced the most authentic proofs of the zeal and talent with which medicine, in its comprehensive sense, is cultivated in the sister isle. Their writings have established the reputation of individuals, enhanced the fame of the Irish university, and enriched the archives of science. Acting upon equal talent, the discipline of the Dublin school of medicine must very soon produce effects which will be felt throughout the United Kingdom, and render the Irish academic qualification a badge of honour inferior to none-superior to most. Let other universities look to this. Talent is not hereditary-fame cannot be transmitted from father to son; nor can it be conferred by a cabal, or retained in name when lost in substance. We are arrived at that period, when intellectual, is nearly as ardent in operation, as mechanical competition. And as native capacity is equal, or nearly so, in great masses of society, so the institutions which give fullest scope to talent, impose least restraint on labour, and offer the surest reward for merit, must as regularly rise pre-eminent among others, as it is certain that plodding industry shall outstrip indolence, or genius dulness. Self-evident as these positions are in theory, and verified as they have often been by experience, they are not always put in practice. A spell seems sometimes to hang over a public body, as well as over a private individual, urging each to act contrary to the diciates of sober judgment.

-Video melioraque probo,

Deteriora sequor.

ART. 1. Pathology and Treatment of Fever, founded principally on Observations, &c. By Robert Reid, M. D.

We have dedicated so much space, in this Journal, to a delineation of writings on fever, that we must now be on our guard against extending this department beyond its proper bounds. At the same time we are unwilling to pass over any respectable monograph on this interesting subject, without giving the author that advantage which results from an extensive circulation of his more prominent doctrines and observations. Our circumscribed limits will therefore compel us to notice only the more striking traits of the paper now before us.