was very peculiar. He agreed with Dr. Copland as to the cause of death in these cases, and could not conceive that a forcible impression of the aorta could throw the blood back, and force the valves; for in dead bodies this was difficult, though the valves were then flaccid, and here it was said to occur to the living -being still more difficult.-Sir James Murray had seen two cases of suspended animation from blows on the stomach; one recovered, and the other died. The remedy he should recommend, would be to throw a bucket of cold water over the body-gasping would ensue, and respiration follow. He could not agree with Dr. Holland, more especially when he considered the slight influence the small quantity of forced blood would exert. A space of the artery, equal at most to about two inches, would be struck-the blood contained in one inch would be distributed downwards through the iliac arteries to the extremities, where space enough was found; and the other inch of blood sent upwards, would find a much greater space through all the vessels of the chest and upper extremities. He would not deny that an inch of blood above the healthy quantity, suddenly propelled into the heart might injure that organ, but thought there was not enough to injure the heart and vessels, as they must be, from sudden violent blows on the stomach.-Dr. Williams had not read any author who gave a satisfactory account of the effects of blows on the stomach, but he agreed in opinion with Dr. Copland. He had paid particular attention to the semilunar valves, and must differ from Dr. Johnson. They are perfectly mechanical, and act in the dead as in the living bodies. They completely stop all entrance to the heart, and must be ruptured for entrance there. Dr. Williams then alluded to death from syncope, by poisons, crushing of the limb, ingestion of cold water, and concluded by recommending treatment by diffusible stimuli.

Dr. John Reid then gave an account of an experimental investigation into the Glosso-pharyngeal, Pneumogastric, and Spinal Accessory Nerves. This communication was stated by Dr. Reid to contain merely a short epitome of some lengthened remarks, which he had drawn up on the subject, but it embraced the principal results, deduced from the numerous experiments which he had performed upon those complicated and importaut nerves, generally included under the eighth pair.

Glosso-pharyngeal Nerve. The experiments on this nerve were all performed on dogs, and were twenty-seven in number. Seventeen of these were for the purpose of ascertaining if it was to be considered a nerve both of sensation and motion, and what were the effects of its section upon the associated movements of deglutition, and on the sense of taste. The other ten were performed on animals immediately after they had been deprived of sensation, with the view of ascertaining more accurately how far it is to be considered a motor nerve. The phenomena observed in these experiments were first stated; and the conclusions drawn from a review of the whole of the data thus obtained, were these:first, that this is a nerve of common sensation; second, that mechanical and chemical irritation of this nerve before it has given off its pharyngeal branches, or of any of those branches individually, is followed by extensive muscular movements of the throat and lower part of the face; third, that the muscular movements thus excited, depend, not upon any influence extending along the branches of the nerve to the muscles moved, but upon a reflex action, transmitted through the central organs of the nervous system; fourth, that these pharyngeal branches of the glosso-pharyngeal nerve possess endowments connected with the peculiar sensations of the mucous membrane, upon which they are distributed, though he cannot pretend to say positively in what these consist; fifth, that this cannot be the sole nerve upon which all these sensations depend, since the perfect division of the trunk on both sides, with removal of a considerable part of it (if care be taken to exclude the pharyngeal branch of the par vagum, which lies in close contact with it), does not interfere with the perfect performance of the function of deglutition; sixth, that mechanical or chemical irritation of the nerve, immediately after an animal has been killed, is not followed by any muscular movements, provided care be taken to insulate it from the pharyngeal branch of the par vagum; seventh, that the sense of taste is sufficiently acute after the perfect section of the nerve on both sides, to enable

the animal readily to recognize bitter substances; eighth, that it may probably participate with other nerves in the performance of the function of the sense of taste, but it certainly is not the special nerve of that sense; ninth, that the sense of thirst does not depend entirely upon this nerve.

Pneumogastric or Par Vagum Nerve. From the results of thirty experiments on this nerve, he is satisfied that severe indications of suffering are generally induced by pinching, cutting, or even stretching this nerve. Powerful respiratory movements were excited in some of the animals, when the trunk of the nerve was compressed for a few moments by the forceps.

Pharyngeal Branches of the Par Vagum.-From seventeen experiments performed on dogs, either when alive, or immediately after being deprived of sensation, he concludes, that these are the sole motor nerves of the constrictors of the pharynx, the stylo-pharyngeal and palatine muscles; and that the sensitive filaments contained in these branches of the par vagum are exceedingly few, if under ordinary circumstances they exist at all.

Laryngeal Branches of the Par Vagum.-From his experiments on these nerves, repeated and confirmed in various ways, he concludes, that all the muscles which move the arytenoid cartilages, receive their motor filaments from the inferior laryngeal or recurrent nerves. That one only of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx receives its motor filaments from the superior laryngeal, viz. the crico-thyroid muscle, and that consequently, the only change which this nerve can produce fupon the larynx as a motor nerve is, that of approximating the cricoid cartilage to the thyroid,- in other words, of shortening the larynx; and that the sensations of the larynx depend upon the superior laryngeal nerve. These experiments are completely subversive of the statement of Majendie, that the inferior laryngeal nerves supply those muscles only which open the glottis, while the superior supply those muscles which shorten the glottis. They also illustrate in a very satisfactory manner the causes of the dyspnea, amounting in some cases to strangulation, when the inferior laryngeal nerves are cut or compressed.

He has also satisfied himself, that when any irritation is applied to the mucous membrane of the larynx in the natural state, this does not excite the contractions of these muscles, by acting directly upon them through the mucous membrane, but that this contraction takes place by a reflex action, in the performance of which the superior laryngeal nerve is the sensitive, and the inferior laryngeal is the motor nerve. He is also convinced that the muscular contractions of the œsophagus are not called into action by the ingesta, acting directly as an excitant upon the muscular fibre, through the mucous membrane, but by a reflex action, part of the œsophageal filaments acting as sensitive, and others as motor nerves. Our space will not permit us to state any of the results obtained from the experiments on the other branches of the par vagum.

Spinal Accessory.-This nerve was cut across in seven dogs at its exit from the cranium, and no effect upon the voluntary movements of the muscles of the neck could be observed. In other animals the nerve was first cut across on one side, and then a weak dose of prussic acid given. This was frequently followed by powerful, slow and regular respiratory movements, during some of which distinct contractions of the sterno-mastoid muscle were observed in unison with the other muscles of inspiration.

The next paper was entitled "Observations on the Structure of the Sacrum in Man and some of the lower classes of Animals," by Hugh Carlisle, M. D.-Mr. Carlisle exhibited to the Section several anatomical preparations of the human sacrum in different states of growth, in which the separate formation of the lateral parts, consisting both of ribs and of transverse processes, was distinctly shown. The analogous structure in certain classes of reptiles were displayed by means of preparations and original drawings, and the errors of descriptive anatomists on these subjects were pointed out. Mr. Carlisle showed that some of the saurian reptiles afford the best examples of distinct and well-developed sacral ribs, although this peculiarity in their structure has been wholly overlooked by previous anatomists. In these animals the sacral ribs are two in number on each side, the anterior being articulated to the bodies of the last dorsal and the first

1

sacral vertebræ, and to the inter-vertebral fibro-cartilage, the posterior to the last sacral and the first caudal vertebræ. In the human subject the sacral ribs are four on each side, and they remain in a separate and distinguishable state until the age of from three to seven years, after which period they are all, except in rare instances, consolidated with each other and with the bodies and transverse processes of the sacral vertebræ. The os ilium in the fœtal state, and for some years after birth, in the human subject, is connected to only the first two at each side of the sacral ribs, a fact which is consistent with the imperfect development, at that period, of the lower extremities, and with the disposition, at an early age, to walk on all fours, and which affords an additional example to those already known of the similarity which prevails between the temporary forms of certain parts of the human body and the permanent dispositions of the corre sponding parts in animals of a lower class. In many of the quadrumana, of quadrupeds, and of reptiles, two is the number of sacral ribs constantly in apposition with the os ilium: in the human subject, at a more advanced period of growth, the os ilium at each side is connected by a cartilaginous intermedium to the extremities of three sacral ribs, and, in one instance, in the skeleton of a negro, Mr. Carlisle observed it conjoined to four. This communication was concluded by some observations on the peculiarities of structure exhibited in the skeletons of the Testudo Græca and the Testudo Midas, the former of which Mr. Carlisle considers to possess two sacra, one for the posterior and one for the anterior extremities; while the latter has but one sacrum belonging to the posterior extremities, and, possessing a more extensive range of motion in the anterior, presents in them nearly the same mode of junction to the spine which prevails in birds and some quadrupeds.

A paper was then read by Dr. Black, on the Epidemic Influenza which occurred this spring at Bolton; but as it contained some important tables, requiring great care to insure accuracy, we defer our report until next week.

Wednesday. The first paper read was by Dr. Mackintosh, "On Dysmenorrhoea."-An account of this will be given in a subsequent number.

Sir James Murray then read a paper, in continuation of a former one, published in the Dublin Medical Journal for July, 1836. His object was to show, that a great variety of disordered conditions of the nerves, and of the vital organs, result from the presence of urinary secretions in the circulating fluids. In two cases of fatal neuralgia, one tic douloureux of the thumb, he found the investments of the nerves studded with microscopic crystals. The crystals had the same constituents as those sometimes observed in the sediments of urine. Crystalline frost-work has been lately observed in the heart, brain, and other organs, by Mr. George, and in the membranes of the bowels by Professors Harrison, Apjohn, and others. Great constitutional and local irritation, he considers, is sometimes created by the acrimony of saline solutions remaining in the solids and fluids of the body; and, as these extraneous substances do not amount to tangible particles and concretions, that the presence of unsaturated alkaline or acid re-agents, maintain many obstinate disorders-as hysteria, some kinds of asthma, indigestion, &c. He had detected uric acid, urea, and many other excretory substances in obstinate sores, in discharges from the eyes, in the incrustations of Tinea capitis and Lepra. He also thought the tubercles deposited in the lungs, and composed of the substance called soluble extractive, animal matter of a similar kind. When this matter meets oxygen in the lungs, it is deposited in a solid state of various consistency. The various oxides it meets with in other parts of the body, render it insoluble, and it is found embedded in many other parts, but not so frequently as in the lungs. The elements of these extraneous matters are not always separated by the kidneys, and untoward chemical combinations are frequently set up by the presence of acid or exciting atoms not duly excreted from the fluids.

He proposed to neutralize or precipitate these impregnations by baths, acid or alkaline, as were required, and to try to obtain precipitates in the urine similar to those which pass off in the crises of fevers and acute rheumatism. Sir James concluded by lamenting, that the ridicule thrown upon such examinations by the

mystical and pretended diagnoses of charlatans, had deterred medical men from examining the secretions with sufficient precision; but hoped that the difficulty of this inquiry would no longer retard the investigations of such prominent signs and causes of disease.

Dr. James Johnson said, that the examinations recommended by Sir J. Mur ray were becoming more and more common. He could not attribute the state of the body impregnated with the kinds of salts described in the paper, to the cause assigned by Sir James Murray. The cause, in his opinion, was rather a defect of action in the kidney, than absorption-not but that absorption and re-absorption of urea and uric acid would take place as described.

The Secretary then read a paper by Dr. Madden, communicated by Professor Alison, being "Experiments on the connexion between Nerves and Muscles." The author began by stating, that two different opinions on the subject of his paper were entertained-the one by Dr. Whytt, and the school of neuralogists who attribute muscular motion to nerves and irritants, mechanical or chemical, which excite motions through nervous agency; and the other, that the power was inherent in the muscles themselves, the nerves being only conductors. He had been in consequence induced to institute a series of experiments; and he now detailed a great number on the nerves, muscles, and heart of frogs, by galvanism, mechanical irritations, by immersion, and application of narcotic solutions, and by the internal administration, or rather putting into the mouth, of prussic acid, carefully timing the progress. These were thought to bear out the following conclusion, at which the author arrived. When we see narcotics have, by no means, a destructive influence on irritability, nor on nervous trunks, no change on muscular fibre-when we see nerves cease to excite contractions long before muscles themselves have lost their irritability, their number and size bearing no proportion to irritability-when we see many muscles insensible to the irritation of nerves, and that a muscle with a divided nerve can recover its exhausted irritation in so short a time, and so perfectly, we must withhold our confidence in neuralogy, and believe that muscular contractility is not dependent on nervous influence.

The Secretary then read a paper from Dr. O'Bryan Bellingham, "On the order of the succession of the Motions of the Heart." On performing some experiments on frogs, his attention was directed to the order of the progressive motions of the heart, which was in opposition to that given by Dr. Hope, and the one usually received, which is the following:

1st. motion the auricular systole.

2d.

3d.

4th.

ventricular, with impulse, and no pulse.
ventricular diastole.

interval of ventricular repose, towards the termination of
which auricular systole takes place.

While the experiments and observations of Dr. Bellingham showed the following:

3d.
4th.

ventricular diastole and impulse.

ventricular systole.

interval of ventricular repose towards the termination-auricular systole.

He found, that in duration of time the diastole of the ventricles occupies double the time of the systole, and the interval of repose equalled nearly the time taken up in the systole.

With respect to the sounds, he found the

1st. synchronous with ventricular diastole.
2d.
ventricular systole.

Dr. Williams said these experiments had been described long ago. They were formerly supported by Dr. Corrigan, who had publicly abandoned them. They were true as to frogs, but not of warm-blooded animals-they were not

true in the human subject, and the analogy which the author implied between the progressive motions of the heart of frogs and man was utterly impossible. The next paper was entitled, "Observations on the disease called Cocobâe by the Africans, or Arabian Leprosy, the Ara-apatta of the Caribes of Guiana, the Radesyge of Northern Europe; and on the Methods found most effectual in the treatment," by Dr. John Hancock.-Dr. Hancock considered that Lepra Arabum, Cocobâe of the Africans, Ara-apatta of the Caribes of Guiana, as identical, and to consist in a vitiated state of the blood and serous fluids, with obstruction of the absorbing and secerning vessels, with a peculiar diathesis, forming under the skin tubercles, knobs, and indurations, which characterize the disease. The progress being slow, the humour solidifies almost as fast as it transudes. Dr. Hancock had never known this disease to be communicated by husband to wife, or vice versa. This, with many other circumstances, induced him to believe that the disease was not contagious. The disease, in its early stage, is curable, though considered to be incurable: the unhappy subject is regarded with suspicion; and when the disease is fully established, the sufferer is obliged to be sent to some retired part of the colony. Bathing, salines, and anodynes, were recommended. The Indians, especially the aborigines of Guiana, resort to fomentations, baths, and a drink of the bark of a tree called Mouca, with the root of a vine, Paramaroora, a species of Cissus, and the bark of Waiacano (guiacum), the infusion of which is fermented with honey. They use, also, the bark of the tree "tamootu," a nondescript.

We now give our promised abstract of the Report read on Tuesday, by Dr. Black, on the Epidemic Influenza, as it occurred at Bolton-le-Moors, in January, February, and March of this year, and which principally referred to the Meteorology of the season, and to the question how far the Epidemic bore upon vital Statistics and Mortality.

After a summary of the principal pathognomonic symptoms which characterize the disease in its more severe and fatal forms, with a short notice of post mortem investigations, and the treatment generally adopted, Dr. Black proceeded to say, that to the medical philosopher, the extent and intensity with which the epidemic bore upon the population of the country, along with the ratio of mortality which marked its progress, as well as the meteorological state of the weather, which preceded and accompanied its march over the kingdom, were subjects of great, and of historical interest, especially when compared with the nature and progress of former epidemics of the kind, and with the rise, abode, and intensity, in other places, of the same epidemic. For the purpose of elueidating these important and relative matters under which the disease appeared and prevailed at Bolton, he obtained a correct register of the weather in its principal meteorological conditions, for the months of January, February, and March of this year, during which the epidemic appeared, prevailed, and decayed at that place, to which he had added a column exhibiting a scale of the epidemic's rise, maximum intensity, and decay. This column was constructed from the several lists of cases of influenza entered and kept by three of the principal practitioners of the place and himself; which entries for each day being added together, gave a ratio corresponding to 100 as the maximum intensity on the 3d February. To this table he also added a Mortality Register of 420 burials, and therein stated the several ages and quinquennial periods, at which the individuals died, after the fifth year, with the different amounts and ratios for the late epidemic season, as well as for the average of the same months during the five previous years.

VOL. II. -5