Adams, Seth S. Fa. Circulation. Alden, James M. N. Y. Stricture of the Rectum. Bascome, Daniel B. Turk's Island, Peritonitis, Bradford, Charles M. N. Y. Yellow Fever. Burns, Robert Pa. Physiology and Pathology of Carson, James G. Mi. Hepatitis. Chambers, George W. Pa. Cholera Infantum. Christian, Wm. W. Va. Chimaphila Maculata. Constable, Thomas F. Va. Amenorrhoea. Crichton, James E. Va. Hydrophobia. Criddle, Edward F. Va. Measles. Cross, William Va. Spinal Irritation. Lawrence, Thomas C. Mi. Yellow Fever. Middleton, Benjamin S. Va. Blood-letting. Mitchell, Moses T. Pa. Acute Dysentery. Mosley, Thomas H. Ga. The Mind as the result Nelson, William A. Va. Urinary Calculi. Oliver, James L. N. C. Proto-chloride of Mercury. Paschall, Zebulon M. N. C. Opium. Patterson, George W. Pa. Iodine. Peacock, Howel Ga. Remittent Fever. Pegram, William E. Va. Angina Pectoris. Daniels, Ezekiel Pa. Înjurious influence of tight Pieasants, William B. Va. Scrofula. dress. Dibrell, James A. Ten. Pneumonia. Donoho, Richard A. N. C. Amaurosis. Dortch, Lewis J. N. C. Arthritis. Dove, George M. D. C. Scarlatina. Dove, James Va. Dyspepsia. Fox, Daniel J. S. C. Dysentery. Frayser, Benjamin F. Va. Diseases of Dentition. Griffin, James L. C. Va. Diseases of the Osseous Haines, William S Del. Colica Pictonum, Heaton, James D. Va. Trachitis. Henry, Samuel H. Md. Club-foot. Hill, William A. Va. Medicina. Holden, Levi H. R. I. Blood-letting. Hudson, Edward Pa. Infantile Dentition. Hunter, Alexander Ga. Evidences of general Hussey, Elijah M. Ala. Position and Counte nance. Irwin, William F. Pa. Dropsy. Pope, Charles A. Ala. Pathology of the Arteries. Reynolds, Marcus S. C. Phrenitis. Ridley, William M. S. N. C. Calandra Granaria. Rives, Wm. H. Va. Qualification of a Surgeon. Roberts, William R. Va. Pleurisy. Robeson, Andrew Jr. Mass. Intermittent Fever. Smallwood, Thomas J. P. N. C. Acute Gastritis. Spence, William A. Jun. Va. Secale Cornutum. Taylor, James Thesus, Ala. Eupatorium Perfo. Taylor, John E. Pa. Cholera Infantum. Tuggle, Richard B. Va. Menstruation. Johnston, John G. Ga. The means of lessening Walker, John Va. Tracheitis. Kerr, James W. Pa. Cerebral symptoms con- Laurie, Shepherd D. C. Medicine an elevated Watkins, Clement C. Va. Intermittent Fever. Whaland, Thomas H. Md. Phthisis Pulmonalis. Wilkinson, Joseph B. La. Anatomy of and Wood, Thomas, Ohio, Hydrated Peroxide of Iron. At the Collegiate Commencement, held July 13th, 1838, the following gentlemen also received the Degree of Doctor of Medicine. George F. Boisseau, Va. Acute Gastritis. John Hiner, Md. Acute Hepatitis. Robert M. McCluer, Ind. Intermittent Fever. W. E. HORNER, M. D. Dean of the Medical Faculty. MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. Auscultation in Pregnancy.-In our last volume we published some observations on this subject, tending to exhibit the effect of the labour pains on the fœtal circulation. In one of our recent German journals' we find an interesting communication elucidative of the matter by D. Von Hoefft of St. Petersburg, detailing certain observations made on pregnant females in the Imperial Lying-in Hospital (der Kaiserlichen Gebäranstalt) of St. Petersburg. Some of the conclusions of Dr. Hoefft are as follows: a. In regard to the circulation between the mother and child. From the great difference between the number of beats of the maternal heart and that of the fœtus, it is clear and evident that no community of circulation exists, as the pulse of the mother is ordinarily a third, or a half, and in rare cases even two thirds less numerous than that of the child. Hence it is manifest, that after the death, or cessation of the circulation, of the mother, the fœtus may continue to live for some time in utero, as experience has shown. Auscultation, consequently, has proved biologically what Hunter's preparations had exhibited anatomically. b. The influence of uterine contraction on the circulation of the fœtus is exhibited in the most marked manner. During slight pains, the pulsations of the fœtus continue; but during more violent contractions, especially after the discharge of the waters, they are wholly interrupted, so that we may presume the fœtus to be in a state of temporary asphyxia in the last periods of labour, and that great danger may threaten the child if the pains continue for a long time without interruption. Temperature of the Vagina and Uterus during Menstruation, and of the Vagina during Pregnancy.-Dr. Fricke of Hamburgh has published some observations on this matter in the excellent journal of which he is one of the conductors. From these he deduces the following conclusions: 1. That the external air has a slight influence on the temperature of the axilla; but on that of the vagina and uterus none. 2. That the vagina is always warmer than the axilla, and even than the uterus; and that the temperature of the uterus exceeds that of the axilla. 3. That menstruation exerts so little effect on the temperature of the genital organs as not to merit attention. Pregnancy is also without any influence. 1 Neue Zeitschrift für Geburtskunde, B. vi. s. 1. 2 Zeitschrift für die Gesammte Medicin, Nov. 1838, s. 291. From Dr. Fricke's experiments it results, that the average temperature of the axilla before menstruation was about 98° of Fahrenheit, and that it did not rise above three quarters of a degree during the process. In the vagina the average temperature before the period was about 101°; and during the period about half a degree higher. The average temperature of the uterus before and during menstruation was much the same; that is, about 100° of Fahrenheit. Fatal Salivation from Inunction of Calomel in Hydrocephalus; by Dr. BICKING.-A child of three years lay desperately ill with hydrocephalus. Deeply comatose, beating its head against the pillow, and with occasional convulsions. The disease had been recognised at an early period, but resisted all medical means. Leeches had been applied in great numbers, the canal severely purged with calomel, and blisters and a seton in the neck resorted to in vain. The parents, who had lost two children with the same disease, earnestly besought that something should be attempted for the relief of this. Dr. B. had observed, in a similar case, that salivation, occurring unexpectedly after the use of calomel, preserved a patient in extreme danger, and resolved to try every means to produce this result in the instance. As there was little to hope from the internal administration of the calomel, which instantaneously passed off by the bowels, he adopted the plan of rubbing this substance into the gums. Ten grains were applied in this manner in the course of one day. On the next day five grains more were employed. The third day the salivary glands swelled, the gums softened and became sore, and saliva flowed from the mouth. At the same time the convulsions were arrested, the child roused from the coma and recognised its parents. The affection of the mouth, however, rapidly increased. The salivary glands, the lips and cheeks swelled, the tongue protruded 'from the mouth and a profuse discharge of offensive pus commenced. The sufferings of the child were dreadful; respiration and swallowing became extremely difficult, and articulation impossible. Under these circumstances the vital power was quickly exhausted. Gangrene of the cheek supervened and the child sunk. BOOKS RECEIVED. From Professor Horner.-University of Pennsylvania-Catalogue of the Trustees, Officers and Medical Class, session 1838-39. 8vo pp. 20. Philadelphia, Feb. 1, 1839. Catalogue of Medical Graduates of the University of Pennsylvania. April 5, 1839. 8vo pp. 8. From Dr. Darrach.-Tenth Annual Report of the Inspectors of the Eastern State Penitentiary of Pennsylvania. Read in Senate and House of Representatives, Feb. 19, 1839. 8vo pp. 28. Philadelphia, 1839. Erratum.-In the last number, owing to our not having seen the proof of the three last articles, the number of matriculates in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, during the past session, was printed 202 instead of 402. 1 Claurus u. Radius Beit. z. prac. Heilk. Bd. iv. Hft. 3. Sir-Should you think the following cases worthy of an insertion in the "Intelligencer," they are at your service. ART. I.-ADHESION OF THE PLACENTA, PUERPERAL PERITONITIS, &c. In this case, as no notes were taken at the time, I am under the necessity of stating the facts from my recollection of them. About the 15th of December, 1835, I was called to visit Mrs. D.; upon my arrival I was informed by the midwife that it was a case of twins, she having delivered her of the first child near twenty-four hours previous: the labour being easy and the vertex presenting. Experiencing great difficulty in bringing forth the second, the patient becoming exhausted, and the pains gradually ceasing, the friends became alarmed, and I was sent for. Mrs. D.'s consent being obtained through the midwife for me to take charge of her, I made an examination, and found the vertex presenting; by using frictions over the abdomen the pains were increased and the labour soon over. I then retired, in order that she might obtain an interval of rest prior to the coming away of the placenta. After the lapse of an hour the midwife informed me that the placenta had not advanced, and the pains were very severe. I introduced my hand as far as was practicable, during the intermission of the pain, but the uterus being in such an irritable condition, and so much pain arising therefrom, I was obliged to desist. After some time the pains entirely ceased, and a gentle tension upon the umbilical cord convinced me that the placenta still remained within the uterus. After having recourse to every means within my knowledge without any benefit, I made use of the ergot of rye in every form, both in small and large doses; this increased the pain, but the placenta still remained. I then became convinced that it was adherent to the uterus, and the only resort I knew of, was tearing it away; this I made an effort to do, but so great was the pain, that it was abandoned, and the assistance and counsel of my esteemed friend, Dr. Leggett, solicited. When the doctor arrived I communicated to him all that I had done; he requested another trial with the ergot, but no advantage was derived from it; he then undertook to separate the adhesion, but the same difficulty prohibited him as happened to myself. What was to be done? We concluded to yield it to nature and combat any untoward symptoms that might supervene. On the morning of the second day she was seized with rigours and all the usual symptoms of puerperal peritonitis, she was bled copiously, and the most active treatment resorted to, to overcome the disease; the fœtor arising from the sloughing placenta was so insupportable that it was impossible to remain in the room for any length of time with her; medicated injections were used to counteract it, but every thing that we could do availed naught, and she died on the morning of the ninth day, after the delivery of her last child. In concluding this I would remark that the second child in a day or two after its birth assumed a purple hue, and presented the symptoms of cyanosis, caused, as was presumed, by the foramen ovale remaining unclosed: it survived only seven days. I think this case interesting, although death took place; is it not uncommon in a twin case for both presentations to be the vertex, and cannot this be one of self-evolution? I have since been informed that injections of cold water into the vein of the umbilical cord have proved beneficial. Upon what principle does it prove so? I know not in what manner it has a tendency to destroy the adhesion. Retention of the Placenta for four days and a half.-Mrs. S. was confined with her first child on the 1st of January last, and towards midnight delivered by an old negro woman who officiated as midwife. On the following morning her friends became alarmed in consequence of the placenta being retained. A messenger was despatched in haste after Dr. Smith, he being the nearest physician; upon his arrival, and ascertaining the nature of the case, he bled her very freely, but without any benefit. Dr. Stewart was then requested to visit her; upon making an examination he found the os tincæ firmly contracted; venesection was repeated, and the ergot administered in the usual doses, without producing the slightest pain. On the morning of the 4th, through the request of Dr. Stewart, I accompanied him to her residence; we found upon examining over the surface of the abdomen, the uterus firmly contracted, no pain or tenderness upon pressure, pulse soft, full, and rather frequent, skin moist, &c. Having some fresh ergot with me, we concluded to use it with the warm hip bath still not the least pain was produced, nor did the contraction of the uterine fibre relax. Having exhausted our knowledge, and every remedy that we could command failing us, we left her with that regret which every physician must experience in a greater or less degree when he abandons his patient in such a condition, leaving the case as a last resource to the effort of nature. Expecting to hear of her death, we were agreeably disappointed upon receiving the intelligence that the placenta came away entire about ten o'clock on the morning of the 6th; she rapidly recovered. Since this case, I have seen in your publication, the "Intelligencer," the recommendation of injecting the decoction of poppy heads into the vein of the umbilical cord, as having proved very efficacious. JOHN J. SINNICKSON. Professor R. Dunglison. ART. II.-LOCAL APPLICATION OF IODINE IN HERPES CIRCINATUS. Dear Sir.-For the last twelve years I have used the alcoholic tincture of iodine as a local application in those troublesome cases of herpes circinatus or ring worm so common in our southern country, with the happiest effect. Indeed I do not recollect any case in which it has been used without a radical cure. As I believe it is not generally known to our medical public, not having seen it recommended by any author in similar cases, you may confer a favour on some of the readers of your valuable periodical by inserting this notice. Ararat, Montgomery Co. Ala. April 8th, 1839. Yours, truly, G. BILLINGSLEA. |