is no such thing in nature, if not used in an improper way.

Each class of disease has thus a class of remedies opposed to and adopted for their removal; and, as I noticed before, the ability of the system in bearing either class of remedies depends on the diathesis which prevails. So far is the basis of contra-stimulus founded on solidism, and the doctrine of Brown, in the upholding of excitability, and the simplicity of its dogmas. In its practical tendencies and general superstructure, it is, however, widely different; for, besides that, one of the idols of Brownonianism has been overthrown by the discovery of the contra-stimulant effect of some substances, another has shared the same fate, by the advocates of the Italian doctrine totally exploding the notion of indirect debility. Under the sway of this last idea, it was maintained by the Brownonians, that three diseases only in one hundred were of the sthenic diathesis. Now that such a dogma is laid aside, the supporters of contra-stimulants have severed the proportions, and hold that ninety-seven out of one hundred diseases come under the stimulant (or sthenic of Brown) diathesis; so that as the application of remedial means is affected, this is an important point of difference, and one which, while it manifests the superior merits of the new, no doubt, happily exposes the demerits of the old doctrine.

Contra-stimulus, though founded on excitability, "which," as one of the above writers said, "is a gratuitory idea," is thus not greatly at variance, in its practical application, with the more modern views of the tone of morbid action, which are entertained in England; for the proportion of the stimulant diseases equals that of the acute or phlogistic complaints, for which we employ antiphlogistic means, and the evacuating mode of treatment.

And although, in such a diathesis, contra-stimulants are liberally administered, positive depletion in many of them does not seem to be superseded, but is employed in the boldest manner. Whether or not the necessity of bleeding and purging is to be anticipated or prevented, in many diseases, by the administration of the contra-stimulant remedies of the materia medica, I am not sufficiently acquainted with the tenor and spirit of the new doctrine to say. In some, however,

it appears probable, that the object may be obtained, by dispensing wholly with direct depletion; for Dr. Rasori himself was very successful in this manner of treating pulmonic affections; and, by gradually increasing the dose of the contra-stimulus, he sometimes gave up to 72 altogether of the tartar emetic, before the excitement yielded. In Naples, also, venesection is seldom (according to Valentin) employed in such complaints, but the cure is conducted by the use of tartar emetic, nitre, and digitalis.

The basis of this doctrine may be, as no doubt it is, like all that have preceded, subject to much controversy; in its practical indications it has much to support it, in the many corroborating modes of both ancient and modern treatment; while, in so ingeniously expressing the modus operandi of almost every reputed medicine and specific, by considering them all contra-stimulants, it seems to appropriate every concurring datum of the day to its own elevation, and, like Napoleon, it rises the child of circumstance. The honour of its discovery is, of course, justly claimed by the Italians; and though there does not seem to be any elementary work respecting it, that contains the full exposition of it in a system, its doctrinal points and facts occupy a good share of the Italian medical literature, and have no doubt carried their influence beyond the boundaries of the land that claims their birth. Whether or not our own country may have participated in its influence, I will not venture to say, from my long absence; but it is rather remarkable, however, that most of the important medicines of repute in modern practice are contra-stimulants in the language of the doctrine, and have been popular, posterior to the discovery of the Italian doctrine. Digitalis, thus, had its run, and has fallen back into the second class of remedial means in inflammatory complaints. Calomel has been but of late years the leading remedy in abdominal affections; while the tartrite of antimony, though considered always an important medicine, has, particularly of late, been directed to the removal of local and visceral inflammation.

In one sheet of paper, however, I shall not attempt to offer any further remarks on this subject, or to detail the observations that some Italian writers have made on it.

'V.

Review.

SIR,-As you informed me that you had already prepared for the forthcoming Number of your Journal an article on Labarraque's disinfecting liquids, which, under the various denominations of chlorure-chlorides-chlorates, and even chlorurets, of oxides of calcium and sodium, have been much talked of in France, and repeatedly announced in this country; I think it due to your readers and yourself to acquaint you, before that Number is published, that, by a series of chemical experiments which I have had the honour of reading before the Royal Society, at two of its meetings, within the last fortnight, I have proved, that the ideas entertained by the French author, as well as by all his commentators and translators, of the composition of those liquids, but particularly of that which contains soda, are perfectly erroneous; and that, therefore, the name already given to that liquid, as well as the one proposed to be given to it, by a recent writer on the subject, are inapplicable and incorrect. It is suprising that the happy and valuable application of those liquids imagined by Labarraque, should have been sent by him into the world without one word of scientific illustration or chemical analysis, but merely grounded on pure assumption; and that all his commentators and translators should have contented themselves with repeating and taking for granted what he had promulgated, without assuming the trouble of enquiring, practically, into the soundness of his views, before they became the heralds of his discovery.

1. Labarraque's liquid of soda does not contain a "chlorure d'oxide de sodium," (Anglicè, chloride of soda) but is a mixture of 73.53 chloride of sodium, (marine salt) and 26.47 chlorate of soda, in every 100 grains, with an excess of chlorine equal to twice the bulk of the water employed.

2. The salts contained in the liquid in question are not the disinfecting agents; for, on their being obtained in a dry state, by a gentle evaporation of the liquid, and again re-dissolved in distilled water, it is found that all the remarkable properties of the liquid are lost. Hence, the attempt to sell the pretended basis (or chlo,

3. The real disinfecting agent in the liquid is the chlorine which it holds in a free state, as laid down in No. 1; for, if to the solution of the dry salt in water, mentioned in No. 2, chlorine gas be added, equal to twice the bulk of the water, all the disinfecting properties are restored.

4. A similar quantity of chlorine gas, held in solution by distilled water, produces the same disinfecting results, and with equal rapidity, but with great inconvenience to the operator, owing to the escape of the gas, which excites cough, and causes a constriction of the trachea and headache-effects not observed in the case of the disinfecting liquid of soda. From this circumstance, it must be inferred that the presence of the salts serves to chain down, as it were, the excess of chlorine gas.

5. According to the atomic theory, Labarraque's liquid of soda consists of— I integrant atom of Chlorate of Soda

13.5. 5 integrant atoms of Chloride of Sodium = 37.5.

6. The quantity of chlorine required to form these salts is considerable. Twenty fluid ounces of a solution of chrystallized carbonate of soda, prepared according to Labarraque's formula, absorb 503.36 cubic inches of chlorine gas, and form 725 grains of the mixed salts; besides which there are 69.43 cubic inches of the same gas remaining in a free state in the liquid. Of these facts Labarraque seems entirely ignorant.

7. The mode of preparing the liquid in question, proposed by that gentleman, is neither the easiest, nor the most economical.

8. The name which might, with propriety be substituted for the present erroneous one given to the liquid, is that of disinfecting liquid of soda," and, when writing a Latin formula, that of " liquor chloro-sodaicus Labarraquii."

Having had occasion to use, more extensively, perhaps, than any other person in this country, the two disinfecting liquids of lime and soda, and made numerous experiments on dead bodies, putrid animal matter, putrid effluvia, &c. for the last 15 months, but more particularly during the whole of the last very hot summer, in the presence of a great number of gentlemen, I am enabled to state,

in addition to the preceding information, that I have succeeded in ascertaining the modus operandi of chlorine on animal matter, in a state of putrefaction-that new compounds are formed during that action, which I have analyzed-that the presence of putrid effluvia in the air may be detected by chlorine-and that the easiest and most economical process of obtaining the liquid of soda for disinfecting purposes, is to saturate, with chlorine gas, a solution of muriate of soda, or common salt. These various points will be shortly developed, at full length, in a second communication to the Royal Society.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your very obedient Servant, A. B. GRANVILLE, M.D. F.R.S. Physician in ordinary to H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence. Grafton-st. Berkeley-sq. 15th March, 1827.

VI.

ADVERTISEMENT.*

THE following apology for British ANATOMY, and incitement to the cultivation of MORBID ANATOMY, Would little avail, unless a plan for promoting both, but especially the latter, easy of execution, and admitting of extensive application in all the cities and principal towns of the empire, were submitted through the Profession to the Public, and its adoption invited by the example of its utility.

The plan was formed by DR. FARRE, in the autumn of 1825; was announced, and the Building for it commenced in the spring of 1826, and was more particularly detailed by him in a Course of Illustrations on Organic Diseases of the Heart and Aorta, which he gave to the Profession at the close of 1826. The ACADEMY for carrying it into effect will be opened for the admission of Members and Students, on the 26th of March, 1827.

Plan of the Academy of Minute Anatomy,

and Pharmaceutical Analysis. Firstly, To cultivate the Anatomy of

This Advertisement is intended to be annexed to the Abstract of an Introductory Lecture, which is preparing for Publication.

Structure, as contradistinguished from the Anatomy of Relative Situation, which chiefly occupies the attention of the Schools.

Secondly, To give facility to post mortem examinations, for which a DEMONSTRATOR OF ANATOMY is provided, who will always hold himself at the service of those Medical Gentlemen who wish to encourage, but cannot command the time which is required for this pursuit.

Thirdly, To develop, by researches into Minute Morbid Anatomy, not only those organic changes which distinguish structural from functional diseases, but also to trace the peculiarities of the organization of morbid parts, which constitute the generic and specific characters in disease, and especially to observe the series of morbid appearances which occur successively in organs which are united, not only by the more obvious natural sympathies, but also by obscure morbid associations.

Fourthly, To publish, at stated periods, a JOURNAL OF MORBID ANATOMY, OPH THALMIC MEDICINE AND SURGERY, AND PHARMACEUTICAL ANALYSIS, open to the Profession for the reception of communications, recorded on the responsibility

of the contributors.

the Journal, ESSAYS on the Subjects of Fifthly, To publish, separately from the Illustrations in MORBID ANATOMY, occasionally given by DR. FARRE, with plain or coloured Plates, illustrating the successive changes of structure.

DRAWING and MODELLING, as far as it is Sixthly, To cultivate the Fine Arts of desirable that they should be connected with MINUTE PRACTICAL and MORBID ANATOMY. Most Anatomists have felt the disadvantage of being unacquainted with these Arts, and especially those who have more particularly directed their attention to Morbid Anatomy. The dif ficulty of preserving Morbid Appearances, and of obtaining an Artist to perpetuate them, renders this combination of studies Cooper, distinguished as much by his very desirable. His friend, Sir Astley zeal in this as in his other professional pursuits, and himself, to insure fidelity of representation in the execution of the Plates attached to their Works, retained a Miniature Painter in their joint service for several years, and educated him to the Profession.

It is indeed highly desirable that all persons, who cultivate Medicine from a love of the science, should study painting, as far as it is subsidiary to the primary pursuit, for an accurate Sketch is a permanent Memorandum. He intends that every Student of the Academy, over whom he may have control or influence, shall both Dissect and Sketch.

This Academy is at present an instrument in the hands of an individual; it rests with the Medical Public to make it an INSTITUTION. Regarding it in its humblest form, he will consider his labour repaid, if it produce but one British Anatomist, deserving to rank with the eminent men who have preceded him.

As an instrument of Analysis, it will not interfere with the Schools of Anatomy, and its object being the Anatomy of Structure, which is chiefly applicable to the Physiology of Health and Disease, entire Subjects will not be admitted, although the Anatomy of Relative Position, as far as it is subservient to the primary pursuit, will not altogether be excluded. Demonstrations in a regular Series, on Select Subjects of Minute Anatomy in the Gastric or Absorbent, Cardiac, and Sexual, but more especially of the Cerebral Systems, and in particular, of the Eye, Ear, and other Senses, will be given by MR. DALRYMPLE to the Pupils of the Academy, as opportunity may offer.

PHARMACEUTICAL ANALYSIS is blended with the pursuit of Minute Anatomy, with a view of obviating the difficulty often experienced by Medical Students of obtaining Pharmaceutical Knowledge. Many Physicians are defective in this part of their education. It is desirable that Students should have the opportunity, which they cannot now be said to possess, of gaining, by the readiest access to such Institutions, this knowledge, the importance of which to the Practitioner may be estimated, not only by the extent of its application to MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL SCIENCE, but also by its affording the only means of correcting, and finally putting down the adulteration to which drugs are so extensively subjected.

This part of the Academy is under the direction of MR. BATTLEY, whose liberal offer of erecting a Laboratory at his sole expense, for the instruction of the Students of the London Ophthalmic Infirmary, in his own Pharmaceutical Pro

cesses, made to the General Committee, shortly after the removal and pemanent establishment of that Institution in 1822, deserves, in this place, particular notice and acknowledgment.

A successive ANALYSIS of the most important Articles of the MATERIA MEDICA will be conducted by MR. BATTLEY, in which the greatest pains will be taken to separate their efficient principles, as nearly as possible, in the state in which they exist in the drug, without permitting them to enter into new combinations. The elementary parts thus obtained, will then be recombined, and the difference between the new compound and the original drug illustrated.

Not only will the operations of the PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORY, but also a MUSEUM OF MATERIA MEDICA, be open to the inspection of the Profession, and the study of the Pupils. The Museum will contain the finest Specimens of Galenical and Pharmaceutical Preparations, contrasted with those of an inferior kind. The different Processes of the various Pharmacopoeias will be investigated, and the best means of obtaining them pointed out.

Every facility will be given to ANATOMICAL and PHAMACEUTICAL ANALYSIS, for the purpose of Medical Jurisprudence, and of Countervailing the Effects of Poisons.

Due notice of the Transactions of the Academy will be given in the Journal, at stated periods, and a Diary will always be open to its Visitors and Pupils.

Contributors of perfect Cases, that is, of accurate Histories, with careful Post Mortem Examinations of all the Cavities and External Condition of the Subject, with the Morbid Specimens, or of New Articles for the Materia Medica; or of Models, Drawings, or Instruction, to increase and diffuse Medical Science by aid of the Fine Arts, will be accounted Honorary Members of the Academy.

The ACADEMY adjoins the LONDON OPHTHALMIC INFIRMARY, has been erected, and is supported by the SAUNDERIAN FUND, which is independent of the Funds of the INFIRMARY. Voluntary Contributors to this Fund, either in or out of the Profession, will be accounted Benefactors, and constitute another class of Honorary Members.

Students who contribute to the Fund which supports the Academy, at the mo

derate rate which may be known at the Infirmary, will be considered as its Pupils.

Notice of the Institution of an Annual Saunderian Lecture on Ophthalmic Medicine.

It is intended that the FIRST of these LECTURES be given to the Profession, at THE LONDON OPHTHALMIC INFIRMARY, on Wednesday, the 28th of March, 1827, at Four o'clock in the Afternoon, pre

cisely, by DR. FARRE; and that the MORBID ANATOMY OF THE ORGAN OF RESPI RATION be subsequently given, on Monday, the 28th of May, and on each succeeding Monday, at the same place and hour, until the subject be finished.

The Card only, of each Gentleman desirous of attending these LECTURES, is required, which may be previously left at the Lecturer's House, No. 4, Charterhouse Square.

1. A Physiological Enquiry respecting the Action of Moxa, and its Utility in Inveterate Cases of Sciatica, Lumbago, Paraplegia, Epilepsy, and some other painful, paralytic and spasmodic Diseases of the Nerves and Muscles. By WILLIAM WALLACE, M. R. I. A. &c. &c. Lecturer on Semeiology and Clinical Surgery, &c. Dublin. 8vo. pp. 148, with a Plate. 1827.

2. Scriptores Ophthalmologici Minores. Volumen Primum. Edidit JUSTUS RADIUS, Philos. Med. et Chir. Doct. in Acad. Lips. Med. P. P. E. &c. &c. Cum Tabula. Lipsiæ, Sumptibus C. H. F. Hartmanni. СІЗНЭСССХХVІ.

3. Pharmacopée Française, ou Code des Medicamens, Nouvelle Traduction du Codex Medicamentarius, sive Pharmacopœa Galica. Par F. S. RATIER, Docteur en Médecine de la Faculté de Paris; augmentée de Notes et Additions, contenant la Formule et le Mode de Préparation des Nouveaux Medicamens dont la pratique s'est enrichie jusqu'a nos jours, un grand nombre d'Analyses Chimiques, et suivie d'un Tableau des Eaux Minérales de France. Par O. HENRY, Fils. Svo, pp. 556. Paris et Londres, chez M. Bailliere. 1827.

We have to thank M. Bailliere for this volume.

4. Observations on the Surgical Pa thology of the Larynx and Trachea, chiefly with a view to illustrate the Affections of those Organs which may require the Operation of Bronchotomy; including remarks on Croup, Cynanche Laryngea, Foreign Bodies in the Windpipe, Wounds, &c. &c. By WILLIAM HENRY PORTER, A. M. M. R. C. S. in Ireland, &c. 8vo. pp. 283. Dublin, 1826.

Journals received in Exchange. We have much pleasure in announcing the following amicable interchange of periodical labours, viz.

1. The Edinburgh Medical and Surgi cal Journal, (Quarterly).

2. The Philadelphia Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences, (Quar terly).

3. The Revue Medicale et Journal de Clinique, (Monthly).

4. The Edinburgh Journal of Medical Science, No. 5, (Quarterly.)

5. The London Medical and Physical Journal, (Monthly).

6. The London Medical Repository, (Monthly).

7. The North American Medical and Surgical Journal (Quarterly).

8. The American Medical Review and Journal, (Quarterly).

9. The Archives Generales de Medicine, (Monthly).