usual method; and a result more favorable has not yet been obtained by any of the numerous surgeons who have given torsion a fair trial. On the whole, M. Velpeau gives the preference to the ligature; but admits that, occasionally, especially in operations in soft yielding structures, the hæmorrhage may be securely checked by simply twisting the vessels.-Revue Médicale. XLI. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF BRAZIL, PUBLISHED AT RIO DE JANEIRO. THE first Number of the "Semanario de Sante Publica," or Weekly Journal of Public Health, has recently issued from the press at Rio, and augurs well of the zeal and observation of the medical men there. 'Tis, indeed, refreshing to the mind, to mark the benign influence which liberty diffuses over the intellectual, as well as over the moral energies of mankind; for, while the parent countries of Spain and Portugal are oppressed with despotism and sunk in apathy and indolence, their children of the New World are animated with a generous rivalry of scientific distinction. France, before the first revolution, had only one medical journal of any importance, and now she is the most prolific mother of periodicals. We shall extract one or two short articles. I. HEPATITIS, ENDING IN AN ABSCESS, WHICH WAS DISCHARGED OUTWARDLY. A. M. aged 20, had a smart attack of acute inflammation of the left lobe of the liver, which gave way to antiphlogistic treatment; but, although the febrile symp toms vanished, some tenderness of the epigastrium and right hypochondrium remained, which, in a few days, was followed by a soft, fluctuating swelling. In fifteen days, the abscess was ripe for discharge, and it was therefore opened by the lancet. (N.B. The better method is that recommended by Dr. Recamier; viz. to employ caustic instead of a cutting instrument, for thus the adhesion of the cyst with the abdominal parietes is rendered more secure, and all danger of effusion is prevented.) The suppuration was encouraged for a few days, and soon after, under simple dressings, the cure was completed. II. PURULENT CYSTS IN THE CAVITIES OF THE HEART. A. C. aged 21, had long suffered from indolent ulcerations of the legs, and presented a most cachectic appearance. He had symptoms of hydrothorax, and of diseased liver. On dissection, the left lung was found completely wasted, and the left cavity of the pleura filled with a flocculent, serous fluid. The heart was enlarged, and when its cavities were laid open, numerous purulent cysts, varying in size from that of a milletseed to a hazel-nut, were observed to line the surface of the left ventricle and auricle. -Revue Médicale. XLII. STATISTICAL RESEARCHES ON THE IN CREASE OF POPULATION IN EUROPE. M. MOREAU de JONNE's states that the prolific powers of the human race are such, that from every marriage we may estimate, on an average, the birth of six children, of which two die usually in infancy, and the remaining four survive, marry in their turns, and become thus multiplying nuclei of population. To exhibit the ratio of increase in figures-the offspring of one couple is supposed to be 6 children in 33 years, 12 in 66 years, 24 in a century, 192 in 200 years, more than 98,000 in 500 years, and upwards, of three thousand millions in 1000 years. According to this estimate, provided there was no impediment to the natural order and course of events, and no obstacle to propagation, a single family living in the time of Charlemagne, might have peopled the whole of the inhabited world. The experience of nations, however, gives a very different account of the increase of man in any given country: thus Gaul at the time of the Romans, contained about four millions of inhabitants, and it has required no fewer than 1860 years to raise the population to its present census of 32 millions; instead therefore of a couple doubling its numbers in 33 years, as above stated, 615 years, or about 18 times as long a period has elapsed, before such was effected; a calculation which supposes that the annual excess of births over deaths, is only one in a thousand. If, as we have reason to believe, the population of the world does not exceed a thousand millions, it follows that it has doubled itself only 28 times since the period of the deluge; and that the average interval between each duplication has been 150 years. XLIII. NUTRITIOUS SOUP PREPARED FROM M. COSMENY states that, in consequence of the events of July, 1830, the working classes in Rheims were reduced to great want, and means had to be taken to afford relief to upwards of 4,200 families in extreme indigence. An assessment of 23,000 francs was therefore laid on the inhabitants. M. Cosmeny had the direction of the whole. He established an immense apparatus for preparing soup from the boiling of bones; and in 133 days he distributed 301,910 rations, as follows. There were 212,800 rations of broth (potage) and bread; 35,000 rations of ragouts made of potatoes with the fat of bones; and 26,600 rations of boiled meat; and lastly, 9,310 rations for the support of the cooks who were employed in the kitchen. The expense of each ration, including the charge for the apparatus, he estimates at 7 1-4 cents; the quantity of 44 bones used every day was 480 pounds, 48 which yielded 600 rations of soup, 18 ounces to each ration.-Revue Médicale. The following is supposed to exhibit an accurate view of the progressive increase of population in the different countries of Europe. In Prussia the population has been doubled in In Austria In European Russia Years. 39 In Poland and Denmark 50 From this table it appears, that if we group together the Northern countries of Europe, the average period taken to double their population is scarcely half a century; whereas it requires about 80 years for this purpose in the southern countries; the mean of both is nearly 57 years. We must observe that the term indicated in the table which we have just given is to be viewed only as an analytical census of the fecundity of mankind in different countries; and not as a correct announcement of the number of inhabitants which will be found at any particular date occupying such and such a country.Revue Médicale. XLIV. CONTAGION. DR. ESQUIROL gives it as his opinion that all contagious diseases near the period of their decline, lose the power of propagating themselves; and he illustrates the truth of the remark, by the curious fact, that towards the termination of an epidemic variola, the matter of the pustules may very frequently be innoculated without effect; and that, as a general rule, all pestilences are more destructive and fatal when the miasmata are yet in small quantity, than when they afterwards become more diffused, and consequently more diluted. Revue Médicale. XLV. DILATATION OF THE CAVITIES OF THE CORVISART and all preceding physicians that dilatations of the heart are much less frequently dependent on some contraction of its orifices than has been generally believed.-Revue Médicale. XLVI. COMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE TWO ment to the exit of the blood from them. VARICOSE TUMOUR IN A VENOUS BRANCH MM. Louis, Bouillaud, Andral, and Pigeaux have, however, clearly shewn that this explanation will not always hold good. The cavity most frequently dilated is the right ventricle, and yet of all the openings communicating with the heart, that of the pulmonary artery is the least often found diseased; hence we may safely conclude, that there is no direct connexion or dependence of these two morbid states, the one upon the other. We must therefore search for a cause more general; and we shall probably be led to discover it in some change of the muscular and moving powers of the walls of the affected cavity. M. Pigeaux has observed that the right side of the heart is generally dilated in those who have died of asphyxia; and that the left ventricle when dilated, is usually hypertrophied at the same time; and that these morbid states most frequently co-exist, especially in old persons, with a diminished firmness and consistence of the substance of the heart, and with an ossification of the arteries of the trunk, or extremities. M. Piorry, who was appointed by the Academy of Medicine to report on M. Pigeaux' Memoir, thinks that an increase in the size of the right side of the heart is very often dependent on the circulation through the lungs being obstructed by tubercles, by hepatization, or by simple asthma, by fits of coughing, or by the efforts of vomiting. It is of great importance, therefore, in reflecting upon the causes which may give rise to dilatations of the right ventricle and auricle, to consider well, whether the pulmonary circulation has probably been exposed to an occasional or to a permanent interruption, or impediment of any sort; but M. Pigeaux deserves well of medicine in having established his opinion A MAN, aged 23, entered the Hôpital de la Charité under the care of M. Roux. There was a tumour situated immediately above the clavical, of the size of a pigeon's egg, which was at first supposed to be an encysted tumour;-it was firm, elastic, and did not pulsate. The patient had noticed it for about two years, but it was only within the last two months that it had given him any annoyance. Its true nature was not ascertained before the operation; when cut into, a quantity of coagulated black blood flowed out, and the swelling was now discovered to be formed by the dilated vein. M. Roux put a ligature round it, and also around several thoracic branches. Fortunately the wound healed perfectly in a fortnight. In his clinical lecture upon this case, the surgeon remarked that varicose tumours of the veins of the superior part of the body are very rare; he had seen one case, underthe care of Sir A. Cooper, in which the superficial veins of the fore-arm were immensely distended; and another had been mentioned to him very analogous to the present example; the walls of the internal jugular vein were found perforated with numerous small holes, and the swelling had been formed by the effusion of blood into the surrounding cellular tissue. These varicose tumours have a great analogy with the aneurism which Mr. Pott once observed in the neighbourhood of the popliteal artery, and which had been produced by the blood escaping from small perforations in the sides of the artery. Morgagni has seen the vena azygos equal the size of the superior cava in a case, wherein it had been ruptured and had caused the death of the patient by the effusion of blood into the right cavity of the pleura. Mr. Cline once met with a case of varix of the internal jugular, which burst and occasioned death by hemorrhage.-Journ. Hebdom. XLVII. TUMOR-THE REMAINS OF AN OLD HERNIAL SAC IN THE SHEATH OF THE SPERMATIC CORD. A MAN, aged twenty-nine, had a tumor in the spermatic cord, situated between the inguinal ring and the testicle, of the size of a walnut. It has been there for fifteen years and given little annoyance till three months ago, when it began to increase in size and to become more painful. When carefully examined, it conveys to the finger the sensation of an enclosed fluid; the ring, cord, and testicle are not involved with it. The patient states that at first the swelling might be pushed up to, but never within, the original canal. It was considered to be either an encysted tumor of the cord, or the remains of an omental hernia, or a fleshy or scirrhous tumour. M. Roux extirpated it. On puncturing it, a quantity of pale yellow serum flowed out. Death, from fever, took place a fortnight after the operation, and on dissecting the inguinal canal, the omentum was found adhering all round to its circumference. M. Roux gave it as his opinion that the tumour which was removed, had been an old hernial sac, the open neck of which had been in course of time obliterated, and stated, that what tended to confirm this was, that during the operation it was found to be very much more coherent at its upper than at its lower part.-Journ. Hebdom. XLVIII. DISSECTION OF A PERSON WHO DIED FROM INANITION. Universal emaciation; weight of the body about 58 pounds. Brain of a paler colour than natural; no water in the ventricles; cortical substance of healthy consistence; medullary substance of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and the medulla oblongata considerably firmer and denser than is usually observed. Heart of the ordinary size, but very pale in colour; soft and easily torn; lungs nearly normal; oesophagus contracted; stomach of its ordinary size, and containing an ounce or two of greenish fluid; mucous membrane adhering strongly; the thickness of the walls of the stomach and intestines sensibly diminished; valvula conniventes very distinct; hardened fæcal matter in the right portion of the colon; the rest of the intestines empty. The omentum reduced to a mere serous web, which was traversed by blood-vessels. Mesentery containing no fat. Liver of a healthy colour and size; its substance denser than usual. Gall-bladder distended with a black, thick bile, which was very like a strong solution of extract of liquorice. Spleen exceedingly small, almost round, with a diameter of about two inches ; texture very dense and resisting pressure. Kidneys reduced in size, and of very firm consistence. Muscular system almost "annihilated," so shrivelled were the fleshy "ropes of life." Though no trace of fat was to be observed, the marrow was not deficient in the long bones.-Archives Gén. XLIX. ERUPTION OF ROSEOLA CAUSED BY THE USE OF COPAIBA AND CUBEBS. A YOUNG MAN was ordered by M. Velpeau a mixture containing the balsam of copaiba, powder of cubebs and magnesia: he took it for six days, when he began to experience troublesome itching and smarting on the neck, chest, &c. &c. and next morning there was a full eruption of roscolous patches A PRISONER at Toulouse died after having over his body. These patches very much refused to take food for 63 days. resembled the rash of measles. By discon tinuing the medicine, and keeping the body cool, the young man was well in a day or two.-Archives Générales. L. CASE OF LITHOTRITY. BERENGER, aged 16, had laboured for many months under all the symptoms of calculus in the bladder, the presence of which was recognised by the sound. The instrument recommended by M. Civiale was used. It was introduced without difficulty, and only very slight pain was felt by the attempts to lay hold of the stone, whose diameter was two centimetres (nine lines.) When it was properly secured, the operator began to work the borer, by which the calculus was soon crushed to small pieces, and on withdrawing the instrument, it was found filled with the debris. The operation lasted only seven minutes. The patient was ordered a warm bath, and while he was in it, he passed per urethram many calculous fragments, some of them being of the size of a pea, and causing considerable pain and smarting in the passage. After a few days quiet, a sound was introduced but no vestige of any calculus could be found; and since the operation the patient continued well. This is one of the very few cases in which lithotrity has succeeded in curing a person at one sitting.-Archives Générales. LI. OBSERVATIONS ON A SPECIES OF APOPLEXY, IN WHICH THE BLOOD IS EFFUSED IN NUMEROUS POINTS ON THE SURFACE OF THE BRAIN. By M. DANCE. A YOUNG woman, aged 21, complained at first of a shivering, and of feeling as if she had been well bruised and beaten. In a day or two the symptoms of fever shewed themselves, but yet there was no fixed pain in the head. She was bled and kept on low dict. On the following day there was greater prostration; the pulse was weaker; she complained of pain all over her body, and did not refer it to any particular inward part; her arms, however, if moved gave her much distress and even sharp pain, like that of rheumatism; and when she was provoked by questions, she began to acknowledge that she felt an uneasiness in her head. On the following day slight delirium and general restlessness, with great prostration, drowsiness, inability to protrude the tongue; a purplish red hue of the face; heat and slight moisture of the skin; frequent, full, but feeble pulse; an occasional cough; an almost complete paralysis of the upper extremities; when they were raised, they fell down if not supported, and no effort was made by the patient; the head if elevated rolled down again on the pillow when the hand was withdrawn; the urine was passed involuntarily; she became quite comatose, and died next day. Dissection. No serous effusion under any part of the arachnoid. At the posterior third of the left hemisphere, near to the course of the longitudinal sinus was observed a patch of deep red colour, quite circumscribed, and of about the size of a shilling; the cerebral substance to the depth of two or three lines was involved in this patch, which appeared to be produced by a softening and breaking-down of the substance of the brain, and by being intimately blended with effused blood. When a small stream of water was allowed to play on this patch, an irregular excavation was left, the cerebral matter being washed away; the surrounding substance appeared quite healthy. A few lines distant from this spot, another not larger than the head of a large pin was noticed; and when examined attentively, it was discovered to be a minute clot of blood. On other places of the surface of this hemisphere were many more of these black points, in every respect like the former, and all presenting the mixed characters of ramollissement of the brain, and of hemorrhage, as if small clots of blood had been infiltrated into the softened cerebral matter. This appearance was most conspicuous at the lower and back part of the |