fever (including "typhoid "), 12. For the week ending January 27, 437: Consumption, 62; apoplexy, 5; congestion of brain, 13; dysentery, 7; diarrhoea, 10; bronchitis, 13; pneumonia, 35; croup, 15; scarlet fever, 30; measles, 12; typhus fever (including "typhoid "), 10.

Meteorological Observations for January.-The mean temperature for the four weeks ending January 28th, 1855, was 35°; for 1854, 30.3°; for 1853, 31°. Mean dew-point below air temperature for 1855, 5.8°; for 1854, 7°; for 1853, 8°. Amount of rain for 1855, 3.5 inches; 1853, 1.3 inches. Mean temperature same time nine years, 38°; amount of rain same time nine years 2.5. Mortality for the four weeks ending January 28, 1855, 1,788; for 1854, 1,918; for 1853, 1,530; mean mortality for January for last eleven years, deducting still-born, 1,136.

OBITUARY NOTICES.

Died in this city, of typhoid fever, on the 20th January, JOHN W. FRANCIS, jun., æt. 22.

It is the promise, whose fruition is cut off, which usually induces and justifies grief for the death of the young, beyond the circle of their kindred and near friends; but in the loss of John W. Francis, jun., it is rare maturity, whose departure we lament. His principles, habits of thought, and individuality of purpose, were as clearly fixed and as rationally founded, as if forty, instead of twenty-two years, comprised the period of his life. Of all professions, the medical demands this firmness, self-reliance, and harmony of character. A resolute will and a calm judgment are its primary and essential qualifications. These our young friend possessed in an eminent and, as far our observation extends, in an unprecedented degree, taking into consideration his youth. Of a vigorous physical constitution, the solidity of his mind corresponded with his remarkably strong and harmonious organization. Habituated from boyhood to the society of men older than himself, and living in the midst of an intellectual domestic circle, his tastes were early molded by familiarity with literary and scientific conversation. The distinguished professional rank of his father, and the access thus constantly afforded him to the counsel and companionship of leading physicians, both native and foreign, a love of reading, facility in discussion, a thirst for knowledge, and reverence for genius, were among the first lessons taught him by instinct and association. In his school and college days, these singular advantages were realized in a desultory way. Besides the special studies incident to that period, he carried on an extensive and thorough course of reading in standard English literature, and became, not only acquainted, but imbued with the best authors of his vernacular tongue. He examined the most reliable critics in each department, and asked the opinions of more advanced lovers of these masters of thought and language, with an intelligent zeal that never failed to elicit sympathetic and discriminating replies. His academical training at Columbia College embraced, besides the classics, in which he was proficient, the acquisition of the modern languages, which he read with facility, and in some instances spoke with freedom and correctness. His literary equipment being thus complete, it was a disciplined and a liberally furnished, as well as a resolute mind, that he brought to the study of medicine. To this pursuit he was led by filial devotion. To share and relieve his father's professional toil, was the great motive and aim of his life; and in order to realize this cherished object, he not only attended the lectures of the University Medical School, and passed stated examinations, but assumed duties in the Hospital highly responsible and absorbing, took charge of poor patients, whom his purse often sup

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plied, while his skillful care relieved. Thus were crowded into each day's routine, the studies of the neophyte and the cares of the practitioner, until both frame and brain were overwrought, and fatigue and exposure opened the way for the insidious disease which at once deprived an affectionate family of its idol, society of a benefactor and ornament, and many hearts of a beloved and respected friend. Are we not strictly correct, then, in declaring that it is maturity rather than promise that we mourn? To those who knew and loved him, it is needless to say that a manly, loyal, self-devoted, and richly endowed spirit has left the earth. To parents mourning such a son, man can utter but feeble consolation. To the religion he consistently professed, must they look for solace; but to the young who have adopted the same professional studies, we offer his example, with tearful admiration.

Never has it been our lot to witness more impressive obsequies. The comrades of the lamented son and the friends of the eminent father, being drawn together by a mutual sorrow, formed an assemblage, both in its character and its demeanor, such as has been seldom paralleled in this metropolis. This was a spontaneous tribute to departed excellence and rare affliction, as the time allowed was too brief for the usual funeral notice. The sad procession left the house of Dr. Francis, No. 1 Bond Street, soon after 1 o'clock, on Monday, January 22d instant, preceded by the Rev. Drs. Hawks and Neville. The pall-bearers were, Charles H. Ward, Henry T. Tuckerman, A. H. Wenzler, J. Henry, jun., Frederick G. Swan, Otis D. Swan, Dr. Errick Parmley, and Dr. Agnew. The physicians of the deceased, Dr. Valentine Mott, Dr. R. S. Kissam, and Dr. F. Campbell Stewart, followed the immediate family. His classmates of Columbia College, and of the University Medical School, forming a large array, occupied the side body pews in St. Thomas' Church, where the funeral cortege was met by the Rev. E. M. P. Wells, of Boston, who, as a guest in the family, had ministered most acceptably in the house of mourning. Nearly every member of the New York Academy of Medicine was present. We noticed several of our leading merchants, whose avocations seldom permit their absence from business at such an hour of the day; also President King, of Columbia College, Governor Fish, Rev. Dr. Bethune, Rev. Dr. Spring, Mr. W. B. Astor, Mr. Cogswell, and other distinguished lay men, with a large attendance of ladies, friends of the family.

The attention of this large and varied assemblage was devout and tearful. The service was read by Dr. Hawks and Dr. Neville. An appropriate and touching hymn was sung, after which the remains were conveyed to Greenwood Cemetery, accompanied by the nearest relations and friends. Since the funeral, the graduates and students of the two institutions with which John W. Francis, jun., was connected, have held meetings, and passed resolutions expressive of their deep sense of his rare worth and high attainments, and of heartfelt sympathy with his bereaved family. Similar tributes, though in a less public manner, have been offered to his memory by the professors under whose teachings he was instructed.

At Malden, Mass., on 5th January, Dr. Gould, senior physician in Malden. -At Meroda, Central Africa, in August last, Dr. Barth, the celebrated African traveler, a victim to the climate.-At Lockport, N. H., on 12th Dec., suddenly, Dr. E. D. Worcester.-At Perth, Amboy, January 1st, Dr. N. Peabody, æt. 82, formerly of Salem, Mass.-At Sacramento, California, on 7th December, Dr. B. Colville.-On the 20th January, at Chester, Pa., Dr. David Myerle. At Rochester, January 12th, of phthisis, Dr. R. M. Rogers.-At Northampton, Mass., in Jan., Dr. Chas. Walker, æt. 52.-At Boston, Mass., on 25th January, Dr. Zabdiel Boylston Adams, æt. 62, one of the most distinguished practitioners in that city.

TILDEN & Co's MANUFACTORY OF MEDICINAL EXTRACTS
At New Lebanon, New York

TILDEN & Co. 98 JOHN STREET, NEW YORK.

A case of Vesico-Vaginal Fistula cured by Sims' operation. By A. V. WILLIAMS, M. D., New York.

On the 9th of March, 1854, at 4, P. M., I was called to Mrs. R., in labor with her third child. She had already been in hard labor thirtysix hours.

I found the head presenting at the os externum, where it had rested, as I was told, since 5, A. M., although the labor pains had been, most of the time, violent. The patient was then very much exhausted, the pains were frequent but feeble, and without any parturient effort; the pulse very rapid, and small; skin cold, abdomen tender and tympanitic, face shrunken, difficult respiration, vulvæ swollen and inflamed. I gave the patient some brandy and water. The head of the child was large, and the fontanelle towards, and resting firmly against, the pubis. As no time was to be lost, I delivered her with forceps, without any difficulty, of a child weighing fourteen pounds. The head was very much elongated, and, from the appearance of the child, it had been dead several hours.

The woman was not exhausted by the operation, but felt more comfortable. Some nourishment was given, and after she had been comfortably placed in bed, two grains of opium was administered, with directions to follow it by another grain, if required. A poultice was applied to the vulva.

Di

March 10. The patient slept well until 12, P. M. last night, since which she has been restless and anxious; pulse 140 per minute; abdomen tympanitic, and nearly as large as before delivery; skin warm. rected a brisk cathartic, and fomentations to the abdomen, the vagina and vulva to be bathed with infusions of chamomile; as soon as the VOL. IV. NO. 6.

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