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kind of burning fluid had been used, and im- mile to a conservatory; when near the conmediately fell, with loss of consciousness. servatory felt weak, pain in both back of neck Just previously to the loss of consciousness, and limbs. Felt faint in the conservatory, had pain in the back of the neck, extending and obliged to return to the open air; was down along the spine and into the arm. In ten nauseated, but did not vomit. Immediately or fifteen minutes partially recovered, then walked towards home; found her limbs unagain unconscious; muscles of limbs complete- steady, obliged to run and then stop and sup ly relaxed; face very pale; respiration four port herself by the fence; was compelled to to six times per minute; pulse 18 to 22; lie down, but did not lose consciousness; was hands and feet cold and moist; groaned fre- carried home. The pain in the back of the quently; vomited freely and spontaneously, neck and limbs continued till 9 o'clock, when and afterwards under the influence of mustard she went to bed. Had occasionally some diffi flour mixed with warm water. Warm blankets culty of breathing, a catching of the breath; and bottles of hot water were applied to the in the morning was quite well. epigastrium and limbs, and in the course of two hours he had recovered his consciousness and drank warm tea. Slept well during the night. In the morning was quite well.

Neither of these individuals have eaten partridges since.

To these cases may be added a number more, the outlines of which have been communicated by different medical friends.

The principal and most characteristic symptoms were loss of consciousness; relaxation of CASE IX.-Same individual. February 23, the muscles, and in one instance of the sphinc1850, went into the country in the morning ters; paleness; cold feet and hands; slow and rode till 3 o'clock, P. M.; then sat down in and infrequent respiration, and slow and inthe open air and ate part of a partridge, but it frequent but regular pulse. The act of vomitwas so bitter that the remainder was thrown ing was followed by almost immediate relief. away; drank a wine-glass of brandy. Took railroad train, and on leaving it in thirty-five minutes walked from fifteen to twenty minutes, when (about one hour after eating the par- From a general analysis of the symptoms tridge,) had pain in the back of the neck and produced, it appears that under certain cirlimbs. Passed a house, and observed that the cumstances the flesh of the partridge acts as a lights appeared blue, and immediately suspect direct sedative poison, impairing the functions ed the partridge of being the cause of his of the brain, and, in connection, those of the troubles. Soon after, found himself at the digestive and circulating systems. The cerebottom of a steep declivity, having lost his bral symptoms, in a majority of cases, have consciousnees and rolled down a bank. Got been vertigo, loss of sight, tinitus aurium, and up, and walked to a house; and again noticed in bad cases general loss of the power of the blue lights. In attempting to take a glass sensation and voluntary motion. Respiration of cold water again lost his consciousness and has been slow, sometimes to a great degree. fell; was carried home, and after taking mus- In the circulating system there has been syntard flour, vomited and was soon relieved. Be- cope, feeble and sometimes irregular action of fore vomiting, respiration very slow and not the heart; weak, slow, and sometimes impermore than half the usual number of inspira- ceptible pulse; cold surface, and pale or livid tions. Pulse 42 per minute; hands and feet complexion. In the digestive system there is cold and the face pale. During the periods oppression, nausea with tendency to vomit, of loss of consciousness, which did not con- and in many cases pain in the abdomen extinue more than five minutes at a time, the tending through to the back. In more rare limbs were quite powerless. The recovery cases pain has been felt in the head and limbs. was sudden, and the action energetic; The foregoing morbid symptoms have mostly speech impeded, apparently from want of appeared within two or three hours after tak muscular power. Time elapsed between first ing the food. But instances have occurred in symptoms and relief by vomiting, from an hour which persons have been taken before leaving and a half to two hours. the table.

CASE X.-Mrs. W., aged forty-five, ate for dinner, two days before the date of the last case, a part of a roasted partridge, bought at the same time with that used by her husband. This, also, was extremely bitter, and only a small quantity eaten. After dinner walked a

The poison of the partridge has never, to my knowledge, proved fatal. The remedies usually and properly resorted to, are a prompt emetic, accompanied or followed by stimulants, if the prostration is urgent. Free spontaneous vomiting not unfrequently removes the difficul

ty before the physician arrives. Acrid stimu- generally detected by the taste, and the incilants, such as a teaspoonful of mustard, may pient putrescency so often recognized in game serve the double purpose of a quick emetic is usually corrected by the antiseptic effect of and an incitant to the depressed vital powers. the gastric juice.

Spirits, and other diffusible stimulants are in- More probable solutions of the difficulty are, dicated by the sinking condition of the patient, 1. That the bird is affected with some disbut the anxiety of friends often leads to their ease at the time of its death. 2. That some excessive administration, for which the patient slow chemical change not putrifactive, may pays by a prolonged continuance of his nar- take place when the flesh is long kept in cotism. Friction and external warmth are in- cold weather, as observed by my friend Dr. dicated and generally desired by the patient. Cabot. 3. That the idiosyncrasy of individThe flesh of the partridge is justly esteem- uals renders some persons intolerant of this ed as a great delicacy, and is abundantly sold species of food. This latter supposition is in the markets of this and many other cities. sustained by the facts, that the same person Audubon says of it: "In my humble opinion has sometimes been affected twice, that a it far surpasses as an article of food any land majority of persons, partaking of the same bird we have in the United States, except the partridge, escape unharmed, when others are wild turkey." It is in its best condition poisoned, and that individuals are found who in the fall of the year, and continues cannot eat lobster, mackerel and certain other to be common throughout the winter. kinds of food without suffering symptoms apWe have hardly any species of game which is proaching in character to those already desought for with more avidity, or consumed, in scribed. proportion to its size, in greater numbers. As a general rule, it is, and may be taken with. perfect impunity.

MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK-SEMI-CENTENNIAL

MEETING.

The Society met pursuant to Statute, at 11 o'clock this morning, (Tuesday, Feb. 3,) in the Common Council Chamber.

A large number of permanent members and delegates were present.

The meeting was called to order by the President, Dr. ALDEN MARCH, of Albany.

The President presented the resignation of the Secretary, Dr. HOWARD TOWNSEND. The resignation was accepted.

On motion of Dr. GEORGE W. BRADFORD, Dr. WILLARD, of Albany, was appointed Secretary.

The fact that the meat of the partridge occasionally proves poisonous, has given rise to much speculation in regard to the cause. The point most generally admitted respecting it, is, that its bad effects chiefly, if not always, take place in winter, when the ground is covered with snow. This circumstance has given rise to a popular belief that the noxious quality in the meat of the bird is attributable to some poisonous food on which, in winter, it is driven to subsist. And a prevalent suspicion has been fixed upon the mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), on the buds and leaves of which the partridge has been supposed to feed in cold weather. But this suspicion appears to be not well founded, since I have observed in experiments made purposely, that the leaves of the kalmia are not particularly poisonous, when taken into the human stomach in any quantity which the bird would be likely to devour; and the crops, when examined in winter, are found to contain leaves and fragments of most of the The President appointed the following Comwild evergreen plants which are in verdure at mittee for nominating officers for the ensuing that time. I have found among other things year; Drs. Goodrich, Monell, Blatchford, portions of leaves of Pyrola, Gaultheria, Diefendorf, Coventry, Purple, Burwell, Smilax, Coptis, Mitchella-also buds of Thompson. Azalea, alder and apple tree, which latter ap- A Committee was appointed to invite the pears to be a favorite food with the partridge. physicians of the Legislature to a seat in the It is, furthermore, not very probable that Society as honorary members, and a Committhe common process of putrid decomposition tee to ask the use of the Assembly Chamber is concerned in producing the noxious effects for the Address of the President on Wednesin question, for this circumstance would be day evening.

The President then delivered his Inaugural Address.

The inaugural address was, on motion of Dr. GOODRICH, referred to the Committee of Publication.

Prof. J. V. LANSING, of New York, and| Dr. ELIAS P. METCALF, of Genesee, took seats as honorary members.

A Committee was appointed to invite the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and members of the Legislature to attend the meetings of the Society.

Dr. SAUNDERS, presented the following, which was adopted:

Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to take into consideration so much of the President's address as relates to post mortem examinations before Coroners and the charges of the same, and that they report at this meeting.

Dr. BLATCHFORD read a biographical sketch of the late Dr. SAMUEL MCCLELLAND, of Rensselaer County.

On the second day of the meeting, there was a discussion on the temperance question, which closed with the following resolution :

Resolved, That, in view of the ravages made upon the morals, health and property of the people of this State, by the use of alcoholic drinks, it is the opinion of the Society that the moral, sanitary and pecuniary condition of the State would be promoted by the passage of a Prohibitory Liquor Law.

Dr. March's discourse is spoken of as excellent. If he writes as well as he operates, it could not fail of being appreciated.

COMMUNICATIONS.

OSSIFICATION OF THE PLEURA.

The body of a female mulatto, about 35 to 40 years old, exhibited the following peculiarities, viz. :-A marked depression of the left side, beginning near the superior border of the mammary gland and axilla and terminating with the lower rib, which, as a consequence, was especially prominent and appeared to be elevated. The sternum being removed, the heart and its surroundings were found to be in a healthy state. The left lung nearly filled the left contracted cavity of the thorax, but was scarcely more than half the size of the right lung. On being removed, it was found to adhere with such tenacity to the entire costal surface that, with the utmost possible care, it was impossible to detach it, without more or less of violence to the organ. This was especially true at the apex, and also below the axilla, where there was found a cavity, of the shape and size of half a common hen's egg divided through the longer diameter, and presenting a distinct and well-defined border; into this oval cup the compressed lung had been crowded, and to its walls it strongly adhered. Near the middle of the organ, in two or three places, were found some very inconsiderable tubercular deposits. Otherwise it appeared healthy.

The right lung was of normal size, but disHomoeopathic Medical Society of New Jer-eased throughout. The apex exhibited several sey. The annual meeting occurred Feb. 3, at cavities from the size of a pea to that of a Trenton. Officers elected for the year en- large chestnut. The middle lobe was hepasuing:-President, Dr. J. R. Andrews, of tized, and both this and the upper lobe were Camden; 1st Vice President, Dr. J. J. Youlin, closely adhering to the costal pleura. Jersey City; 2d do., Dr. John D. Moore, Burlington; 3d do., Dr. James Green, Elizabeth City; Recording Secretary, Dr. J. B. Petherbridge, Hoboken; Provisional Secretary, Dr. R. M. Wilkinson, Bordentown; Corresponding Secretary, Dr. J. B. Scott, Newark; Treasurer, Dr. R. Titsworth, Plainfield.

Board of Censors.-Dr. Thomas Lafon, Newark, Chairman; Dr. J. W. Jackson, Bloomfield; Dr. J. C. Boardman, Trenton; Dr. Chas. E. Blumenthal, New Brunswick: Dr. J. B. Stretch, Salem.

Only the lower lobe was at all pervious to air, and that only in the inferior portion. Some half a dozen straps of false membrane, from

an inch to an inch and a half in length, and from an inch to an inch or more in width, bound it to the costal wall, while a covering of a similar membrane enveloped nearly the whole of the lower lobe, of the thickness of a tanned sheep skin and resembling one in appearance. The right cavity of the chest contained a pint of suo-purulent fluid.

After removing the lungs the left costal wall was found to be peculiarly inflexible. The Bureau of Materia Medica.-Dr. C. E. juxtaposition. intercostals were atrophied and the ribs in close A scalpel being introduced Blumenthal, Chairman; Drs. R. Titsworth of from without, between them, met a resisting Plainfield, Moore of Bridgeton, Ward of New- earthy substance which it could not penetrate. ark, and Bassett of Paterson. In short, nearly the entire left costal pleura

was ossified and solid, of the thickness of stout medical literature of Europe can assume to pasteboard. Scarcely an exception was found, write on medical topics without having perused save the oval space mentioned above, under Dr. Porcher's pages. the axilla, upon the fifth and sixth ribs; and a triangular space of 4 or 5 square inches bounded superiorly by the ossification and inferiorly by the diaphragm and the spine.

This singular specimen of morbid anatomy was presented to Dr. J. S. B. Jackson, Prof. of Morbid Anatomy in the Mass. Medical College. W. BUSHNELL, M. D.

Boston, Feb. 4th, 1857.

(Communicated for the Medical World.) MEDICAL SCRIBBLINGS.

MESSRS. EDITORS: For once I beg you to lay aside your censor scissors, as they brought me in my first communication into some trouble by beheading the same, and spoiling its tail, or giving my initials wrong. I did not intend to write an article on Belladonna, but only to make some remarks on its abuse, or humbug, as a prophylactic against scarlatina. If, by my peculiar way of expression, personal sensibilities have been roused, I cannot help it: literary kid gloves never do good. So does Dr. W. N. Cornell seem to have taken quite an umbrage, and tries to give me a counter handling in No. 18. As, however, he did not contradict my remarks, making only personal allusions, I will give those in substance, and then briefly my answer. He says:

1. That I am at liberty to read those twentyeight pages of Dr. Porcher at his office, and convince myself if he mentioned Hahnemann's name or not.

2. That he finds it much queerer of me to conceal my full name, than of the writer in the Traveller.

3. That he hopes I should not write again without reading first those twenty-eight pages, and then sign my name, so to know by whom he is criticised.

To 1. If Dr. Porcher has mentioned Hahnemann's name or not, it does not affect my remarks. Though his pages may contain some interesting individual observations, yet I acknowledge but one original writer on Belladonna in its relation as prophylactic against scarlatina, and that is Hahnemann.

To 2. I suppose the only reason why the writer in the Traveller and myself withheld our names, was the want of a proper elevation of a certain bump.

To 3. I believe one acquainted with the

This time I must of course sign my full name, yet say in conclusion, that I never criticise persons, but only views and acts. JOSEPH BIRNSTILL.

MEDICINE AND SURGERY IN
BALTIMORE.

MESSRS. EDITORS:-Although not a recognized correspondent by appointment, the communications that have appeared in your columns from several points of compass were of so much interest to me that I have concluded to explain, for the gratification of those who might like to know the medical prospects of this city, in a similar manner.

Baltimore is already a great place. The beauty of its location; its commercial energy; the long line of railroad communications with the interior, together with the industry, wealth, generosity and high-toned character of the penple, indicate a glorious future.

It would be excessively out of reason to oppress you with statistics; to show what the inhabitants have been doing to raise Baltimore to the position it proudly occupies. Rest assured that the medical profession has never been wanting either in talent or skill, in maintaining with dignity, whatever devolved upon them, towards giving a good name and a grace to cultivated society.

Whatever of science may exist in any of the American cities, is especially within the keeping of medical men. Considering the ceaseless demands upon them, it is really extraordinary that they have been able to maintain this general reputation for being the prominent philosophers.

We have capital operating surgeons. It might be improper to designate any one as superior to another, and hence it may be prudent, at least, to mention no one by name. Whatever is accomplished by surgical instru ments anywhere, can be executed here with as much adroitness, and science too, as in Boston, New York or Philadelphia.

The practising physicians of Baltimore have no superiors, nor are they anywhere held in higher estimation for social qualities, and that kindness of heart and consideration for the patient, which endears them to the community. No poor are slighted in their sickness-no rich flattered for the sake of their patronage.

FLOATING

FACTS.

[Presuming these weekly columns of Floating Facts may

fewest words.

Dentistry has more rank here than at the East, South or West. Here is a school for their special education, which long ago was raised by an act of legislation to the dignity of be useful to those collecting materials for publications at a a college, with authority for conferring diplomas. future period on physiological subjects,-medicine, surgery, You must be familiar with its history and char-chemistry, midwifery, and other branches of knowledge acter, from the fact that you very frequently which belong to a course of professional reading,—we have referred to the institution with approbation, adopted this plan of furnishing important matter in the while editing the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. You also know that nearly every work regarded as authority on scientific and mechanical dentistry, emanated from Baltimore. Before I become prosy, allow me to declare upon the word of a patient waiter for patients, that there is no standing room left here for an other. We are too thick and too many for the population. He is in luck who has a broken head to bandage, after sitting in his office two years, like a spider on the web, watching for fly. But Solomon assures us that time and chance happen to all men, so that by the time I am as old as Methuselah, my expectations of a full paying practice may be realized.

In preparing lectures, writing communications for journals, either literary or scientific, an immense amount of matter for strengthening an argument, illustrating propositions, and giving an interest to a variety of topics within the legitimate range of medical studies, may be found in these paragraphs. They are useful for reference, and are certainly more or less instructive, independent of the pleasure derived from the facts they present. We therefore propose to continue this particular feature of THE MEDICAL WORLD, till a majority of its patrons request an alteration.]

Over-working the Brain of Children.-An exchange says that Dr. Robinson is the author of the accompanying remarks, on over-taxing the youthful brain. It is a misfortune not to know what Dr. Robinson, among the hundreds of that name, to express our convictions of the value of his philosophizing.

One of the obstacles in the way of all our prospects in the line of practice, is the inauguration of homoeopathy. How can it be ex- The minds of children ought to be little, if plained that our most intelligent citizens give at all, taxed till the brain's development is them the preference over those who have a hard- nearly completed, or until the age of six or earned reputation of wide renown? No sooner seven years. And will those years be wasted; does one of this new school take a residence, than he goes into an exceedingly profitable practice. Is there no law in this country to put down this Hahnemannism?

This communication has extended over more paper than was contemplated, and yet not a word has been uttered respecting medical lectures, the faculty, the hospital privileges and other things purely professional, which we of the fraternity are curious to know. If this first attempt is received graciously, expect further attentions from,

Sir, your obedient servant, Baltimore, Feb. 10, 1857.

J. W. T., M.D.

or will the future man be more likely to be deficient in mental power than one who is dif ferently treated? Those years will not be wasted. The great book of nature is opened to the infant's andt he child's prying investigation; and from nature's page may be learned more useful information than is contained in all the children's books that have ever been published. But even supposing those years to have been absolutely lost, which is anything but the case, will the child be eventually a loser thereby? We contend, with our author, that he will not. Task the mind during the earlier years, and you only expose the child to a greater risk of a disordered brain-not only, it may be, lay the foundation for a morbid excitability of brain, that may one day end in insanity-but you debilitate its bodily powers, and by so doing, to all intents and purposes, the mind will be a loser in its powers and capabilities.

Mortality among Horses.-According to the London Veterinarian, in estimating the mortality among horses according to age, we find the fewest deaths among nine-year old horses, viz., 51 per 1000. Among those thirteen years old and upwards, 54 per 1000. Tre maxi- Births, Deaths and Marriages in Roxbury. mum of deaths occurred at six years of age,-The city clerk reports the whole number of viz., 83 per 1000. Next to these, come births in 1856, returned to him, as 630; horses of eight years old, 77 per 1000. In the whole number of marriages, 230; and the other ages, the mortality has fluctuated be- whole number of deaths in the same period, tween 60 and 67 per 1000.

403.

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